Los Angeles Photogathering this weekend!

[walterick]

Never really having "done" LA the only thing I would really want to do is the Hollywood thing, and the street with all the stars on it. I think I've been to Venice Beach, or one of those piers. But that sounds like a nice place to watch the sunset! I'll let you locals figure the whole thing out.

[poker]

So far about 6 individuals have shown interest...
Downtown, Hollywood, and the beach are target locations...
Dinner at Carlito's to top it off....

To make things easier...we can also meet in downtown Los Angeles and find a place to park your car all day (e.g. metro station). For those who want to do the entire day, just jump in my car so we reduce caravaning.

Hope more will respond.....

[poker]

Never really having "done" LA the only thing I would really want to do is the Hollywood thing, and the street with all the stars on it. I think I've been to Venice Beach, or one of those piers. But that sounds like a nice place to watch the sunset! I'll let you locals figure the whole thing out.

Then I would want to make sure we are in Hollywood before sundown.

Hmmmm...let me see:

Downtown
Lunch in Downtown
Hit Hollywood
Hit Beach before 8PM sundown

then we would have a really late dinner at Carlito's like at 9PM...hmmmm....

Maybe we can eat lunch at Carlito's instead then do Hollywood......

then hit the beach later in the afternoon....

and eat dinner over there....

That might be better.....

[walterick]

One of the things that I've learned doing photogatherings is you can't please everyone. You'll have to make a plan that is reaonable without wearing people out, and makes at least some of the people happy some of the time I have no doubt it will all work out.

[racingpinarello]

I agree... I would rather do fewer locations and do them right instead of spending time on the 405.

Let's pick a date soon because we're going to stay in a hotel by the convention center. We're both excited.

Loren

[walterick]

I just emailed Penny and Gene to see if they could make it. I can't remember who else lives in SoCal...

I think we have most everyone who's going to sign up. I think it's about time we started looking seriously at picking a date. If I remember from the replies, there are only a couple of weekends that work for everyone. We should start firming up plans so people can write it in!

[racingpinarello]

I agree...I would like to pencil in a date soon..... I'm dying to go back to Carlito's and to actually photograph LA

Loren...

[poker]

After charting the availabilty that have been mentioned, I'm hoping we could do August 19th.

Loren, is that too close to your Bali plans?

Sorry for the inactivity people. I thought others would respond eventually.

Rick,

My place is dope.... http://www.carlitosgardel.com/ The parilla is amazing...

Mid July - August is probably the best month... in September we're off to Bali...

Karen is from LA too so she has a lot of history to share also.

Loren

[walterick]

August 19th works for me!

[racingpinarello]

August 19th works for us.... !!!

That was easy.... must be a California thing!!

[Kokopeli]

The 19th works for me as well.. Everyone plan for a barbecue at my place on the 18th!

[walterick]

Alright! The travelers are coming

I sent you guys an email but sounds like you woudn't have gotten it. Glad you checked in!

Rick

[Kokopeli]

And, the BBQ at Brian's on the 18th sounds GREAT!

Woohoo!! Another dinner with the Bowhays!! Last one of those we had was at a restaurant in Lee Vining, after our last photos in Yosemite.

I'm very excited to see all of you again and I'm equally excited to meet everyone else that'll be attending!

Counting the days...

[poker]

Hello All,

I went to Santa Monica Beach on Saturday and I imagined bringing the photogathering there. I think we will save the beach for our photogathering next year in the so-called PCH tour. For our purposes (photography), I think we would have to hop from beach to beach or pier to pier to enjoy the theme. Adding one beach to our itinerary may not work out plus we are intent in eating dinner back in the city. It's too much driving. As someone said, we don't want to be stuck in traffic. Damn it Jim, I'm a photographer not a passenger!! - Bones McCoy style

We will still do as much Downtown as possible and end it in Hollywood Blvd before eating at Carlito's.

- Eric

[poker]

I left a message with the event coordinator at the Los Angeles Conservancy. They have a Broadway walking tour that starts at 10AM and last about 2.5 hours. According to the description, there is an opportunity to enter one of the old theaters. I'm going to ask about restrictions on photography and the pace of the tour.

Does anyone have concerns about walking tours that I can address with her?

Or

There is also a $10 fee. If you would rather avoid adding expenses to this gathering feel free to PM me and we can do the tour purely on our own. Printable Guide

Here is their site:

Tours

[poker]

Hello All,

Annie from the Los Angeles Conservancy called me back and shared some great info to help us plan our gathering.

Bad news: She recommends that we do not do the Broadway (Theaters) walking tour due to the pace and the fact we will not be allowed to shoot inside the theaters.

Good news: She recommends the Historic Tour walk which is friendlier to photographers and gives time for us to do our thang. We can then walk Broadway on our own after the Historic Core tour (well, more like after we eat lunch).

We just need 8 people to get our own private tour which would start at 10AM and last for approximately 2 hours. It's $10 per head.

