Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Locations in the Miami area

  1. #1

    Locations in the Miami area

    I am travelling to Miami next week and will have a day to take pictures. Does anyone have ideas or recommendations for what to seek out, given this limited time? To narrow things down, my main interests are old neighborhoods and their vernacular architecture, in B&W. Ideally I would like to get into some good pre-WW2 neighborhoods or commercial areas. My ignorance of Miami is as total as my ignorance of Spanish. (I searched this site and the only information about Miami concerned Clyde Butcher and the cypress swamps.)

    Thanks very much.

  2. #2
    Doug Dolde
    Guest

    Locations in the Miami area

    I'd try South Beach myself. It's a small area and easy to expore in a day.

  3. #3
    darr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    The South
    Posts
    2,300

    Locations in the Miami area

    " Ideally I would like to get into some good pre-WW2 neighborhoods or commercial areas. My ignorance of Miami is as total as my ignorance of Spanish. (I searched this site and the only information about Miami concerned Clyde Butcher and the cypress swamps.)"

    That's about all there was here pre WWII, cyprus swamps that is, Clyde moved here later I think in the 80's. Seriously with only one day in tow and shooting LF, Miami can be a difficult place to shoot and feel safe if you do not know the area. There are a lot of non English speaking illegals without work lurking around. I live south of Miami in the agricultural area called Redland at the tip of the Everglades. The Everglades Park is currently re-opening some of the better areas since the hurricanes. There are areas full of hurricane debris that has not been picked up yet that would not make good looking photos. I was in Miami Beach a few weeks ago and what a mess! They are in the middle of re-building some of the hotels that got hit and not only did it look like a mess, but getting through some of the streets was about impossible. At the moment a good percentage of the structures here are under blue tarps. If architecture is what you are after with only one day available, I would take the day and visit South Beach as already mentioned. Besides that, I would say the Everglades National Park would be a better choice, but without the architecture of course.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Baton Rouge, LA
    Posts
    2,428

    Locations in the Miami area

    I will also be in the area in May, with time to spend in the Everglades and the Keys - can you give me some additional info on what is happening with the Everglades park? Anything exciting to shoot in the Keys?

  5. #5

    Locations in the Miami area

    Check out Coral Gables and maybe parts of Coconut Grove. These are old neighborhoods that are relatively safe and still have a lot of the old architecture. Keep in mind that before WWII, homes did not have air conditioning, so the older areas were all built near the water to catch a decent breeze. Stay away from South Beach, its cheesy, overbuilt and a pain in the ass. Head north to Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Venetian Causway area, you'll still find some older buildings that have escaped the wrecking balls. If you have the time, venture up to Ft Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches as well.

    Also go to your local bookstore and browse the photography books, there have been many books published on old Florida.

    Jeff

  6. #6

    Locations in the Miami area

    In addition to South Beach and the Everglades, there are many neat places in Miami for photography.

    For an outstanding architecture experience, I recommend Vizcaya, http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/. It is a beautiful home build from 1916-1925. It is a park, so with large format you may have to inquire about photography. I went there a few years ago with my Hasselblad and no one said a word.

    From there go to Coral Gables, a nice pre-WW2 area of Miami with beautiful homes http://www.coralgables.com/ and my favorite hotel, the Biltmore http://www.biltmorehotel.com/, built in 1926.

    Good luck and good shooting.

  7. #7
    grumpy & miserable Joseph O'Neil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    830

    Locations in the Miami area

    Drive to the Keys man, drive to the Keys. a million shooting opportunites down there.
    joe
    eta gosha maaba, aaniish gaa zhiwebiziyin ?

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Baton Rouge, LA
    Posts
    2,428

    Locations in the Miami area

    Tell me more about the Keys - I will be on Key Largo for several days as a base for exploring the rest of the keys.

  9. #9

    Locations in the Miami area

    Besides Viscaya there is the Ancient Spanish Monastery: http://www.spanishmonastery.com/

    Things were much prettier before the Hurricane. More grown foliage and tree's. For a single day I'd go to Viscaya $12, and maybe cruise around the Coconut Grove neighborhoods. There is also on second thought the Chihuly show at the Fairchild Tropical Gardens. http://www.fairchildgarden.org/

  10. #10

    Locations in the Miami area

    Thanks so much for the thoughtful suggestions, especially regarding the hurricane damage.

Similar Threads

  1. Any LF Photographers in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale?
    By Richard Deimel in forum Announcements
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-Jun-2005, 14:46
  2. Fuji Provia Quickloads in Miami, FL?
    By Bill L. in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 23-Sep-2004, 14:38
  3. Pro houses in Miami
    By joe a kras in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-Sep-2004, 16:59
  4. Cypress swamps and Miami
    By Marko Vrabec in forum Location & Travel
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 7-Jan-2004, 12:39
  5. LF locations in Denver area
    By Roberto in forum Location & Travel
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 4-Sep-2001, 18:03

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •