Going to prague, photo ops, advice?

decimal

Heading to Prague this weekend for a few days, I'm sure plenty of people have been there and might have some advice on some photo oppurtunities. I'm bringing:

40D
Nifty fifty
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Canon 100mm macro 2.8
Canon 10-22mm 3.5-4.5
Tripod
3 x 4GB CFs
Laptop

Not bringing my 70-200mm f/4 as I don't think there will be much use for it, or could I be wrong? Wondering if I'll really need the macro and and the nifty fifty (35mm on the Tamron can give me an extra stop with a slower shutter speed compared to the nifty fifty). I hate missed photo ops by not bringing a lens!

Been looking around on flickr and a lot of the photos are the same, anyone know of any good spots?

AnCatDubh

Prague is great - full of nicities. When there, I wasn't on a photographic expedition though (carting 20 musicians around the streets) so didn't get to spend time psych'ing the place out. Down around the Charles Bridge and Old Town parts are very photogenic places as is the fort/castle on the hill - I didn't do it but if you can muster up to an early morning or a sunset in that space you should be doing great. That spot is very busy tourist wise so you would need an early start if you want clear shots i'd be guessing.

Is it a photo expedition you are on or have you a nearest and dearest (not into photography) in tow? If nearest and dearest (not into photography) in tow, then slash your kit - you'll never get to use it all and it will only slow you down.

We were told by local guides to be wary of pickpockets in and around the square at the astronomical clock and surrounding streets but we didn't have any problem without our group. It's like any city i'd guess - it will have an amount of it. Just make sure your gear is secured as you move through.

Oh, and the place is full of Churches so if you like architecture it is great for that type of thing.

Your 70 - 200mm would be an ideal distance candid lens and there are lots of spaces where people will congregate if that were your sort of thing. I'd bring it in favour of the macro tbh but that's me.

Enjoy.

decimal

My nearest and dearest won't be coming with me so I'm using this as a photo expedition. I would bring the 70-200 with me, but it gets really soft at 200mm (need to get it calibrated), I still might bring it. Thanks for the advice! I'll be re-reading it over there.

Pigwidgeon

you should try and get out of the city to sedlec ossuary, there's tours that go there. It's a church that's totally decorated with bones, it's quite eery, and when i was there touristy, but has for some good photos..

link

Crispin

kateos2 wrote: »

you should try and get out of the city to sedlec ossuary, there's tours that go there. It's a church that's totally decorated with bones, it's quite eery, and when i was there touristy, but has for some good photos..

link

Link doesn't work:(

interested in this because I am going in september!:) It's for work but i'll definitely have a wander!!

Fajitas!

Castle castle castle castle!

Try and pop out to the church decorated with bone too - Thonda might be able to name it for me! There's great spots everywhere though. The trams there are great

sineadw

I want to go to Prague

cian1500ww

Crispin wrote: »

Link doesn't work:(

Heres the fixed one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_ossuary

ThOnda

Talking about Prague, wasn't it the selected destination for Boards outing this autumn?

peter1892

There's a lot to look at & photograph in Prague - the Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square (and Astronomical Clock), Jewish Quarter...

Wenceslas Sqaure was a bit of a let down, imagine O'Connell Street in Dublin with lots of dodgy casinos & strip clubs! That said, you do have the memorials to the student Jan Zajic & Jan Palach which is interesting. There are also some good walking tours which depart from the top of Wenceslas Square.

Mind yourself & your gear around the old town square & especially on Charles Bridge. I found it safe enough to be honest but the tour guides will tell you that they're the worst areas for pick pockets.

trooney

peter1892 wrote: »

... Mind yourself & your gear around the old town square & especially on Charles Bridge. I found it safe enough to be honest but the tour guides will tell you that they're the worst areas for pick pockets.

Prague is like a lot of large cities. If you look like a victim...

Borderfox

Great city for pictures, I brought a 30d with a 10-20 and a 30mm f1.4 and worked out great

thefizz

Charles bridge is great at night with buskers etc.

smash

I know of a few good clubs but you're not allowed bring photo equipment in with you

decimal

kateos2 wrote: »

you should try and get out of the city to sedlec ossuary, there's tours that go there. It's a church that's totally decorated with bones, it's quite eery, and when i was there touristy, but has for some good photos..

link

Thanks a million! That place looks excellent, definately going there

Fajitas! wrote: »

Castle castle castle castle!

Try and pop out to the church decorated with bone too - Thonda might be able to name it for me! There's great spots everywhere though. The trams there are great

I'll be using trams and the metro as the hotel si a bit away from the center.

peter1892 wrote: »

There's a lot to look at & photograph in Prague - the Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square (and Astronomical Clock), Jewish Quarter...

Wenceslas Sqaure was a bit of a let down, imagine O'Connell Street in Dublin with lots of dodgy casinos & strip clubs! That said, you do have the memorials to the student Jan Zajic & Jan Palach which is interesting. There are also some good walking tours which depart from the top of Wenceslas Square.

Been looking at some of the photos of castle and charles bridge, bringing my tripod and hoping to take some night shots of the castle and hopefully sunrise shots of charles bridge. The memorial looks cool

Borderfox wrote: »

Great city for pictures, I brought a 30d with a 10-20 and a 30mm f1.4 and worked out great

10-22 check Did you use the 30mm as a wakaround lens?

thefizz wrote: »

Charles bridge is great at night with buskers etc.

Cool, will have to keep an eye out for them. I hope it's not too busy.

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, really appreciate it, heading on Sunday, can't wait!

colblimp

peter1892 wrote: »

Mind yourself & your gear around the old town square & especially on Charles Bridge. I found it safe enough to be honest but the tour guides will tell you that they're the worst areas for pick pockets.

+1 - Keep your gear padlocked to your body, it really is that bad! Just be really careful!