Hints and tips in Las Vegas

[flyinfordson]

Guys

Im away on hols in Vegas next months and I'll be taking my new D50 on it's first jolly!

All I have at the moment is the kit lens and nothing else. I was wondering if there was any other equipment I should consider taking on the trip in the way of filters and the like?

Also, any tips on taking photo's in the city - particularly regarding the bright lights at night both outside and in the casino's itself (I know I'll need to ask permission to take photo's in many casinos). I don't particularly want to be carrying a tripod round though......

I'll also be visiting the Grand Canyon too - another great photo oppotunity - but how do I capture the sense of depth and sheer size of it?

Any advice of a novice??

Cheers
Dave

[pixelpixel]

Please this is not taking the mick. But one thing I have learned is ALWAYS have my camera with me. I have missed some amazing pictures in the past.

[BananaTiger]

Not really a photo hint, but don't forget Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. The lightshow there, and the neon lights, should make some nice photos.

[Pirate!!]

On a more basic level, I would suggest setting the camera to auto and let it do the business.

Vegas comes to life at night, and with all the neon and characters about (Elvis lookalikes etc), setting it up might result in the opportunity being lost. I've captured some wonderful images using a very old P&S camera (before I got my DSLR), but that said, the free hotel shows (such as the fountains at Bellagio, the Volcano, Pirates show and others on the strip) might give you a little time to manually adjust the cameras settings.

The hotel exteriors are something to behold, particulary New York, New York and the Paris. The strip is about 6 miles long, so make sure you keep out the the sun (you are in the middle of the desert after all) and duck and dive into the hotels to cool off.

The gondolas at the Venetian are nice, but if you do a night helicopter flight over the strip . . . wow! Grand Canyon . . . oh wow! Enjoy Vegas baby and post some images when you get back broke!

And yes, make sure you ask first if photos are permitted in the hotels.

[MarkE19]

The fountains at Bellagio - excellent photos to be had here. Make sure you visit during daylight and after dark as the atmosphere and effect really does change.
The Volcano at The Mirage is so, so tacky and absolutely brilliant . You should get some good shots of this and using a higher ISO should bring out the colours better (also good for the night shots of the fountains above).
The Pirate Show at Treasure Island, well all I can really say is that it is another tacky (and oh so typical of Vegus ) show. Still, for a free show it is well worth a look (and pic or two).
The Stratosphere is great for views over Vegus and well worth the cost of the trip up the tower IMO. Get snap happy from up there.
The Fremont Street Light Show is well worth going downtown for. Unfortunately I find the canopy has totally blocked out the great views of the closely packed together Casinos with their excellent neon lighting. I'm lucky to have gotten some excellent shots before the canopy went up.

Oh its been far too long since my last visit to Vegus. I've got to go back even if it is just to pay them back the money I 'borrowed' from the last visit to the casinos (well the chances of winning money 2 visits running must be next to zero).

Mark.

[Johndm]

Originally Posted by flyinfordson

Guys



I'll also be visiting the Grand Canyon too - another great photo oppotunity - but how do I capture the sense of depth and sheer size of it?

Any advice of a novice??

Cheers
Dave

Photography not allowed on the Casino floors which is a shame coz they are a stunning light show....

Fly the GC from GC airport, take a Scenic Tours aircraft flight rather than a Helecopter. Much better for pics in the aircraft, its much smoother and has BIG windows.

I don't think any photo will ever capture the GC.....wait till you see it with your own eyes. My missus cried first time she saw it for real..

Get over to Death Valley if you can....stunning landscape there too.
And the Hoover Dam.
And
And
And...........................

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Bulder Dam is around 20-30 mins drive and is pretty photogenic. Grand Canyon around Vegas where the heli tours take you isn't that pretty...although it's worth the trip. I'd suggest trying to get a polarisor and seeing if you can get a window seat on plane to get shot of the place when you come in or leave (if it's daytime when you fly over Grand Canyon it's pretty awe inspiring)

Red Rock Canyon out other way is nice if weather is good and you like rocks...Lake Mead area by Dam other way again is pretty photogenic.

However, as has been said it's at night that the Casino's shine. I'd go up Stratosphere, go on to BIG SHOT to get outside and take camera to get some shots over city at night. Or, if you are up for it go to the rof top bar at The Palms (where Britney got married) Great views outside there at night...and it's pretty jumping if you hang around....

G

[Cadire]

I know you don't want to be carting a tripod around with you, but I'd suggest that one night you take yourself west along the highway (towards Los Angeles). There's a point, a few miles out, where you can see Las Vegas in all its glory.

