james_kirkikis

<p>Aloha!<br> I was in Hawaii last year and have some items to share:<br> Waikiki: as Bob stated above me, the area is very touristy, though they are starting to cater to the upscale tourist. Perhaps the best photo op is from the Sheraton on the western edge of Waikiki. The second floor from the top (forgot the floor number) has a lounge that is open to the hotel guests. Though I was not a guest, I rang the bell on the outside and they let me in with no questions. Bring a dark cloth or towel as you will be photographing though glass and I had a big problem with reflection. This is the "aerial" shot that every one gets.<br> Waikiki hotels: don't forget the hotels, from the historic Hawaiian Royal to the infinity pool at the Sheraton, there are some great photo ops here too.<br> Byodo-in Temple in the Valley of the temples, is a beautiful Buddhist temple. It is especially beautiful on a cloudy/rainy day, with low hanging clouds obscuring the mountain tops behind. This is on the windward side, so cloudy/rainy is the norm, even when it is sunny in Waikiki.<br> Manoa Falls is another beautiful site, a large water falls dropping into a small pool. The falls requires about a mile hike to the base. The hike is pretty flat and would be realtively easy, but you are walking through a humid rain forest that may slow you down. Also, this is not a secret or hidden falls. It is fairly popular, expect to share your moments with other visitors.<br> Dole Plantation: as Bob stated, nice tour etc, but not too many photo ops.<br> Pearl Harbor: you must go here, even if you are not taking photos. If you are, plan for an early morning visit, The light is the best, there are less crowds and the military visitors from around the world usually come at this time. I was there with military visitors from the US, Singapore, Canada, Australia and Japan (!). Men and women in uniform paying their respects is quite a moving sight. <br> Honolulu: Oahu is criticized for being too urban, but this may be good for the photographer. The best part is the State Capitol, the skyline from the state capitol building, and Chinatown. Go to Chinatown in the early morning for shots of the locals shopping at the fruit markets. <br> Punchbowl Cemetery: It seemed nice, but most of the monuments were closed for renovation when I went. I cannot give you better advice. <br> Polynesian Cultural Center: maybe too touristy, and I was dragged there. However, it was much better than I expected. Plus I got some nice people shots<br> Waimia Bay Beach: Cliff jumpers!<br> The list can go on and on and you will probably not get everything the island has to offer. Rule of thumb: get what you can get and don't get upset. </p>

<p>Masaaki,<br> I was in Waikiki in July and took the same photo and I was not a guest at the hotel. Here is what I can tell you:<br> There is a club room, not on the top floor, but on the one underneath it. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name, but it the only club on that floor. Just follow the signs. Technically, it is for guests, but I was able to get in with no problem by pressing the buzzer outside the entrance. <br> The best place to set up is right inside the entrance. You are away from the guests (they continue down a hallway) and no one bothered me, even with a full tripod. I just acted like I belonged there.<br> I should advise, if you are going at dusk, the room is lit and your reflection will be seen in the window. Take a blanket or something dark to cover your self, otherwise, you will get a photo of you and your camera transposed on Waikiki.</p>

<p>Chris,<br> You may want to look into some stock agencies that offer this service. You can post your needs and the price you want to pay. Someone may already have the photo in their stock collection. <br> Two agencies that i know of are PhotographersDirect.com and ImageBrief.com. Please note, these companies have a minimum rate. If you are looking to get $1 microstock prices, these are not the places.<br> You may also consider posting a request here on photo.net. Photographers in the area could contact you and work out a fee.</p>

<p>Try alleys in Chinatown - gritty enough but safe.</p>

<p>Here are some of my favorite sights for DC and NYC. As was mentioned before, these are the typical postcard shots that millions of photographers have taken. Look around see if there is an angle or foreground that has not been used too often and happy shooting!<br> Lower Manhattan from Statue of Liberty Ferry, as the ferry rounds into the dock, you can catch the statue and Lower Manhattan in the same shot. Get on the first ferry as the statue faces east. Also, try the ferry from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, it is much less crowded. <br> Lower Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park, this is between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge. Good for an early morning or dusk shot. The New World Trade Center just removed the scaffold in the last month or two, so the shot will be quite "new." At night, the building still has the construction lights.<br> Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry - great in late afternoon. <br> Midtown Manhattan from Gantry State Park in Queens, great shot of United Nations and Chrysler Building - good in morning or dusk. <br> Manhattan from under the 59th Street Bridge. there is a park in Queens (forget the name),where you can set up a tripod to catch the 59th street Bridge (aka Queensboro Bridge) with Manhattan below it.<br> Midtown from Hamilton Park in Weehawken, NJ - you mentioned this.<br> Midtown from the Hoboken waterfront. Not photographed often, and less dramatic than Weehawken, but it is unique.<br> Lower Manhattan from Jersey City - there is a waterfront park/walkway at the Jersey City business district for a great shot of lower Manhattan, more unique than the Brooklyn side.<br> DC- sunrise at the Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima). Get the Memorial in the foreground with the city in the background. <br> DC- from Lincoln memorial steps - the reflecting pool has been repaired and water is now able to reflect the Washington Monument.<br> DC - Reminder, most government buildings and memorials are stark white. For a more dramatic shot, go just after sunrise, just before sunset for the golden light. or try dawn and dusk. Most of the floodlights remain on all night.</p>

<p>Brad, sorry to be a little late to the party, as you are probably on the way home. here are my favotite Boston skyline locations:</p> <p>For sunrise/first light on the city: East Boston from either LoPresti Park or Piers Park. Both offer essentially the same view, though I like LoPresti Park for some foreground. Piers Park is less deserted (hard to imagine, as they are a few blocks away from each other) but it may be locked until sunrise. The Blue Line stops at Maverick, half way between the parks. When facing the water/skyline, Lopresti is on the right, Piers on the left.</p> <p>The morning also offers a great view from The USS Constitution. It may be a good time to get a shot of Paul Revere statue with the Old North Church in the background from Revere Park.</p> <p>For the late afternoon, go to the Longfellow Bridge. There is a pedestrian walkway where you can set up a tripod. It may be too early in the season, but a photo of the skyline with the sailbaots on the Charles screams Boston. </p> <p>For dusk, you can head back to East Boston or try the Skywalk at the Prudential Building. If the Red Sox are playing, you can an "aerial" of Fenway Park lit up at night. Otherwise, dusk looking at the Hancock Tower and beyond is super.</p>