Semi-Professional Photography

So I'm taking enough classes to minor in Photography while in college... this summer, I'll have a season pass to Cedar Point.

I'd like to do a whole exhibition on Cedar Point, and I'd like to do more than walk around the midways taking pics. I'd love to get some shots from, say, within the structure of MS, or some close-to-the-track type pictures (no zoom lenses allowed!).... has anyone ever tried going through CP's front office to get some kind of special photography permissions?

I'm not getting my hopes up, but it sure would be nice.

-Ken

[EDIT: gotta watch them typos...]

*** This post was edited by Ken Kogler on 4/13/2002. ***

I highly doubt they will let you any closer than any other paying guest. Probably the main reason being safety.

There are plenty of spots to get great shots and also get upclose other than just off the midway. I would have recommended Dan'site for some pics, but he closed it.

Just try walking around some of the areas away from the midway and see what kind of shots you can get.

Hope that helps some,

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Steve Sergent
MF count: 162

Actually If you contacted Public Relations or Marketing they could help

A nice picture would be the corkscrews over the midway and the first loop of mantis...........those are really close to the guest areas. And of course, that fantastic Snake River Falls Splash

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OMG! The Space Spiral is leaning!!" Must be the weight of that new air conditioning system everyone keeps hypothesizing about...

I would definitly call CP's public relations department. I think they will allow you especially if it will be for a class.

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- Chris -
http://www.thepointol.com/~simplycp

Cp_Rider said:
A nice picture would be the corkscrews over the midway and the first loop of mantis...........those are really close to the guest areas. And of course, that fantastic Snake River Falls Splash

Yeah, I've thought of those already... I need about 100 "good" pictures, meaning I need to take at least 200 or so, so I have some choices to choose from.

That's why I'm not looking for the "normal" shots you see on every CP website out there.

No one gets the shots you're talking about other than Dan Feicht. They just aren't going to take you to these places unless you're going to generate a whole lot of publicity, and even then, chances aren't that great.

That said, there are a lot of great opportunities for photos, you just have to look for them. Also, the best photos often are shot before noon, because the park is notoriously "west looking," in that most of the best views are looking west and sun behind stuff is generally not good.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Yeah, Jeff, that's kind of what I was thinking, too.

I'd kill for a shot of the sun coming up over MS (*awesome* shadows, a sunrise, a woodie, a big lake... pictures don't get better than that) but sunrise is too early in the day for the GP to get back there.

Would CP be OK with me driving around the access road along the edge of the park and parking on the shoulder every few hundred yards to snap some photos?

There's plenty of oppertunities for pics from the midways and other public places - I realize that. Half the talent in photography comes from having a good eye and seeing shots where others don't. I'm just trying to get into as many situations like that as possible, where I have excellent oppertunities for good shots.

Still wouldn't hurt to call the front office, I suppose. :)

I have a very nice picture of the Mean Streak with the setting sun glistening on the lake behind the structure...from on the ride. One of those very lucky shots you stumble over every once in awhile.

I'll second the "before noon" philosophy at the park. I've had some of best sessions taking a dozen rolls in the first couple of hours the park is open.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

Some of the most excellent pictures,In my opinion; can be taken by employees becasue 1.If we work on a coaster we can climb it's lift hill and take pictures.2.We can get into mroe areas that guests cannot.I know someone who got so sweet shots from the top of magnum.I myself am hoping to get pics from the top of Gemini this season.

Just remember to shoot at angles opposite of what every other tourist would take.

The key is knowing where the sun will come up and where it goes down. As the season moves on the sun changes position over time of rise and fall. The best shots are early in the morning before noon and I think there are some gems at early evening given the right circumstances. Use your eye there are a ton of great shots in the park from a guests point of view. Experiment with different lenses too that is one of the biggest keys. One of the most important things I've learned in photography is never to assume the obvious don't walk up and say, there's the shot. Be sure to look at it from about every angle you can find, and then decide which is best.

You can't stop along Permieter Rd. because they will chase you away. Besides, there isn't enough room in most places (and people stopping there piss me off ;)). There really aren't more than two good shots from there anyway.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"