Large Format in New York

[David A. Goldfarb]

Been hit by a cyclist. Broken wrist, a couple of chipped teeth, nothing I'd want to repeat, but still alive.

[John C Murphy]

I didn't realize there were so many of us LF guys in this area (I live in Jersey City).

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Indeed Frank, you are correct, being hit by a SUV, Taxi, Mini, or even (!) an hybrid car could have the same death-dealing potential. In fact, like David, I have been whacked by both bicyclists and, just last week, by jogger with a baby buggy.

[Steven Dusk]

What would be the best way to get from Mid Town to across the Hudson in the early morning? To opposite North Park perhaps...

Steven

[Terence McDonagh]

I would say NJ Transit buses out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Preferably Weehawken, either at water-level on River Road, or up on the Heights (I think it's Palisades Ave), or Hoboken as mentioned above (I live there, so I'm biased).

Most of the buses start up around 6:00am-6:30am. A few start earlier. Check out:
http://www.njtransit.com/sf_bu_schedules.shtml

[Steven Dusk]

Cheers Terence, I am getting your suggestions marked on the map, and they look like good vantage points indeed!

Steven

[Terence McDonagh]

No sweat. As for the tripod permit, it's no big deal, and it is free. See:


http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/permits/still_prcedure.shtml

You could probably have the permit faxed to your hotel. When filling it out I always use a fairly vague description of location and time to give me leeway for angles, lighting, etc. I'll say "between 34th and 37th streets, between 1st and 3rd avenues", etc. I've only had them complain once about this when I was REALLY vague. Of course, I've never had anyone give me trouble when I bother to get the permit, only when I don't (which is most of the time). Most of the grief I've gotten is on the rare times when I'm shooting in a congested pedestrian area. And don't bother trying to use a tripod in Grand Central Station. They swooped on you like hawks even before 9/11. Granted, it's normally choked with pedestrians even during "off" hours. The same is true in subways (I haven't tried it, but have seen enough people try). Usually no problem taking pictures there, but a tripod could be a tripping hazard on the platforms as stupid people abound here (no knock on New Yorkers as I am one, but we do seem to have a slightly higher than average rate of folks with no common sense and who don't pay attention).

I tend to shoot in out of the way, rundown areas (industrial parts of Brooklyn, Bayonne, Newark, etc), so if anyone is ever up for an adventurous photo outing I'm always looking for someone to shoot with.

[tim atherton]

"The same is true in subways (I haven't tried it, but have seen enough people try)."

the Transit Authority is trying to introduce (actually trying to re-introduce) restrictions on almsot any photography on the NY transit system (exception would be NY Press. You may also be able to apply for a permit?).

And by many accoutns, the Transit Police are acting as if the ban is already in place.

see www.photopermit.org among others

[tim atherton]

actually, here is another message I was forwarded about it:

"New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority is proposing rules that would
ban photography on the city's subways. As a street photographer and admirer
of the heritage of subway photography produced by Walker Evans
(http://www.getty.edu/art/collections/presentation/p42_114321-1.html) and
others, I am concerned about this.

The proposed rules are here:
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/rules/proposed.htm
If you share my concern, please send the MTA your comments on this issue by
January 10.

Syracuse, NY

Following is the e-mail I received alerting me to this issue:



I am Todd Maisel, a staff photographer for the NY Daily News, and also the
associate director of the National Press Photographers Region 2 and
Secretary for the NY Press Photographers Association.

We are seeking your support against the proposed ban on photography in the
subways. While the new rule would supposedly spare media, we know this is a
slippery slope. Your members, visiting our city, would become criminals if
they take out their cameras on the trains.

This is an op ed piece I did in the NY DailyNews recently. We invite you to
join us and comment on the MTA website at give at the end of this article.
Please read, and then, let me know your organization's position.

Thank you.
Todd Maisel

Last May, the MTA introduced a new "rule of conduct" barring photography on
the transit system except by "accredited New York City media," claiming the
rule deters would-be terrorists. After a firestorm of criticism from groups
who recognized this as censorship, the MTA retreated, but vowed to
re-introduce a less stringent version.

Instead, they re-introduced the same rule under the cover of Thanksgiving
weekend, allowing public comment until January 10. Even Mayor Michael
Bloomberg's opposed the rule believing it unfairly penalizes tourists.

The MTA claims the rule, which can result in arrest and fine, is NYPD
advised. However, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, a former newsman himself,
said the NYPD did not advise the camera ban. Instead, police officials
advised the MTA to ban photography in tunnels and control rooms - areas
already off-limits. Without having justifying this rule, they continue to
insist it is part of security initiatives.

But does a terrorist require a picture to know that Grand Central Station is
crowded at rush hour? Did the terrorists in Spain need a photo to know that
their bomb on a crowded train would kill numerous people?

So if terrorists don't require a photo to kill people, who then will be
affected?

Tourists from around the world marvel at our transit system, but they will
risk arrest if they photograph it. Chrystine Nicholas, executive director of
New York City Inc., our tourist bureau, opposes the ban as damaging to
tourism.

Young photojournalism students would be arrested for photographing the
trains. Transit enthusiasts who have long documented the growth of our
system would become criminals. Straphangers using a cell phone with a camera
would be subject to arrest.

While the rule exempts New York City media, it makes it illegal for
out-of-town journalists, from as close as New Jersey and Westchester County,
to take photos of our trains. And just because the local media will have
this exemption doesn't mean that every cop out of the academy will know the
rule. Many still don't understand that their own regulations restrict them
from censoring photographers, but some officers still believe they must
dictate what the media sees at a crime scene or disaster.

The rule is a slippery slope that will result in further censorship. There
are already far too many people who believe that anyone with a camera is a
potential terrorist.

There has yet to be any convincing evidence demonstrating that terrorists
are taking photos of our trains. A few months ago, an Iranian national was
deported after he was observed photographing city landmarks. If he was
providing photos for terrorists, does that mean we should now prevent
photography of all landmarks? That would be ludicrous and unconstitutional.

The MTA board must recognize that this rule erodes our freedoms and runs
counter to the First Amendment. It surrenders to terrorist goals by
curtailing our freedom. To comment, visit the MTA website:
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/rules/proposed.htm."

(and no - it is not my intention to start the usual flood of pro/con homeland security posts...)

[Terence McDonagh]

I normally lean towards paranoia, but I agree with Tim that the MTA is definitely trying to limit our freedoms for a ridiculous purpose, especially given that there is a website that has photos of every single station, switch, interlocking, etc, and the fact that half the new cell phones seem have cameras in them. I won't even mention the "Photography in the Subways" exhibit in Grand Central SPONSORED by the MTA.

That said, it's a fight for us locals (even though it impacts visitors) as it is a regional transit system who will probably dismiss anything said by "outside agitators". I figured I'd avoid the topic as it shouldn't effect Steven's visit. I photograph in the subway all the time and have had more issues with paranoid passengers than Transit Cops.