Photography over the pond....

Greenie

Greenie

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Greenie
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Hi Guys,

Basically in a week and a half I'm off state side for 12 days. Going out to near Dallas,Texas and just wondered a couple of things since this will be the first time with a DSLR out in US.

I think I understand hand luggage rules, Flying economy with BA, Taking a Tamrac Adventure 9 with D70s/18-70/70-300/Nifty(plus filters/spare cards/battery) I was think of taking charger in hold bag. This should be okay?

My other question is regarding photography in a public place. I know theres been much Hooharr in the UK with police confronting photographers. Obviously I'll want to take pictures in Dallas Centre and obviously their police have guns so I don't want to be in any sort of "bad" situation!:shake:

Any other points I should know from people who have been state side?

Obviously this might sound abit cautious but I don't want to get in any bother...

Thanks!
 
As for hand luggage - you can take a reasonably large camera bag (check with the airline website for max weight and size) and a smaller additional bag that will fit under the seat in front of you.

As an example I travel with 2 Peli cases. The biggest being 54x 43x 22 cms and with gear its a little over 11kgs. If you show the airline staff that it's camera equipment in the bags they are generally very good and give you some slack.

As for photography in a public place (like Dallas) - don't worry. Perhaps oddly, the reality (as opposed to news reports etc.) is that the USA isn't as stupid or paranoid as the UK at the moment. If you're not sure about where or what you're taking images of just go up to the first police officer you see and ask them if they're ok with you taking pics. They wont shoot you for that!

Have a good time.
 
Thanks very much, both for the link and the infomation in the last post. It confirmed what I had thought. Going through scanners at Airports, more likely to get searched? Do they check down your camera kit just to make sure your not hiding anything?
 
Greenie said:
Thanks very much, both for the link and the infomation in the last post. It confirmed what I had thought. Going through scanners at Airports, more likely to get searched? Do they check down your camera kit just to make sure your not hiding anything?
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It depends on how tightly packed everything is - if I take a reasonably empty bag then I am fine, but if I pack it with computer kit, 2 bodies, lenses, hard drives etc, then they'll generally want to see inside.

Dallas is awesome - if you like "oldie" stuff, get over to Fort Worth and see the stockyards, it's about 50miles from Dallas town but is well worth the visit. Are you spending all 12 days there?

EDIT: As above, definately check your airlines rules for hand luggage - some offer better size allowance than others (and most are physical size for carry-on, rather than weight) You do not want to be stuck at security after your main bag has gone through already with a camera bag full of kit that they won't allow you to take.
 
Yeah thanks Out lore, Its actually a School Music Dept exchange with Carroll High School, Southlake. We are due to go to Stock yards on the train and were off to the Motor Speedway(but to name a few things)

Thanks for all your advice.
 
Greenie said:
Yeah thanks Out lore, Its actually a School Music Dept exchange with Carroll High School, Southlake. We are due to go to Stock yards on the train and were off to the Motor Speedway(but to name a few things)

Thanks for all your advice.
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Ah, ok. Southlake is more a suburb of Fort Worth, it's a little (10-15 miles) to the NE of Keller, where we are (when in the US) but of course, no one outside of the US really knows where that is!! We tell people Dallas, because if you say "Fort Worth" or "DFW" the answer is always "Where's that?"

Texas Motor Speedway is LOUD. Here's the 1 piece of advice I can give you: TAKE EAR PLUGS!!! You WILL need them (Providing they are racing NASCAR, I've not been there for any other racing) The racing is awesome, and even with the plugs the sound is absolutley incredible.

Other things to do (if you can):
See a Cowboys game (American Football)
See a Rangers game (Baseball)
See a Mavericks game (Basketball)
Dallas - See where Kennedy was shot
Dallas Museum
Ft Worth Zoo - Dallas has one too but I did not go.

And, if you can bear the music (I love it) you should head to a "dance hall" - Gilleys (Dallas), Billy Bob's (Ft Worth)


I'm sure you'll have a great time.
 
The Family I'm staying with lives in Keller so I'm going to be there next week!

I've been before in 2004, and did Ft Worth zoo, The museum where kennedy was shot. We are going to cowboys stadium.

I just hope theres plenty to take pictures of :) haha I think that won't be a problem!
 
Greenie said:
The Family I'm staying with lives in Keller so I'm going to be there next week!

I've been before in 2004, and did Ft Worth zoo, The museum where kennedy was shot. We are going to cowboys stadium.

I just hope theres plenty to take pictures of :) haha I think that won't be a problem!
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Unfortunately, we're in the UK until Feb, US is more of a holiday location now really.

The new stadium was still being built when I was last there - I don't think it's due to be finished until next season though.
 
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