Where is a good location to take pictures of Downtown DSM Skyline? (Des Moines: medical center)

[mediaz]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if there are any excellent spots just outside downtown and elevated to take pictures of the entire DSM skyline? Both day and night? I have looked at a bunch of pictures on this site. Some are pretty old, though excellent shots. Just wondering if anything has changed over the years where photography buffs tend to go for skyline shots?

Also, any suggestions about photos for the Capital building? I assume any downtown skyrise will do. Just wondering if any one location stands out?

Goes without saying, thank you in advance for any suggestions!

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by mediaz

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if there are any excellent spots just outside downtown and elevated to take pictures of the entire DSM skyline? Both day and night? I have looked at a bunch of pictures on this site. Some are pretty old, though excellent shots. Just wondering if anything has changed over the years where photography buffs tend to go for skyline shots?

Also, any suggestions about photos for the Capital building? I assume any downtown skyrise will do. Just wondering if any one location stands out?

Goes without saying, thank you in advance for any suggestions!

I like the view downtown from the steps of the Capital, and I have always liked the view from the south approaching on...is it 7th Street? The number street that takes you north into the downtown from Indianola Ave. I could never remember the street name!

[atler8]

Yes, ^^^ the west facing Capitol steps are a great suggestion especially given that the building is on a nice-sized rise above the East Village section of the downtown area. Elevation always is a factor to consider when shooting pix or vids of scenery, etc. & there is plenty of variable topography around the edges of downtown to take into account.
I would also recommend the view from Donald McCrae Park on the near south side which will give you a north facing view from the bluffs in that park that overlook the Raccoon River.
The 7th St. & Indianola Ave. suggestion made above earlier is in the immediate area of McCrae Park.
A nice south-facing view can be found near Mercy Medical Center located just north of I-235 in the downtown area near where 6th Ave. &/or 2nd St. intersect with the freeway. Once again, elevation there is higher & favorable for photography of downtown.
Another good skyline angle can be found in a low elevation area on the near southeast side near the Des Moines River, say near SE. 3rd or 5th St. or so. The view from there looks northwest to the skyline and is used a lot in commercial photography.
As for taking pics of the Capitol, the traditional face-on or slightly side-angled frontal views can be found in locations just west & below the building in the East Village business area.
Also, directly south of the Capitol building & across one street, there is the Soldier's & Sailor's Monument site which has a good northerly view of the south side of the building. You might like that old column monument itself enough to take pics of it as well.
Good luck!