Rooftops?

[jon_k]

Hi,

I'm curious if anyone has been able to gain access to rooftops in Fort Worth? Did you do it with permission or without?

I'm wondering how much success you'd be able to have by asking building managers for access prior, or if you'd probably have better luck just turning knobs on the roof doors and hoping to get lucky.

If you've done rooftop photography before, let me know how you gained access.

[kyeoman]

I have not done any roof top shooting but I am very interested in it also. If you find out any information please let me know. I would also be interested in going shooting with you sometime if you like.

[veritus]

Originally Posted by jon_k

Hi,

I'm curious if anyone has been able to gain access to rooftops in Fort Worth? Did you do it with permission or without?

I'm wondering how much success you'd be able to have by asking building managers for access prior, or if you'd probably have better luck just turning knobs on the roof doors and hoping to get lucky.

If you've done rooftop photography before, let me know how you gained access.

I've shot some rooftop stuff in Dallas, but never Ft Worth. Hotels are an easy target if you look like you know what you are doing.

[jon_k]

Originally Posted by veritus

I've shot some rooftop stuff in Dallas, but never Ft Worth. Hotels are an easy target if you look like you know what you are doing.

What's "look like you know what you're doing"?

Wear a photographers vest, bring a big tripod and waltz right on to the rooftop? I figure if the said hotel has security cameras then well, I'd hate to confront security who aren't impressed by photography.

If you find out any information please let me know. I would also be interested in going shooting with you sometime if you like.

Definitely, when would be a cool time to go out and take some shots? My interest is downtown fort worth. I'd really like to get on top of the ward building if possible, seems like a good skyline vantage. Let me know what time you might want to meet up and go shoot.

[veritus]

Originally Posted by jon_k

What's "look like you know what you're doing"?

Wear a photographers vest, bring a big tripod and waltz right on to the rooftop? I figure if the said hotel has security cameras then well, I'd hate to confront security who aren't impressed by photography.

lol No. Just be confident. I usually carry a small camera bag and a tripod. Walk into the hotel just like you are staying there. Take the elevators to the top floor and there is normally a set of stairs that will go on up to the roof. You may want to check it out ahead of time. I used this same method to gain access to the roof of Baylor Hospital. I shot for about 2 hours before anyone said anything to me. When I was confronted they said I shouldn't be there, but it was no big deal. I said ok and left.

[jerrykr]

There are a number of public parking garages in Ft Worth. Just drive up, or if it's not public take the elevators to the top. Be prepared to pay to "park" when you leave if in your car.

[J Eddington]

A couple of months ago we went with a group of photograhpers and shot off the roof of the Renaissance Hotel (pool is on the roof). Before we arrived we called asked for the manager on duty and told him what we were doing and asked permission. He had us check in at the front desk so he knew we were on site and to notify security that it was OK. We then shot for about 2 hours.

[LORatliff]

Do you have a buddy who lives in a high rise?

I live in a 17-story high rise in the uptown Dallas area and have some pretty phenomenal downtown views from my roof. Plus, seeing as all units in the building are privately owned condos, going up to the roof isn't an issue.

[jon_k]

Originally Posted by LORatliff

Do you have a buddy who lives in a high rise?

I live in a 17-story high rise in the uptown Dallas area and have some pretty phenomenal downtown views from my roof. Plus, seeing as all units in the building are privately owned condos, going up to the roof isn't an issue.

Unfortunately not. I know Trinity Terrace is an apartment complex but I'm unsure if tenants are allowed roof access. The Montgomery Plaza building is now being turned into condos and such, and I've seen pictures on their roof -- they have tables etc. Perhaps I can obtain access there.

[rdcole]

Security has asked me to leave from several of the public parking garages in downtown Ft Worth. Fortunately I had already taken the photos I wanted to take...

[jon_k]

Originally Posted by rdcole

Security has asked me to leave from several of the public parking garages in downtown Ft Worth. Fortunately I had already taken the photos I wanted to take...

Thats real crap for them to do that. Stupid rent-a-cops spoiling the fun. I haven't been stopped yet, thankfully!

Funny your "Bass Hall at Night" looks a lot like mine.


Would have probably got the exact same shot had I a fish eye. ;-)

[Dokk]

I got chased off the top of the parking garage at Northeast mall by one of their guards citing security reasons. I was facing away from the mall at the time too. They have a no photography on site policy so "terrorists can't size them up". They won't even listen to the argument that I could stand across the street and take all the pix I want and they can't do anything about it.

BTW, if you're going on rooftops or highrises, be aware that a lot of those doors that lead out onto the rooftops automatically lock when they close trapping you up there until security/police arrive.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by Dokk

BTW, if you're going on rooftops or highrises, be aware that a lot of those doors that lead out onto the rooftops automatically lock when they close trapping you up there until security/police arrive.

Good to know!

[rdcole]

Jon, The last garage was the night of the Bass Hall shot.
There was a full moon and I was switching lenses from Wide Angle to Telephoto when the rent a cop came and told me to leave. The Bass Hall Lens was a Tamron 11-18mm Zoom.
Thats Ok Ill be back this fall when the weather is cooler... I'm a Wide Angle Fan.

I have more stories but not in public..

[jon_k]

Originally Posted by rdcole

Jon, The last garage was the night of the Bass Hall shot.
There was a full moon and I was switching lenses from Wide Angle to Telephoto when the rent a cop came and told me to leave. The Bass Hall Lens was a Tamron 11-18mm Zoom.
Thats Ok Ill be back this fall when the weather is cooler... I'm a Wide Angle Fan.

I have more stories but not in public..

Luckily didn't run in to a guard on my expedition. Sometimes guards can be cool, sometimes they're total jerks. It depends on if they think they'll get in trouble by letting you poke around I think. If they let you stick around and you did bad stuff, then their job is at stake. Totally understandable but way to ruin a shoot session. If you can simply assure them that you wont touch anything or dangle over the edge of the garage then you might talk them in to staying.

If you want to get together sometime to go shooting let me know!