Las Vegas - What to shoot?? Tips...

jonathan_ed

jonathan_ed

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Jonathan
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Hi all! :)

I am off to las vegas in just over a week for a fortnight.

I am taking my 40d, 17-70 f2.8/4, 70-200 f2.8, tripod, and associated bits and bobs, and a my flash gun.

I'll be there for two weeks, with the first week being a road trip (Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park) then the second week on the strip.

has anyone been togging there before?

Anyone got any tips, what you i look out for, any particualr things that are 'not to miss'??

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
 
I have been to las vegas twice now and there are so many nice places for images just make sure you have enough memory :D

If you can try and go to the top of the stratosphere hotel. From here you will have an aerial view of the whole strip.

The canyon is good to shoot if you are getting there by helicopter.

Also check out old vegas too to see the "real vegas" at Fremont street.

Enjoy.
 
The 'Secret' Zoo at the back of Mirage, there's a dolphin pool that you can get right next to if you're into that sort of thing.

Definitely get up the Stratosphere, if you can get there at sunset it's an even better view.

Hoover Dam's great but i felt i wasted too much time doing the tour, there's not that much to see down at the bottom where the generators are so unless you're really curious as to how it was built etc (it's not that interesting) i'd stay at top shooting, i wish i did as our tour didn't really allow time for both.

And i'll second Freemont Street, don't wander too far off it at night though it's not a nice area.

Every hotel is like a theme park so explore, Venetian and Paris really stood out for me.

I'm envious i'd love to go again, have a great time.
 
Over there in January, I drove through the desert, got to the West Rim of the canyon very early, between 7 and 8, ahead of the crowds, buses. Skipped the Sky Walk, no cameras or mobiles allowed onto it, have to use a locker, prices for their pics are incredibly high, flight down, then a boat ride, triffic,
Jim
 
In case you don't know, do not try taking pictures in any of the casino gambling floors. They don't take kindly to it. At best you'll get a polite 'you can't do that here Sir', at worst you'll be carted out by 2 large gentlemen with 9mm pistols on their hip. Trust me!
 
Did the AK47, Uzi 9mm, Colt 45 magnum sooo many to choose from.
The missus did the girls selection which they do cheap.
 
To reiterate, don't stray off the Strip or Freemont Street at night. Lots of skint undesirables looking for unsuspecting visitors. You'd need a month just in and around the Strip to do it justice with Camera in hand. I found that inside the hotels were just as rewarding as outside. The Venitian at night is a close rival if not better at night than the Belagio. They're not as strict now about photography in the casinos because there are so many phone cams about these days but be discrete about it anyway. Handy to know that drink is still free if you're gambling but service can be a bit sporadic unless you tip well.:lol: Still, a Canadian Club and Ginger Ale 'cost' me $2 in tip and I was only playing the cent machine.:) Be careful of those big Margaritas too if you don't want to loose an afternoon like I did. Geez those things are big :lol: Watch out for an exhibition by photographer William Carr. He has some shops in the malls where he exhibits large acrylic images. Beautiful work I must say. :clap: The Mirage lions were good but a longish fast lens is needed as it's quite shaded in there. The Dolphins are good too with big windows allowing an under water view. Flamingos can be seen at,...well where else....the Flamingo:lol: Mandalay Bay has the shark tank and again a fast lens is needed but maybe not as long as that needed for the lions and cats. Last but not least a tip out to the big 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign at night is a must but be prepared to wait for the right moment when no one is in the frame to catch your shot. It does get busy at times. Hope this helps. Can you take me in your suit case please????:love:
 
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