Photography in Philly

Ok...I'm sure its been asked before but....

 

I will be visiting Philly on 4th of July weekend (so a few weeks for

responses on this). What are some of the more interesting places for

photos.

 

Besides architecture any areas where people conglomerate that I

should take photos of?

 

Any body who lives there know of any thing going on that weekend

(c'mon...it is the 4th of July) that is Picture worthy? :)

 

Any and all responses more than welcome :) Thanks

Jeff,

 

For photographing people, ask your cab driver to take you to "South Street".

 

Enjoy!

 

Ray

My sister lives in philly and I have visited her a few times in the past 2 yrs. I found the Large park (I think it's called Fremont Park)

which runs from the Art museum (where Rocky runs up the steps) along the Schuylkill river for about 5 miles and is good for photos. At the north end of the park is a interesting cemetery ,I think it's called laurel Hill cemetery. It overlooks the river and has beautiful victorian,and Gothic grave markers and tombes. Along the river are very old Boat houses that people use when rowing racing boats up the river. At night they are covered with lights,which reflect on the river. I have never been there on the 4th of July so I can not tell you specific events .Hope this helps.

So far....it all helps a lot :) I do know that a lot will be going on that weekend. Tall ships will be in town. I couple of outdoor street festivals.

 

Thanks for the info so far....keep it comin :) And if anyone is ever in Manhattan, feel free to ask the same of me (been living in New York my whole life)

Subject: Response to Photography in Philly

 

Freedom Week comes to a climax on Independence day in Philadelphia. Lots of stuff on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which leads to the Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River. At the top of that drive (turn right on Midvale, immediate right on Ridge, several blocks on left is entrance to Laural Hill Cemetary (see if you can find George Meade's grave). It's all bordering Fairmount Park (although the river is IN Fairmount Park. Fireworks will probably occur behind the Art Museum or at Penns Landing on the Delaware. With a tripod, Belmont Plateau (west side of Fairmount Park) is best with skyline and clear view of fireworks. Bring a blanket and a friend.

Old City (east of sixth Street) and the historic area are people congregation places. Forget Independence Hall -- our National Park Service has succumbed to raw fear and are making a physical and visual fortress of the site and its grounds. Tour the Bishop White House and the Powell House, not well known but authentic as it gets.

 

South Street (just ask) will be active as the day cools off and into the night. Well into the night. Pose a friend in front of the Condom Kingdom store.

 

9th and Passyunk in South Philly boasts Pat's Steak and Geno's Steaks. When asked, Bill Clinton couldn't make up his mind which was better. Why should that decision be any different? I choose Geno's. Ask anyone in South Philly where to get *locally* made water ice. On Saturday, 9th and Washington in South Philly will be awash with people at the Italian Market (Sylvester Stallone ran down the middle of the street once), and anyday but Sunday is a good day at the Reading Terminal for people and food (12th & Arch).

 

There's a visitor center and a web site. Have a good time and shoot lots of film.

Dang, lots of help...thanks. And the Pat's or Geno's question...well...I'm going with my Girlfriend, who has been there a few times before, and I swear the only reason she is going is Pat's.

 

Thanks for the info on the government making some of the places virtual fortresses. I'm only there for 3 days and it sounds like I would be waiting on line to get in that whole time.

the fireworks on 4th of July.

 

it goes off right in front of the Art Museum, but you can watch it from any of the bridges over the river.

Check out the eastern state penitentiary, its open for tours and is an excellent place to shoot photos of a massive ruin. Its not far from downtown philly.

 

My photographs of ESP here.

www.oboylephoto.com/esp

Last year, with the help of this forum, I took some pictures in Philly. Two of them were posted:

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=334315

 

One is taken by the Schuylkill river.

 

If you have time, don't forget the Amish Country in the Lancaster county.

 

As for the question of the Pilly's cheese steak sandwich, I would say Geno's has more substantial meat and better onion, but Pat's has better taste, though the onion is overcooked. In fact, the ways they cook are quite different. Geno's tends to be too dry, while Pat's meat is moist. Which is better? My family and my friends vote 3:2 in favor of Pat's.

I live near Philly and spent one 4th of July shooting there. Of course the fireworks over the art museum is worth a few rolls of film. You also have the parade going on on the Ben Franklin Parkway. The year I was there hot air ballons launched in a clearing near the art museum. I have a few photos here on photo.net from Philly on the 4th, located <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=38360">here</a>

 

 

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/48639-md.jpg" height="384" width="576" border="0">

Thanks for all the hints guys. Unfortunately I had a personal emergency and never did make it there :( Well, there's always next year's 4th :)