Photo opportunities not to miss in Las Vegas?
Jan 29th, 2004, 03:32 PM
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Photo opportunities not to miss in Las Vegas?
I'm off to Las Vegas on a business trip in a few weeks. It's not my favorite destination, but I think it'll be a good location for my hobby of photography. I would welcome any and all suggestions of photos ops and locations--day or night--not to miss.
Jan 29th, 2004, 03:38 PM
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Skyline of the New York hotel. The Bellagio (sp?) fountain - you can do so much with this one. And of course the real lions at MGM. And the white tigers and lions at Mirage - if they still have those.
Jan 29th, 2004, 07:24 PM
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I've always wanted to take (sneak) a camera on the Big Shot at Stratosphere, then snap a pic at the zenith of the ride. Amazing views from 1200 feet above the desert with what looks like nothing below you. I'd only risk a cheap camera though.
Jan 29th, 2004, 08:25 PM
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Great views looking down on the fountains from the pedestrian overpass on Flamingo, Between Bellagio and Ballys.
The overpass between Trasure Island and The Venetian offers a sweeping panorama looking south at Mirage, CP etc.
The overpass between Trasure Island and The Venetian offers a sweeping panorama looking south at Mirage, CP etc.
Jan 30th, 2004, 05:25 AM
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I also am a big photo guy and have lots of Vegas pics. I second the Rio idea. I did some night photography from the top where you can go outside. The top of the Eifel tower is a good view but you take pics through a chain link fence. It can be done. Lots of things around Paris, NYNY and the walkway/overpasses. Of course, the Mirage volcano is a must. Freemont street at night is kind of cool. You can go into the Alladin and take pictures with real live Genies. Hoover Dam offers lots of photo ops. I also like the animatronics shows in the Forum shops...wow I guess there is a bunch.
Have Fun!
Have Fun!
Jan 30th, 2004, 08:29 AM
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Howard,
My own trip to Las Vegas was for business, and it was 6 years ago (before some of the casinos were built), but I did have some time for photography. I second the Red Rocks Canyon idea (early morning), which I think I already mentioned by e-mail. You can get lots of Joshua trees for foreground; make sure to use a small aperture for good depth of field. If you use a long shutter speed on shots of the Luxor, you can get the whole thing outlined in light (it is probably even better though at dusk). Definitely the top of the Stratosphere - get someone to take a photo of you riding it - quite a ride. I like the walkway down around NYNY. The fountain at Caesars is good. One of the toughest spots to get good photos is the pirate show - too many people. Go before dark for better shots. Fremont Street is good for neon signs and the light show. Hoover Dam if you have time. I am sure Paris and the Venetian are worthwhile, but alas, they weren't there when I went. Take a tripod if you have one, especially for the canyon. You really don't need one for the neon signs, but it will help for any long exposures (I shot at up to 30 seconds on some frames), and it really is easy to use one there. It seemed like everyone was carrying a camera.
My own trip to Las Vegas was for business, and it was 6 years ago (before some of the casinos were built), but I did have some time for photography. I second the Red Rocks Canyon idea (early morning), which I think I already mentioned by e-mail. You can get lots of Joshua trees for foreground; make sure to use a small aperture for good depth of field. If you use a long shutter speed on shots of the Luxor, you can get the whole thing outlined in light (it is probably even better though at dusk). Definitely the top of the Stratosphere - get someone to take a photo of you riding it - quite a ride. I like the walkway down around NYNY. The fountain at Caesars is good. One of the toughest spots to get good photos is the pirate show - too many people. Go before dark for better shots. Fremont Street is good for neon signs and the light show. Hoover Dam if you have time. I am sure Paris and the Venetian are worthwhile, but alas, they weren't there when I went. Take a tripod if you have one, especially for the canyon. You really don't need one for the neon signs, but it will help for any long exposures (I shot at up to 30 seconds on some frames), and it really is easy to use one there. It seemed like everyone was carrying a camera.
Jan 30th, 2004, 12:18 PM
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I gave this answer last February. I don't think number 4 applies anymore since that moving walkway is now in the same area as the construction of the Forum Shops expansion. The rest are still valid:
Message: This message might get long-winded, so I apologize in advance.
