Shooting Seattle In July

Hi All,

I'm traveling to Seattle, WA for a 3-day conference in July. I'll only be free

in the evenings. So, I hope to get some nice low-light street scenics. Can

anyone suggest good/safe places to go?

I guess it depends on what you think of as "safe". By my standards, most all of downtown seattle is safe at night. Pioneer Square can get the standard mix of drunks/vagrants/tough-guys. But that's about it.

Around Pike Place Market, Capitol Hill, U district are all fairly active in the evenings. Though some stuff (like the market) does start to close up around then. The days stay light until 10pm or so in July, so you'll have to stay up late if you want any "night" shots.

Josh kinda' said it all, it's a great walking around downtown and the Olympic Sculpture

Park and Seattle Center is north of downtown where events are usually going on. A few

things to remember. Seattle has a law against panhandling so they won't bother you if

you don't bother them. Parking is strictly enforced and expensive. No jaywalking.

Crosswalks signs are also strictly enforced so become familar with them as you have

rights at times and not at times. Seattle has free bus service within the downtown area.

Transients have their own parks so tread lightly there. There are quite a few cultural

venues downtown, eg. Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall. Otherwise enjoy it.

I agree with the two previous writers suggestions.

In addition, if you want the standard scenic shot of the Space Needle with the city

(and possibly Mt. Rainier if it's clear) in the background, that shot is done from a

park called Kerry Park on Queen Anne hill, on Highland Drive, just north of the

downtown area.

If you are in Seattle on a Tuesday, you might want to consider Gasworks Park at

the north end of Lake Union. There is an event every Tuesday evening in the

summer called the "Duck Dodge", which is sort of a sailboat race/regatta/party.

Anyway, the lake is covered with sailboats, and much silliness ensues. Good photo

opportunities if there is any wind.

In July, the actual sunset is just after 10:00pm, and it doesn't get fully dark until

around 11:00pm. (In the winter we make up for it when the sun sets around 4:00pm.

Ugh.)