I believe there's a camera shop in the old section where you can hire a tripod (near the Golden Nugget if I remember correctly) if you don't want to take your own.

The Golden Nugget itself is pretty spectacular at night, well worth spending some time outside there and the surrounding buildings.

The Grand Canyon is spectacular, but everyone seems to take their pictures from the same place (where the tour buses and aircraft park). I'd strongly advise you to go down into the Canyon itself on an organised trip (on a donkey no less!). Be aware it does get very hot down there, even in November.

The Hoover dam is quite impressive, but there are lots (and lots) of power lines all around, which rather spoils the view (yes I know that's why it was built ). If you go across the dam, and up over the hill there is some marvellous swathes of desert... with cacti just like in the Westerns!

I'd say a polarising filter is a must, as is a lens hood.

Have a great time!

[D-an-W]

I don't think you can take your Camera in but the "Coyote Ugly" club in New York New York HAS to be on your todo list

[beachy]

Originally Posted by flyinfordson

Guys

Im away on hols in Vegas next months and I'll be taking my new D50 on it's first jolly!

All I have at the moment is the kit lens and nothing else. I was wondering if there was any other equipment I should consider taking on the trip in the way of filters and the like?

Also, any tips on taking photo's in the city - particularly regarding the bright lights at night both outside and in the casino's itself (I know I'll need to ask permission to take photo's in many casinos). I don't particularly want to be carrying a tripod round though......

I'll also be visiting the Grand Canyon too - another great photo oppotunity - but how do I capture the sense of depth and sheer size of it?

Any advice of a novice??

Cheers
Dave

don't forget plenty of memory, going all that way you would'ent want to run out, you can pick up a 1gb sandisk ultra 2 card for about £25 at most online shops now, and as already mentioned a lens hood as it will be very bright out there.

[flyinfordson]

Great advice guys thanks alot.

Should I get any pic's worth posting - I will do.

[electrolyte]

Another good photogenic place is the view from the VooDoo Lounge on the top of Rios. This offers a better view than from the top of the Stratosphere IMO as it has an open air terrace where you can sip a nice drink while taking in the views. Would make a great place for a romantic date if you're taking the Mrs.

I would also second the fountains at the Bellagio. You get a good view of them at night from the top of the Effifel Tower across the street at Paris. Plus all the other tips as well (Red Rock, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon)

I last went to Vegas in 2000 before I'd got into photography and it is somewhere I'd love to go back to now. Have a great time and don't lose too much money! Plus remember that the only people who get rich in a casino are the owners of the casino!

One thing I would recommend is to take a limo as most casinos offer them for hire at prices not much more than a cab fare especially if there are a few of you in your party. Plus we hired a Ford Mustang Convertible for $50 for a day from Bally's (the hotel we were staying in) to go to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. So hire cars are really cheap.

[Chris Muriel]

A work colleague happened (on business) to be there earlier this year at the time the annual porn film industry awards were on.
He came back with some most interesting photos

Chris Muriel, Manchester

[barongreenback]

Honest opinion? I love Vegas, I've been about 6 times now (first being in 1982 - beat that Casino fans! ), I've done the canyons, the helicopter flights, the shows etc etc. I also equally love my photography. That said, I would really just take a simple point and shoot and get on with enjoying the place. I know there is an immense satisfaction in taking your own shots but the personal ones i.e. if someone is going along with you, can be taken perfectly well on a P&S. If there is a 'to die for' shot, I guarantee you can pick it up for a few dollars in the Caesars Forum.

Probably not the answer you'd hoped for in a photography forum

[Shady]

...and remember to take a trip on the road out of Vegas at the New York/ MGM end of the strip. Drive for about half a mile or so and you come across the famous diamond 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign. You can turn in here (do a U turn), which takes you round the sign, so if you 'wait for traffic' you can spend a few seconds lining up your shot. If not, spin round and try again - that's what we did...

Remember that it only says 'Welcome to...' on the other side of the sign i.e. when entering Vegas, so keep an eye out for it - we missed it first time and got it on the way back.

We stopped in New York / New York and you have to take a shot of the Statue of Liberty - looks great in the day with a blue sky (using it as my wallpaper at the moment), also they seemed quite relaxed about taking pictures inside the casino.

The gondalos (sp) in the Ventian are also worth a look, the lighting inside is incredible - should be good for a few shots.

And as for the GC, just let the camera do the talking and take loads - you can sort out what looks best afterwards.But do put the camera down for a while and just take it all in.

Cheers