Jump to content

Vegas Photo tips


Recommended Posts

If "old" Vegas means where the casinos are, I think there are still some old ones left on Fremont street (downtown). I used to live in Las Vegas. I used to shoot the neon with my 35mm Summaron and High Speed Ektachrome (ASA 160), about 1/60 at f/4. Sometimes I used Kodachrome 64 and got very clean saturated color at around 1/30 at f/2.8. Today I would use Velvia 100. With the 28mm Summicron ASPH I could get some great shots!

 

By all means shoot some shots during magic hour, just after sunset. The neon really pops out against the deep blue sky. I used to do this out on the "strip" (Las Vegas Blvd.). But they have destroyed all the old hotels then on the strip. I think you will have better luck capturing the old flavor on Fremont St. I haven't been there in years, but I saw a documentary, and it still looked a little like the good old days.

 

Don't get caught shooting inside the casinos. But do shoot inside the casinos if you dare! I'll see if I can scan and post some old Ektachromes tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was in the Flamingo 2 years ago - I just asked if I could take some pictures and the security guy said ok. I was in the area of the slots - which are brighter and more colorful. Perhaps around the card games they get a bit more uptight. In any case Vegas is meant for a 24mm lens. I always had trouble with my 24 but in Vegas the scope of everything begs for the wide angle. The Flamingo is probably part of the new Vegas - with the Bellagio, Cesar's and Bally's sharing its intersection. There are some classics in that area though and you can get a high perspective from the "Eiffel Tower".
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been shooting in most of the casinos for the past few years and have never been stopped. It seems to be an acceptable practice. In the RIO there is the Voodoo lounge about the 50th floor and you can go out on the terrace a get a great view of Vegas,also the Venetian has some great opportunities.

 

 

John Taber

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I had a friend who was arrested for photoing in a casino about 12 years ago. Then

Vegas got <family friendly>, and with families come tons of point-and-shoots. I think they

finally gave in to those overwhelming numbers and pretty much ignore innocent-<looking>

photography now. I've shot lots in and around the casinos with no hassles.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Get off the main strip and things get a lot more interesting. I hate Vegas except the old

part (Freemont area) ... and parts a few blocks away from the glitz. While there visit the

Liberace museum ... it's a hoot. No pics allowed but still worth the trip (close to the strip,

but off the beaten path).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...