Photography is one of my hobbies, and I have gone out many evenings taking night shots. Usually, I will find one subject and take 1/2 to 1 roll of film per subject trying differnt light and time exposure settings. One thing that I have found is that I continuously underestimate the amount of ambient light. Set the time for the exposure a little less than you think you will need. Also, close your aperture a little more than you think is appropriate. In most cases, the buildings are all floodlit, so this provides more light than you think is available.
Here are a few of my favorite spots:
1) The "Welcome To Las Vegas" sign. It is located on the strip, south of Mandalay Bay. There is a large median on which you can set your tripod up without worrying too much about traffic.
2)The volcano at the Mirage, both erupting and simply floodlit. Try setting up on the south side of it with Treasure Island in the background.
3) The neon sign on the Flamingo hotel as taken from in front of Caesars Palace. Nothing says "Vegas" like pink neon!
4) The strip, looking south, from the moving walkway into Caesars. There are three walkways. Take the one in the middle of the block directly across from the Flamingo. About halfway in to the hotel, the moving walkway comes to an end. You will find yourself on an elevated concrete deck where another walkay begins to complete the journey into the casino. From this deck you should get a pretty good shot looking south to Paris. Construction of the new "Coliseum" sometimes messes this shot up.
5) A view of the entire strip. If you have a good telephoto lens, try driving out near the Red Rock Canyon area via the 215 "beltway". This area of town is largely under construction, and you can easily pull off the road and setup just about anywhere, since it's not largely developed. For a closer view of the strip, try the top level of the airport parking garage. This is a popular spot for locals who watch New Year's fireworks without having to brave the strip. The view from up there is mostly unobstructed.
6) Almost any view from the top of level of a parking garage for that matter. You can get some good shots from the garage at the Rio, Caesars, and if I remember correctly, the Golden Nugget downtown, to name a few.
Sorry if I rambled on too long.
Message: This message might get long-winded, so I apologize in advance.
Photography is one of my hobbies, and I have gone out many evenings taking night shots. Usually, I will find one subject and take 1/2 to 1 roll of film per subject trying differnt light and time exposure settings. One thing that I have found is that I continuously underestimate the amount of ambient light. Set the time for the exposure a little less than you think you will need. Also, close your aperture a little more than you think is appropriate. In most cases, the buildings are all floodlit, so this provides more light than you think is available.
Here are a few of my favorite spots:
1) The "Welcome To Las Vegas" sign. It is located on the strip, south of Mandalay Bay. There is a large median on which you can set your tripod up without worrying too much about traffic.
2)The volcano at the Mirage, both erupting and simply floodlit. Try setting up on the south side of it with Treasure Island in the background.
3) The neon sign on the Flamingo hotel as taken from in front of Caesars Palace. Nothing says "Vegas" like pink neon!
4) The strip, looking south, from the moving walkway into Caesars. There are three walkways. Take the one in the middle of the block directly across from the Flamingo. About halfway in to the hotel, the moving walkway comes to an end. You will find yourself on an elevated concrete deck where another walkay begins to complete the journey into the casino. From this deck you should get a pretty good shot looking south to Paris. Construction of the new "Coliseum" sometimes messes this shot up.
5) A view of the entire strip. If you have a good telephoto lens, try driving out near the Red Rock Canyon area via the 215 "beltway". This area of town is largely under construction, and you can easily pull off the road and setup just about anywhere, since it's not largely developed. For a closer view of the strip, try the top level of the airport parking garage. This is a popular spot for locals who watch New Year's fireworks without having to brave the strip. The view from up there is mostly unobstructed.
6) Almost any view from the top of level of a parking garage for that matter. You can get some good shots from the garage at the Rio, Caesars, and if I remember correctly, the Golden Nugget downtown, to name a few.
Sorry if I rambled on too long.
Jan 31st, 2004, 05:14 AM
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I looked up and took a picture of the statues on the top in the front on the Monte Carlo against a astormy sky....it came out as a very dramatic, beautiful shot....also got a whimsical photo of the In & Out burger joint with a rainbow in the sky....we don't have those so it was neat for us....
Jun 6th, 2013, 05:18 AM
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Does anyone have suggestions for good "arty" photo ops outside of Vegas? I particularly would like to shoot sand dunes and abstract images - rock formations, etc - not the "postcard" type shots.
Thanks
Jerry
Thanks
Jerry
