Locations to take "elevated" photos

mattonarsenal · PostMar 01, 2006#12006-03-01T06:22+00:00

I am starting a new project, and I am looking for places from which to take "elevated" photos.

I need to be above ground level, the higher the better. Obviously a plane or helicopter would be best but I don't have the funds, so I am collecting ideas. Might be a good resource for others, too.

Obviously the Arch

Stadium Garages and other parking garages

If you no of an office building downtown it would be helpful to also provide info on how to get to the spot. Like the Fed Courthouse and Met Square would be cool, but are there public areas I can take a camera. So, provide specifics.

Also doesn't necessarily need to be downtown.

I was luckily I had the opportunity to get some photos from the top floors of South Side National Bank over a year ago. If you get a chance to get up there it is an interesting view.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Expat · PostMar 01, 2006#22006-03-01T14:47+00:00

MattonArsenal, just wondering, is it possible to get to the top of the reservoir on Grand & Russell? It is such a high point, the views must be incredible.

mattonarsenal · PostMar 01, 2006#32006-03-01T16:19+00:00

It is possible to get up there. The preservation group for resevoir park opens the tower twice a year.

Once is durning the Grand South Grand House Tour, usually in April I think and another time during the year, later in the summer or early fall but I'm not sure when. They do charge to go up, $5 if I remember correctly, but it is well worth it.

I know they are trying to raise money to do major renovations to the park, so I wish they would open it more. It could become a real attraction.

ntbpo · PostMar 02, 2006#42006-03-02T03:08+00:00

As far a a downtown location the 12th floor of the civil courts building offers outstanding views. just take the elevator to 12 and exit to the balcony, it circles the entire building so you can get a great view in any direction.

Rich by Lindenwood Park.

bprop · PostMar 02, 2006#52006-03-02T12:14+00:00

The federal courthouse allows you to go up to the top floors, where there is an observation deck facing east. Just go through the metal detectors and head for the elevators.

mark · PostMar 03, 2006#62006-03-03T22:07+00:00

There are good views from the Top floors at several sites in the BJC complex.

Top floor of the Nex CAM building and from old Queeny tower sky walkways.

Also the parking garages are great open spots for views. The one off Lacled just North of old Jewish Hospital is free on Sundays or at least was .

shinpickle · PostMar 06, 2006#72006-03-06T07:06+00:00

suburban lou · PostMar 06, 2006#82006-03-06T07:13+00:00

Those are insane !

MattnSTL · PostMar 06, 2006#92006-03-06T08:01+00:00

Nice pics, but those sideways ones are hard on the eyes.

jeff vanderlou · PostMar 06, 2006#102006-03-06T11:15+00:00

These are really first class photos! You managed to see an old subject in a new way. Great!

trent · PostMar 06, 2006#112006-03-06T22:48+00:00

Jeff Vanderlou wrote:These are really first class photos! You managed to see an old subject in a new way. Great!

IMO, that's the mark of a great photographer.

suburban lou · PostMar 07, 2006#122006-03-07T23:24+00:00

I love this pic

coachjw · PostMar 08, 2006#132006-03-08T02:20+00:00

Amazing pics!

arch city · PostMar 09, 2006#142006-03-09T16:32+00:00

Nice photos. You should post more often.

I think once the new glass towers are finished downtown, the already decent skyline will be enhanced 100% from that vantage point in the first pic.

don koester · PostMar 09, 2006#152006-03-09T18:20+00:00

Awesome pics! Goes to show it's all about perspective. May try some

myself next day off. St. Louis usually is more impressive from a

higher vantage point since the density can be better seen.

My hat is off to you..also my shoes.. my coat...etc.

Apply for a photo shoot for travel mags or National Geo.

space invader · PostMar 09, 2006#162006-03-09T20:07+00:00

Citylover wrote:I love this pic

This picture is amazing. It makes me miss the old Busch and it's elegant arches and how they repeat and complement the form of the gorgeous stainless steel arch in the background. I wish Busch III had incorporated the catenary arches into the design instead of the tired Romanesque retreads that are a sorry impersonation of Cupples.

gary kreie · PostMar 09, 2006#172006-03-09T22:33+00:00

Great Photos. Is there somewhere in town where you could take a picture of St. Louis like this one of Boston? Your photo of downtown from the Compton Heights Water Tower is close.

To do something more like this, I assume you go way out on a hill, with a very long lense, on a very clear day or night.

The 3 places I can think of where you might get houses or trees in the forground and downtown behind it brought forward with a 400 mm lense or bigger are are:

1) Gravois Road -- you see downtown as you drive inward near the city limts.

2) I-270 at the 367 overpass.

3) Chain of Rocks Park.

4) Somewhere on the East Side Bluffs?

jefferson · PostMar 09, 2006#182006-03-09T23:41+00:00

yes, awesome pics. I always imagined the mall could look this beautiful, but I've never seen a picture of it like this.

The key was cropping out all the crap around it, but leaving Kiel and the Union Station tower in the background...nice work.

Expat · PostMar 12, 2006#192006-03-12T20:27+00:00

^That mall pic could double for DC on a snowy day.

These pics are great. You really have an eye.

archmadness · PostMar 14, 2006#202006-03-14T21:20+00:00

There are some awesome pics in this thread from angles not to often seen. Thanks for sharing.

shinpickle · PostMar 21, 2006#212006-03-21T21:27+00:00

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Looking forward to spring so I can get out some more.

I was thinking about other good vantage points:

the eads bridge

the chain of rocks bridge

the levy along the riverfront trail

the viewing deck on the casino queen

the chemical building

I also bet you could get into almost any apartment highrise by asking to look around or for a tour. There are many 15+ story apt buildings all over the city.

and regarding the photo of the boston skyline, the only place that comes to mind is up north near Olive & Boyle, where it's all residential & looking east you can see the arch from even street level. I bet if you got up a few stories it might look like this. A topographical map of st louis city would help, I've looked all over the web to no avail. and you definitely need a good zoom lens to pull of that telephoto (flattening) effect.

southslider · PostMar 21, 2006#222006-03-21T22:01+00:00

^Here's an elevation map of the St. Louis region.

framer · PostMar 25, 2006#232006-03-25T04:34+00:00

And some of you guys want to build on the Mall blocks in that Keil photo! Tsk Tsk!

jefferson · PostMar 25, 2006#242006-03-25T05:49+00:00

^ it's pretty, but notice the dearth of actual people in the photo

mattonarsenal · PostMar 27, 2006#252006-03-27T05:34+00:00

From South Side National Bank...

From the Equitable Building