Here is a quick description of the Historic Core walk:
A great introduction to the architecture and history of Los Angeles, featuring some of LA's best loved landmarks such as the Biltmore Hotel, Central Market and the Bradbury Building.

• Moderate Walking: Tour covers about twelve blocks with few rest stops.
• Nearby to a range of restaurants from cafeteria to upscale.

http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_group.php4

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Also feel free to PM me with any concerns.

- Eric

[racingpinarello]

Huntington Library and the Botanical Gardens would be my choice. Karen says it's beautiful, massive, and with a lot of diferent scenery.

I will also need a headcount for Carlito's and a time (8sh) so I can make reservations.....

Loren

[Diveress]

Hi, I just wanted to expand on my suggestion (through Loren ;) to go to the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino because the gardens are quite beautiful and expansive. They have a Japanese garden, a Rose garden, Desert garden, Shakespeare garden, Herb garden and several others. It's massive and gorgeous. Here's a link: http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalD...nicalHome.html

I was also going to suggest the Griffith observatory but it looks like it's not quite open yet. What a bummer!

I'm really looking forward to going back to my roots!

Karen

[poker]

Hmmm....

San Marino
Downtown
Hollywood
and
West Hollywood for dinner

That's pretty tough. I'll have to get back to you on that.

If we do all that we will be at each location for 2 hours and the rest on the freeway.

Hmmm.....

[walterick]

Okay, here's my take on what's being discussed so far...

I am, generally speaking, against tours. Unless there is no way to get around them, or the tour guide kicks ass and has cool stories and stuff to tell... I tend to get along better on my own. My experience with hords of photographers is we tend to dwaddle, spend an hour in one location - tripods all over the place - then spend 30 seconds in the next place. If we're part of a "tour" then I am concerned we would not have enough time to really do photography. My interest would be less what the tour is about, more trying to capture what I want of the place.

But, I don't want to spoil the pot for the other gatherers! If we're collectively of the mindset that a tour is what we want to do, then I will happily go along!

The other thing I was not clear about from the links is whether or not we could even get into those places on our own. If being part of a tour is the only way to get in, and if getting in is what we want to do, then let's go for it.

The botanical gardens sound like they might be fun to do. Definitely would need some time there, for setting up tripods and whatnot. If it's possible to do a little of the city and a little of the gardens, without much driving - and still get to our dinner destination without being ragged - then that's my vote. As long as the walk of fame is in there somewhere

I wish I knew the layout of LA better so I could see how close together all these things are. But from the way people are talking, it sounds like there is a lot of freeway driving between spots, and, that freeway driving sucks. Eric, I am all for leaving the beach out as per your suggestion to simplify things. The last thing I want to do is spoil this for everyone, but my situation is that Brian and I will be driving about an hour (?) in to get to LA in the morning. I would rather not spend too much more time in the car! But, we'll do what we need to do to get it all in right!

Eric, I appreciate you taking the time to research all this for us. Awesome work my friend. I look forward to meeting you in the next month!

My votes are: minimal driving, and maximum time to do what we want. But, I am not trying to speak for the group.

I think we can lock this date in? August 19th?! Loren, count me as one head for dinner. Unless my photo backpack requires it's own seat

Let's rock LA! Yeah! :cornut: :8:

Rick

[Kokopeli]

I also like the Huntington idea. Below is some information on the hours of operation and entry fees.

Summer Hours (through Sept. 3):
Tuesday through Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission:
Members: FREE. Click here for membership information

Non-members:
$15 Adults
$12 Seniors (age 65+)
$10 Students (age 12-18 or with full-time student I.D.)
$6 Youth (age 5-11)
Free for children under 5.
Groups of 15 or more: $11 per person

The only thing that I'm a little concerned with is that the Huntington opens at 10:30 so the time we'd have there would be limited to 2 or 2.5 hours (just an estimate based on the other things we want to see and do.)

Loren, I'm in for dinner as well. I won't pass up a chance to get some good Argentinean food!

[poker]

Here is map to put all the locations in some perspective. I have some comments but don't have time to post it right now. BRB

[WickedQueen]

Hi,,, New chicky here.
I'm in Ventura and do the LA commute (and beyond) almost daily.
I might be able to join in...
~ Cathy

[racingpinarello]

Hello fellow LA Gatherers..... I have made a reservation for 8 people at 8 p.m. for Carlitos Gardel.

For those who want to go send me an email (photo@lorencrannell.com) and I will put you on the invite/headcount list.

Rick, Eric, Brian...still send me an email so I can have it for the invitation.


I second what Rick said about the gatherings...

I wouldn't mind spending some time in the morning for coffee and shooting the breeze, and then head out on group or individual excursions, and then meet back later for dinner.

Loren

[walterick]

Hello Cathy! We'd love to have you along! So tell us a little bit more about yourself.

Look forward to meeting you!

Rick