Need suggestions for a "typical downtown" location

[richardsfault]

A model wants to shoot somewhere downtown Friday morning. My downtown shooting experience is limited to a 2007 weekend event that centered around the Hard Rock Cafe / theatre district and moved around several blocks.

This will be a non-commercial Strobist-style shoot with at most a single flash on a stand.

The chosen area should be suitable for a weekday morning and ideally free of undesirable onlookers and "killjoys" such as security guards and police.

Would the area I mentioned above be as good a choice as any?

[Monreal]

If you shoot near the Hard Rock Cafe, right across from there is a plaza that is very nice for an urban feel. I would also take a walk down Main street along the Metro Rail, if you have a short enough DOF, on-lookers would add to the urban feel. A great shot would be a photo of her with a blurred Metro Rail zooming by behind her. Hope this helps

I'd use the 50 1.4 and 85 once you get a crowd. BTW I don't think people will be standing and looking the whole time, people do shoots in downtown all the time,,,

[Monreal]

these were taken on Main St

[tukaniray]

Nice photos Michael.

And I agree about people not minding you shoot downtown. There isn't anyone bothering you when you shoot. And the police and security usually just ask what you are shooting and get intrigued. There are a few buildings that are very conscious about shooting their building ... but I think if you stay around the rail, you should be fine.

Also look for the small parks in there with the fountains and such. Real nice shooting location for downtown. Used by Many ... but you may see your shots differently then others.

Good luck with your shooting.

-Ray-

[richardsfault]

Thanks for the ideas.

FWIW, I generally try and avoid including others in my images unless there is some specific reason to do so.

[tukaniray]

If you do it on a Sunday ... there are a whole lot less people downtown.

-Ray-

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by tukaniray

Nice photos Michael.
And I agree about people not minding you shoot downtown. There isn't anyone bothering you when you shoot. And the police and security usually just ask what you are shooting and get intrigued. There are a few buildings that are very conscious about shooting their building ... but I think if you stay around the rail, you should be fine.

That was pretty much my experience during the 2007 shoot. One uptight guard in front of one building was about it.

During that shoot and few other times where I went there for indoor shoots, I was surprised with how quiet and calm downtown can be.

[mkweaver]

Down to the side of the Wortham Theater is a neat place with staircase, waterfall, etc. Great for early morning light, but good evening, too. Bayou there, with walkways. We didn't have any trouble with people or security on Sunday morning when we were doing a family shoot.

[richardsfault]

I've shot several downtown locations with a Meetup group and am now much more familiar:

Photo Shoot at Tranquility Park - 09.19.2010

Zombie Photo Shoot - 10.24.2010

Skyline Photo Shoot - 11.07.2010

Dog Walking Fashion Photo Shoot - 11.21.2010

The only problem encountered at all of these was a pissy bank building guard at 1000 Main.

Downtown is one of the most peaceful places to shoot on a Sunday.

[Steelsun]

Yeah - I often go Sunday mornings - nice abandoned DT feel for a few hours after sunrise, then hit nearby Glenwood cemetery for some more shooting.