This crash test is about how I’m going to take great photos of New York City!
I’m about to spend just 6 days in New York and I want to come home with something better than the touristy snapshots I took 6 years ago.
How’s this for a shocker?
Just recently I had a coffee with photographer Rachel Devine while the CrashKids turned her kids’ playroom upside down.
You may know Rachel from her blog Sesame Ellis. She has also published a book called Beyond Snapshots with friend and Kiwi photographer Peta Mazey.
I’m in the process of reading this book from cover to cover and I’m lapping it up. This book gets me. And it’s going to help me take amazing photos of New York.
Rachel has given me some great advice from her own experiences taking photos in New York. Here’s some areas I needed a little help:
Creativity
I explained to Rachel that I wanted to capture the feel of New York, not just all the typical tourist shots. “Street Photography”, she said. Yes, that’s it! This is the photo I’m currently using as my personal FB cover image – this is the side of New York I want to capture.
I can’t find the original source for this image anywhere :(
I’m staying in Greenwich Village so I’ll be pounding the pavements, strolling along the Chelsea Highline and taking a few random turns here and there. Rachel told me she once turned a corner and came across a crime scene (a burgulary) and got an amazing shot of shattered glass on the road, police cars and crime scene tape everywhere. The stuff we see on the movies and TV everyday, it happens in New York – every day!
Technical stuff
I have a Canon 1000D, a very entry level DSLR. I’ve managed to take some pretty good photos with it using my prime 50mm lens. Which is just as well because my kit zoom lens was the victim of CrashBoy’s curiosity and now looks a little like this!
. . . you leave your SLR camera on the table and go and answer the phone
Rachel has recommended one of her favourite lenses to me. It’s the Tamron 17-55mm F2.8 constant. Unfortunately here in Australia it will set you back almost $700. Lucky for me I’m going to the US where they are significantly cheaper. I’m still not sure if my budget will stretch, but I have a cunning plan. If I can’t buy a lens I can rent the equivalent Canon lens from Adorama for $60!
If I manage to take really amazing photos then I might be able to convince CrashHubby that the Tamron is totally worth it. So make sure you go ga-ga over my NY photos – OK? ;)
Technique
I totally have my hand up when asked “Who doesn’t understand much about photography?” But I’m not shooting completely on Auto. I have a basic understanding of aperture and shutter speed, and thanks to Beyond Snapshots I kinda understand ISO now.
This trip is going to be a real test of whether or not I can put it all together to take some really amazing shots. Luckily I’ll have Rachel and Peta’s book to help my out. There are chapters on different type of photo situations and they even provide the settings on their cameras used for each shot. There’s also a cool chart that I’m going to copy and reference (a lot) which helps you with the whole ‘exposure triangle’ thingy.
Hopefully when I get back I’ll actually know what I’m talking about. Just to be sure I’m going to try and get to Adorama’s Blographer Event
Blographer is a full-day gathering for serious bloggers focusing on photography education, creative tips and techniques, and strategies for successful photo blogging.
Rachel is speaking so I’ll get to pick her brains again ;)
::
So there you have it, the research has been done, the challenge has been set. I’m off to New York and I’m going to bring it home for you.
Have you been to New York? Did you come home with dodgy tourist shots?
Laney x
Hey guess who’s birthday it is on Sunday? Crash Test Mummy turns one year old on the 29th of July! How exciting is that? Well I have a super duper Blog Birthday Bonanza planned for you. There is almost $1500 worth of prizes. Pop on over to FB and like the Crash Test Mummies page so you don’t miss out when it goes live on Sunday. Or you can subscribe to the weekly email updates and you’ll get it delivered straight to your inbox on Sunday morning :)
Want a sneak peak? Of course you do ;)
Flogging my blog with Grace at With Some Grace :)
Good on you for being inspired to take great shots!!! They will be something you treasure for years to come!!! Wish I was coming along, maybe next year!
Definitely go next year! If you’ve got any tips for me I’d love to hear them :)
I can’t wait to see your pics and live vicariously through your visit ;) If I win lotto this weekend I am there. – If not I am looking forward to your tips as I just got a new camera and am trying to work out how to use it. I didnt know you could hire lenses so thanks for that tip it is a great one.
K x
Kyrstie @ A Fresh Legacy’s last post..Chicken Haloumi Skewers
Good luck with Lotto! What camera did you get? Hiring lenses here in AU looks to be quite expensive. US is much cheaper!
Have a great trip! So exciting for ou! :) oh, I forget you are just turning one… Seems like you are an experienced blogger already! That’s a great giveaway. If I don’t say so in time, happy blog birthday!
Ai Sakura’s last post..10 Things to Tell Your Kids about MISTAKES
Thanks Ai – can’t believe it has been a year. It’s gone by very quickly!
Oh you’re staying in Greenwich Village – perfect!! Have an amazing time Laney, and I bet you come back with some kick ass piccies!
Kelly Exeter’s last post..Travelling – I am not a fan
I love Greenwich Village and that whole area really! I hope I don’t disappoint with my pics ;)
Can’t wait to see what pics you bring back!
Drivelology’s last post..I do declare it Eye Roll Day
Thanks!
I am excited to see your pics! I’m not a huge photo person. A point and snap does the job for me, but I love seeing other people’s creativity in it.
And I’m totes jealous of you too, just FYI ;)
I’m pretty much a point and snapper, but am really liking that I can get creative. I’m no good at other arty stuff like drawing, so maybe this will be my outlet! Make it happen next year Jess – BlogHer12 here you come ;)
Ooooo wish I was going too! Look forward to seeing your New York photos!
Nicole’s last post..Image copyright and the blogger
I’ll be nervous having a photographer looking at my photos! But you’re welcome to of course :)
Great post Laney. My photography skills are very ordinary (at least) and I have a fancy camera on my wish list. Can’t wait to see your NY pics
Alli @ Ducks on the Dam’s last post..Holiday mode
I don’t think fancy cameras are the be all and end all. I think a grasp of the concepts are actually more important to me. I’ve had a DSLR for a few years now and I’ve got a long way to go. Rachel’s book is an eye opener!
Awesome, Laney! Greenwich Village is full of life and amazing photo opportunities!
I had the privilege to hear Rachel speak at Blogopolis. She truly was inspiring.
Enjoy the Big Apple!
I love Greenwich Village so I was so excited we found somewhere to stay there. I’m going to do a lot of walking around!
Hi, I just recently found your blog. I was inspired by your post to have a look at some pics i took when I was in NY in the nineties. Happy to report most were ok, mostly of landmarks as i was travelling alone. Enjoy NY! i’m looking forward to see your pics !
Welcome to the blog and well done on the photos! I’m getting so excited about walking around on my own, snapping away :)
Will be living vicariously through your blog, babe. That’s okay, isn’t it?!
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Absolutely! I can only afford to go because of the support of my lovely readers – I’m happy to have you along :)
How exciting!! Terribly envious and will be reading your and others posts ravenously!!
All photography tips welcome here, taking photos and showing them is one of the best bits about blogging.
Seana Smith’s last post..A Healthy Breakfast from Dinner Leftovers
I’m taking more interest in my photography. Rachel’s book is awesome. So much to learn. One of my goals for my 2nd year of blogging is better photos!
Wish I had read this before going abroad… my photos are pretty terrible!! These are great tips…
Just soak it up and my advice would be to take lots of videos… they really transport you back to where you were!!
Im sure you will have a blast while you are there (so jealous!) cant wait to follow you on your adventures!! xxxx
Java Jane’s last post..The joy, oh the joy – A happy reunion
Great tips on taking videos. I’ll have to make sure I’ve got room on my iPhone!
Good luck! I’ve just bought a Canon 5D (it’s so beautiful, I just want to caress it every day) and I get so excited by street photography it kills me.
Last time I was in New York was 2001 (a few weeks after 9/11) I didn’t even have a digital camera then so the shots I took with my analog nothing were really quite bad. I’ll have to dredge them up one day in my analog photo album under the bed – there are some OK ones of some 9/11 memorials but I COULDN’T bring myself to photograph anything near Ground Zero – it was still upsetting and I’m superstitious or something.
Nothing like a good lens! The 1000D should take some great photos! New York is such an inspiring place – I look forward to seeing your shutterbuggery (oh dear, that didn’t come out right).
I would LOVE to go to Adorama – totally envious right about now. Have a great time – sounds like NYC is going to be an absolute blast!
Kx
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Oh, I’m so envious!
I look forward to following your travels and progress! I am so excited for all of our lovely bloggers who are going to have such a great time!
Becky from BeckyandJames.com’s last post..Tides of Change
Thanks for sharing all these tips. I’m bookmarking this for sure. I follow a few Instagrammers who take street scenes of New York and I love the memories it evokes for me. I’m also really enjoying the shots from those of you already in NYC. Truly living vicariously! Travel safe and enjoy!
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I just laughed out loud at your photo, my husband and I have a very similar one we took about six years ago while in NYC. Oh how I love New York!!