Travel Photography - Good [planespotting] photo spots in NYC

Hello-

I just moved to New York and am looking for some nice spots to take some good plane photos (since I missed the Air Force One photo op :p).

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

The parking Garage at Laguardia is pretty nice depending on which way the sun is pointing. The gas station just before the exit on the Grand Central to Laguardia lets you pull off the highway and has some good views as the planes come and go (again depending on which runway they are using)

CitiField has some decent views of LGA departures depending on the runway in use.

http://gallery.millerworks.net/photos/529985189_249gd-S.jpg (http://gallery.millerworks.net/gallery/4238518_LEeX5/1/#529985189_249gd-A-LB)

Or head out to JFK and go into the new jetBlue T5 (refundable ticket and whatnot) and sit at the end of the center pier of the terminal. Great views of arrivals many days. Plus there are decent amenities there to be had, like food and bathrooms.

Depending on how long a lens you have the parking lot at Ikea might be OK for EWR spotting, but I doubt it. I'm not sure of any good locations over there.

Depending on how long a lens you have the parking lot at Ikea might be OK for EWR spotting, but I doubt it.The restaurant certainly works.

Or head out to JFK and go into the new jetBlue T5 (refundable ticket and whatnot) and sit at the end of the center pier of the terminal. Great views of arrivals many days. .

have you ever had any problems with airport security? i've tried before and gotten hassled.

have you ever had any problems with airport security? i've tried before and gotten hassled.

Never, at least not that I couldn't dispel with a simple "buzz off." Where were you, what security force was harassing you and what were you taking pictures of at the time?

Where were you, what security force was harassing you and what were you taking pictures of at the time?

ORD, TSA, and I can't think of a good three-letter acronym of what I was photographing, so I'll just write it out: planes taking off and landing from the window of one of the gates.

ORD, TSA, and I can't think of a good three-letter acronym of what I was photographing, so I'll just write it out: planes taking off and landing from the window of one of the gates.

You were fully within your rights to do so as long as you were in the public portion of the airport. The TSA even admits as much.
http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/03/can-i-take-photos-at-checkpoint-and.html

Of course, YMMV, but I would not back down if they told me to stop, nor would I erase images if they ask me to. If they try to confiscate your camera or otherwise stop you more than that call the cops from your cell phone, IMO.

The restaurant certainly works.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who enjoyed Swedish meatballs and planes landing! What a geek I am.

thank you for all your helpful responses!

USPO parking lot at JFK - I have perched on my roof waiting for the Concorde to land (some time ago) Still great landings there
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=College+of+Aeronautics+lga&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=5t4ISt7GGqHItge9mcnqCw&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=image
Plane Park, across from LGA. take 94th street exit, turn right on 94th street, take first right again, drive down to the Vaughn College of Aeronautics‎ , park is on the right
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=College+of+Aeronautics+lga&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=5t4ISt7GGqHItge9mcnqCw&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=image

Hello-

I just moved to New York and am looking for some nice spots to take some good plane photos (since I missed the Air Force One photo op :p).

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Are you kidding me? The entire NYC and all the boroughs are photo-ops. I do mean this. Since you are in Brooklyn now, try NYC skyline at night as a starter, from near the Brooklyn Bridge area.

Are you kidding me? The entire NYC and all the boroughs are photo-ops. I do mean this. Since you are in Brooklyn now, try NYC skyline at night as a starter, from near the Brooklyn Bridge area.He's looking for plane spotting locations (emphasis mine):

spots to take some good plane photos

He's looking for plane spotting locations (emphasis mine):

Yes, I read his post too fast and missed. Sorry.

The Old Howard Beach / Hamilton Beach area, perhaps.

At Laguardia you can definitely take pictures of runway 4 and planes landing there. There's a small hill where the REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) are located. It's not gated and you can see the airport from there, very good view. ^

At Laguardia you can definitely take pictures of runway 4 and planes landing there.

Sounds like a great spot. Thanks!