places to photograph (Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Washington: neighborhood, live in, club)

[pic-chic]

I'm relatively new to the area and live out in the country. But I really want to go into Pittsburgh to do some photography. I like neat architectural details on buildings, cool arches, good scenics, whatever (anything that would look good in black and white). Can anyone give me some good, clear, non-local understandable directions to safe places to park and walk around to do this? I'm a member of a local photography club and have posted the question on their forum, but no one has given me any clear help. I feel like someone here is more likely to give me good directions (rather than just saying "Oh, yeah the blah blah overlook" with no explanation of where it might be).

[dugdogmaster]

Do you know how to get to the South Side? If so, just park anywhere between 10th and 24th streets near the main drag of East Carson St., and just walk around. The old architecture in that neighborhood is wonderful. You can even walk across one of the bridges into Downtown for more wonderful architecture of many many different styles to photograph.

Where do you live in Westmoreland County? That would help in anyone giving you directions to a certain part of the city.

[pic-chic]

I live in Scottdale and I know I can use either 51 or 76-376 to get into Pittsburgh. Where I go from those roads is mostly where I need help. Thanks for your suggestion - that sounds good.
Is street parking generally open to everyone (and findable)? Where I lived before, you needed a resident sticker for the neighborhood to park on the streets there. And downtown had parking that was around $25/day.

[dugdogmaster]

Take 51 to route 19. Turn right on route 19/Liberty Ave, that's 19 north. That goes into the Liberty Tunnel. As soon as you come out the tunnel turn right. That's East Carson St. Then, just head down East Carson St until you get to at least 10th St. Then, just look for parking. You can park on the side of the street and just feed the parking meter. There's also a public parking lot around 12th St., on your left hand side. If you can find a spot in there take it, park, then go to the ticket machine at the entrance, I usually feed it a couple dollars and it gives you several hours of parking, put the ticket that comes out on your dash. You can also try parking on the side streets, but they're usually jammed packed.

If you look on google or yahoo maps it gives a clear picture of that route.

[beemartin11]

I'd suggest two things:

- Take Route 51 S and you can take photos of "Pittsburgh in the 50s..." you'll see what I mean once you drive along that route.
- Go to Lawrenceville (Butler St. and Penn Ave) and document the changes from a downtrodden urban neighborhood to a hip and stylish one.

[fleetiebelle]

Take 51 to route 19. Turn right on route 19/Liberty Ave, that's 19 north. That goes into the Liberty Tunnel.

If you're coming this way, you could also keep on 51 past the Liberty Tunnels and make a right up Woodruff (bearing left on Merrimac) to see the Mt. Washington overlooks. Then you could head down McArdle to the South Side.

[pic-chic]

Thank you all! That's already much more info than I got from the others I asked. I plan on using your info soon.
I did go into the city one day last year with another photographer, but I wasn't paying enough attention since I wasn't driving. We parked in a lot next to a bridge and walked to the strip district (easy walk). The bridge had what looked like cool architectural stuff (exactly what, I can't remember right now). With these scant clues, can anyone point me how to get there again?

[barneyg]

Originally Posted by pic-chic

Thank you all! That's already much more info than I got from the others I asked. I plan on using your info soon.
I did go into the city one day last year with another photographer, but I wasn't paying enough attention since I wasn't driving. We parked in a lot next to a bridge and walked to the strip district (easy walk). The bridge had what looked like cool architectural stuff (exactly what, I can't remember right now). With these scant clues, can anyone point me how to get there again?

Sounds like the 16th St Bridge. You can get there by taking I-376 West, then at the end of I-376, follow the signs for I-279 North / Fort Duquesne Bridge. On I-279 N take exit 7C to Route 28 North / Etna, then take the first exit to Chestnut St / 16th St Bridge (don't know how this last one is labeled, but it's the first exit once you're on 28), then turn right toward the bridge. You can park on the side streets before you get to the bridge, or you can cross it and park in the Strip.

[pic-chic]

Cool! Thanks!

[PeterRabbit]

You might get some ideas about what to photograph from this site:

PittsburghSkyline.com - Original Photography from the Great City of Pittsburgh by Matt Robinson

There are hundreds of photos all around the city.

I like the domed building in downtown Greensburg. It has a lot of detail.