Will be in Tucson Haven't been in a while

[mark]

I will be in Tucson next week, and it has been a coupe years since I have been there.

My conference is at the Westin La Paloma and I should be done with things around 2:30-3:30 ish thursday and I just can't think of anywhere I could get to out of the city to take photos in that time. I don't shoot street scenes. Am I going to be stuck photographing on the resort property? When I was in COllege I would drive to the top of COuntry Club to watch the city lights. Is that still possible or has it been totally built up there? Where can I see the city lights from now if COuntry club is out? Does Photographic Works still have Large Format film for sale, and do they do quick processing still?

 

[copake_ham]

I will be in Tucson next week, and it has been a coupe years since I have been there.

My conference is at the Westin La Paloma and I should be done with things around 2:30-3:30 ish thursday and I just can't think of anywhere I could get to out of the city to take photos in that time. I don't shoot street scenes. Am I going to be stuck photographing on the resort property? When I was in COllege I would drive to the top of COuntry Club to watch the city lights. Is that still possible or has it been totally built up there? Where can I see the city lights from now if COuntry club is out? Does Photographic Works still have Large Format film for sale, and do they do quick processing still?

Mark,

A lot depends on how much down time you have.

You will find that Skyline/Sunset Drive all along from Oracle to Kolb is now built up. A lot of new high-end strip mall construction just in the last year or so at Campbell and Skyline has "eaten up" an open area over there that offered good City views - although you can still find an "opening" or two between the "strips".

If you have enough time - I'd recommend a drive up to the B'oab D'ag (sp?) Overlook in Catalina Highway. Take Tanque Verde east to Catalina Hwy. Go up into the National Forest past the first hairpin curve and up another mile or so to the Overlook. On a clear evening you will see well past the City to the Tucson Mountains and beyond to the west. Will afford both sunset and city light views.

A similar possibility, looking from west to east would be up Gates Pass (take Speedway). Living on the east side I am not as familiar with that view and it won't offer a sunset like B'aob D'ag.

BTW: I don't know if there is an open area right at La Paloma that would give you a view of the City - could be.

 

[mark]

Thanks. When I was there thre maybe four years ago things were filling up. A lot has changed in the ten years since I lived there. The overlook is tempting but I don't think I could get up there to get the light I want and it is too far from the city center. I wonder about A Mountain. A friend used to live up there but moved because, as he put it, the place was getting too damn scary. Thinking more about what I want I want the down town city lights. A mountain would give me what i want. Too bad I never gave any thought to photographing inside Tucson, when I was living there. I didn't pick up a camera until I had moved away.

There is strength in numbers, anyone want to get together and shoot at sunset to get a Downtown vista, or maybe somewhere else? My shooting window is very limited.

 

[copake_ham]

Thanks. When I was there thre maybe four years ago things were filling up. A lot has changed in the ten years since I lived there. The overlook is tempting but I don't think I could get up there to get the light I want and it is too far from the city center. I wonder about A Mountain. A friend used to live up there but moved because, as he put it, the place was getting too damn scary. Thinking more about what I want I want the down town city lights. A mountain would give me what i want. Too bad I never gave any thought to photographing inside Tucson, when I was living there. I didn't pick up a camera until I had moved away.

There is strength in numbers, anyone want to get together and shoot at sunset to get a Downtown vista, or maybe somewhere else? My shooting window is very limited.

Mark,

Can't help you out on A-Mountain. Have never been up it - only over it in a plane and around it on a bicycle!

From La Paloma it's probably as long (timewise) as going up Catalina but you will get a better "downtown" view from A-Mountain - that's for sure.

You might want to PM "noseoil" here (a.k.a. Tim). He lives in Tucson full time (I'm a P/T'er) and may be up for an "expedition". I'd love to join you also, but won't be back in town until the 29th.

Happy shooting.

 

[AZLF]

I will be in Tucson next week, and it has been a coupe years since I have been there.

My conference is at the Westin La Paloma and I should be done with things around 2:30-3:30 ish thursday and I just can't think of anywhere I could get to out of the city to take photos in that time. I don't shoot street scenes. Am I going to be stuck photographing on the resort property? When I was in COllege I would drive to the top of COuntry Club to watch the city lights. Is that still possible or has it been totally built up there? Where can I see the city lights from now if COuntry club is out? Does Photographic Works still have Large Format film for sale, and do they do quick processing still?

There are several roads going north you can take into the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. That will get you views of the lights of Tucson at night. Campbell st. comes to mind. The La Paloma is much farther east in those same foothills but I don't know what kind of a view it has. Forget A Mountain. Gang violence after dark forced the city to close the road at night. You can go up during daylight hours as I have many times but be prepared to be surrounded by young people who at least look and act like gang members and play rap at high volume constantly along the parking areas. I consider it a hostile area and do not go there without a weapon.

Gates Pass is good for viewing and shooting sunsets to the west of town. Just take Speedway bvld. until you can't anymore and you will be there.


Swan rd., Campbell st. and maybe County club will also afford views of the city at night but it's become much harder to find a spot to shoot from that won't get you a visit from a deputy sheriff asking you to move along. If you have a car then a ride west on Sunset road might offer a view or two that is worthwhile.

Pm me and perhaps we can get together and try and find a spot. The last time I shot the city lights at night was from A Mountain about 20 years ago when it was still open at night. I would not mind another try from a different location.

And yes Photographic works still sells 4x5" film.

 

[noseoil]

Mark, photographic works has some 4x5 film and does 3 hour e6 processing. I assume you are looking for e6 and not B&W film?

North Alvernon and North Country Club are still available. Will you have wheels?

Please pm me if you have any questions. I'm still here. tim

 

[mark]

Damn, Poop Happens. My boss scheduled me to meet with a consultant thursday for most of the afternoon. Life sure was easier when I was a lowly teacher not doing administrative stuff.

If things fall through with the consultant, I have my fingers crossed, you might see a wide guy under a dark cloth on the Gates pass side of town.