Photography from Top of the Rock

[ajkaz11]

I am going to NYC this summer strictly for photography purposes, to shoot the skyline. Always been one of my dreams.

Question 1- I know tripods are not allowed... can someone who has been tell me a little about the top of the rockefeller center? I know there are multiple levels... are there steady places to put the camera, or do I need a very steady hand to do a decent night shot?

Question 2- In my trip, I plan on hitting 3 main locations to shoot the skyline, the top of the rock, the empire state building, and across the bridge. Any recommendations for other awesome vantage points of the beautiful skyline at night/twilight?

Thanks for your help!

[Canadian]

I don't remember any places to rest the camera at the top of the Rock. What about the twilight cruise? I went on that & got great shots.

[ManhattanKnight]

I am going to NYC this summer strictly for photography purposes, to shoot the skyline. Always been one of my dreams.

Question 1- I know tripods are not allowed... can someone who has been tell me a little about the top of the rockefeller center? I know there are multiple levels... are there steady places to put the camera, or do I need a very steady hand to do a decent night shot?



I was up there twice shortly after TOTR opened last year, camera-in-hand, at sunset. While there were rumors of a "no tripod" rule, it didn't seem to be enforced if it did exist. Winds can be pretty intense up there, and some means of steadying a camera are mandatory. There are some parapets that can be used for that purpose. Take a look at the Top of the Rock Thread (http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4238&highlight=the+rock) for a discussion of these issues.

[antinimby]

There are 2 main skyline clusters in Manhattan: Downtown and Midtown.

For Downtown:

1) east view across the East River from the Brooklyn Promenade or the Brooklyn Bridge.
2) west view across the Hudson River from Jersey City, New Jersey.
3) south view from the Staten Island Ferry.


For Midtown:

1) east view across the East River from Long Island City in Queens.
2) west view across the Hudson River from Weehawken, New Jersey.

[ajkaz11]

Well, I did email some contact at the TOTR, and he said that there is indeed a no tripod rule, and to his knowledge, it is enforced.

Judging by this picture... http://www.wirednewyork.com/guide/observation/observation_deck.jpg

it seems as if one might be able to steady the camera between those little ridges... but for someone with me who wants to get their fisheye lens some action... well I'd want to be down there at the edge, for an unobstructed view. I guess part of it is just being there and experiencing the surroundings myself. I'll try to concoct a few methods of camera-steadying in case they don't let me bring my tripod up.