Photo opportunites in Dallas/Plano area ?

[pchew]

Hi,

I'm travelling to Dallas/Plano area in the end of Oct. Looking for suggestions on places to go for landscape photos, particularly sunrise/sunset with water/lake, etc. I understand that there seems not much landscape to see for a big city so would also like to know places for nature/wildlife/zoo, etc. (hope I don't have to bring my telephoto lens though).

Any other suggestions on things to do or places to visit would also be appreciated.

Thanks

Perry

[Jake]

If you can make one of the Tiger shoots, that is a must do!
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...read.php?t=594

[mivy00]

If you havent been there before the Fort Worth Zoo is fairly good.....
I saw some shots someone was taking of the dallas sky line accross a lake I belive it was by the airport .....someone else could probably give a better discription i'll dig around and see if i can find the thread

[puttingdog]

for the first question, here's my answer->
Dallas has bunch of lakes, I like these two:

White Rock Lake
(near downtown, you can go to the Dallas Arboretum afterward, very near)
http://www.pbase.com/puttingdog/sunset_in_dallas

Cedar Hill State Park
(this is pretty much located at the southwestern part of the big D, around 30mins drive from downtown)
http://www.pbase.com/puttingdog/sunset_in_dallas_2005

never been to any of the zoo in Dallas or Fort Worth so can't answer more, but I would still suggest you to bring your telephoto lens if you're looking to take some nature shots...

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

To be honest Dallas and Ft Worth are not the most scenic cities in the country unless you like slight rolling hills, blackland gumbo prairie, man made lakes, and modern buildings.

I grew up here and love it here but the scenic beauty here is near nill.

Ft Worth Zoo is levels above the Dallas Zoo.

The State Fair of Texas should be going on. One of the Largest State Fairs in the Country and don't think it is all cows and horses, it isn't. Also the Fairgrounds has the largest collection of Public Building ART Deco Structures in the United States and it is worth exploring the Texas Hall of State.

The Arboretum is nice and they should be having a fall colors exhibition going on.

You pretty much will be in an area that is aprox 50 miles wide by 50 miles high with a topographic variance of maybe 100 ft or so.

For a bit of Dallas History there is Old City Park which has buildings that date back to the mid 1850's that were moved there. Old City Park is less than a mile south of Downtown in the Cedars Area which is going through a renesance of artists studios and urban pioneers.

Dallas isn't that old of a city with most of it's development occuring after 1870 when the Railroads came through.

Ft Worth has a more old west feal to it.

Between the 2 cities you have over 6 major museums- Kimball (main collection free to visit), Carter(main collection free to visit), Cowgirl Museum (Not sure if there is a fee to enter or not) and Modern (fee to visit), all right together in Ft Worth. There are also 2 museums in Downtown Ft Worth one a Western Art Collection that was owned by one individual (free to enter) (can't think of his name but the Museum is on Main Street) and then the City History Museum in the old Fire Station which is free.

Dallas has the Dallas Museum of Modern Art which is downtown (fee to enter-$8?), the Nasher Sculpture Garden ($10), The Museum at SMU which has an excellent collection of Spanish art (free), and then the Womens Museum at Fair Park which if the Fair is on may charge a reduced fee for entry.

Don't fail to visit North Park Mall which helped make Mr Nasher rich to be able to afford the art in his Museum- also the art that you see in the mall on the walls and scultpures on display are the real deal-some pieces rotate to the Museum from the Mall and vice a versa. Also there is the Galarea Mall in north Dallas which is based on the design of the famous Galarea shopping area in Milan Italy.

[pchew]

Thanks very much for all your suggestions. You guys are awesom !

Won't to be able get to the tigershoot outing as I have to leave on morning of Oct 29.

Will see if I can have chance to check out the zoo, but then I need to bring my 100-400 which is too heavy. My 85mm/1.8 won't cut it.

puttingdog: I will definitely checkout those 2 lakes you mentioned. The sunset photos in your gallery is what I like to shoot.

DEMDeepEllumMusic: Thanks very much for your detailed introduction of the city. I will do a bit more research based on your pointers and arrange my iternary in one day and a half of lesure time.

Will probably try some street photography this time as I never really tried it before. Maybe I can overcome my shyness to do it in a large city where I don't really know anyone ? :)

Perry

[Jobeye]

In downown Dallas you have the The Dallas World Aquarium. I don' remember what is costs to get but it is well worth it

[rgm-photos]

Perry,

I actually live in Plano and I would gladly offer you more information about this general area. There are about 5 lakes within a 30 min to 1 hour drive from this part of town and I know of a perfect spot for a Texas sunrise. Just PM or email me and we can discuss all the details.

Also, if you are in the Plano area on Monday evening, October 24th, I would like to invite you to the Plano Photography Club's meeting. You can meet a whole handful of photo enthusiast.

[puttingdog]

Originally Posted by rgm-photos

Perry,

I actually live in Plano and I would gladly offer you more information about this general area. There are about 5 lakes within a 30 min to 1 hour drive from this part of town and I know of a perfect spot for a Texas sunrise.

I would like to know, too.....

[pchew]

Thanks, Jobeye. Will check out the Dallas World Aquarium.

Reuben: thanks for your pointer. I arrived in Oct 24 afternoon so won't be able to get together with photogs in Plano. Very interested in the sunrise location you mentioned. Will PM you about that but since other people are interested in it too, you might post it here ?

Thanks

Perry

[rgm-photos]

Perry,

Here are the best two places in Plano to shoot a Texas sunset, especially in October.
1. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve:
Go to the link provided and look at the "Arbor Hills Trail Map in PDF format". They have just built a new Look-out tower that has great views over all the park and nearby neighborhood. ( actually the PM I sent you was about Sunrise and I meant to say Sunset. I guess you could turn around to see the sunrise, except the park might not be open at that time. )


2. Austin Ranch: This is an Urban development about one mile North of Arbor Hills. On the main road, Windhaven Parkway there is a large hill on the North side of the road just after all of the townhome when you head west. Windhaven itself takes a big decline in elevation and this hill goes up even higher. It is just before the railroad tracks. There is no parking lot. I usually drive up on the side of the road, then walk up the hill. Again, this is a sunset view. There is a high tree line at the top ridge of this hill, so you can't get any sunrise views.

3. As for Sunrises... I do alot of camping with my family. I get the best sunrises from the nearby lakes like Lewisville and Ray Roberts. There are several camping parks that offer great views of the East. Here is a shot of a sunrise from Pilot Knoll state park on the west side of Lewisville Lake in Flower Mound.

Good Luck!,

[pchew]

Reuben:

Thanks very much for sharing the locations and related information. I will definitely check it out. Sunset is fine too as I don't have to get up too early. :)

Perry