There are some lovely spots on the outskirts of Chester, if you want I'll list them for you!

The only tip I will give, is to make yours unique from everyone else's.

 Find somewhere new or different.
 Otherwise, you have the potential to duplicate what is already out there already.

(09 Nov 2014, 8:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote Jimmi

The only tip I will give, is to make yours unique from everyone else's.
Find somewhere new or different.

Otherwise, you have the potential to duplicate what is already out there already.

(09 Nov 2014, 8:13 pm)Jimmi wrote I've got some ideas for places in Chester, but do feel free to give me some ideas for more places.
I don't know Gateshead that well, so I'm looking for ideas and when I get to know the place a bit better I can dig deeper into Gateshead and possibly find some new spots.

I've always fancied trying Chester Moor (since Andreos1 suggested it), but never quite got round to it. Just outside of Chester (Northlands) is quite a good place, and there's a decent frequency too. Other than that, I'd suggest perhaps just jumping on a bus for a stop or two outside of the town centre, and see what it's like there?

 There's plenty places in Gateshead. Quayside, Swing Bridge, and the Baltic being the most obvious if you want Quaylink shots. There's also Jackson Street (but I'd have your witts about you there), Low Fell, and various spots up Deckham bank. Near the Riverside Depot isn't bad either, as the traffic flow makes it easy to get good shots.
 Newcastle is a bit of the same, but there's a fair bit opportunity in the City Centre. Especially around New Bridge Street, High Street West, John Dobson Street and Blackett Street. St Mary's Place makes it a bit easier for good shots, with there being traffic control in place at the moment.

(09 Nov 2014, 8:37 pm)Jimmi wrote Thanks.

Tried up by Riverside depot once and got some good shots but was tricky that day as there was roadwork's that day.

Will hopefully get some decent weather and good lighting for when I venture up that way.

The best way to get to know new places is by actually doing the full route of a particular service you wish to photograph.

 What you've always got to keep in mind is, whilst you may want to achieve originality, you've also got to realise that the clock is always ticking and the next repaint, transfer or withdrawal in the region is right around the corner... If you want to keep on top of everything, you may have to get quite a few photos in the same locations too. I think it's all about balance.

(31 Aug 2014, 3:07 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Hi everyone,

Soon, I'm planning on starting taking photographs of transport (hopefully a nice mixture of railways and buses), and intend to start a Flickr account etc.

Just looking for some advice, I'm fine on the part of the railways, I train-spot at CLS regularly and see many guys taking photos without any hastle, I'm just a bit concerned about the buses.....

I've always been a relatively well-behaved kid, and on the rare occasion that I get told off, I really do get annoyed about it, especially if it's for something as simple and innocent as snapping a few shots of a bus on it's first day in service. I reckon I'll be fine in Chester-Le-Street, but in terms of wanting to add a bit of variety to my photos, in places like Newcastle and Gateshead, I don't really like the idea of a policeman coming along and asking to view all of your photos.

Can anyone give me any advice on the best places in the 'notorious' zones on where to take photographs of buses. Thanks in advance and any advice is appreciated.

Marcus

(15 Dec 2014, 10:08 am)ArrivaNE_7522 wrote A police officer was asking me why I was taking photos of buses from the fence at Ashington bus depot. 
Here's some tips...

When approached by a police officer, and they ask why you are taking photos of the buses, say that you have an interest with buses.

If you look 12-15 they will ask if you are alone (the police didn't take the alone part any further).

Give them your name and address (they might ask for a parents telephone number)

They will do a check through the police systems.

When all the information adds up and is fine they will then leave.

At no point they asked to look at my photos, if they did, I would have told them to come to my house with a warrant to look at my photos. (Very unlikely)

(26 Jan 2015, 8:06 pm)Jimmi wrote How do you crop photos on Flickr?

Just noticed I have my finger covering the lense on some of my photos today, I hate that I do this.

(26 Jan 2015, 8:10 pm)Dan wrote Below the photo, in the light grey bit, there's four icons on the right.

First one looks like a photo frame with some mountains in it, and on the next icon along, there's a little square with a pen in it. Click that one, click 'Edit with Aviary', then you'll know what to do from there.

(26 Jan 2015, 8:14 pm)Jimmi wrote All I can see is a magnifying glass and rotate.

flickr_aviary.png (Size 1.39 MB | Downloads 29)

(26 Jan 2015, 8:21 pm)Jimmi wrote Right it seems I'm getting a bit ahead of myself then.

flickr_aviary.png (Size 858.97 KB | Downloads 28)

(17 Feb 2015, 4:47 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote May I ask, when anybody else was starting to take photos, did you find it sometimes it felt hard to take your camera out in the open? Especially with chavs, etc, who make you feel uncomfortable?

I'm finding it harder and harder to take my camera out for a matter of 5 seconds to take a photo, at the risk of being stared at, etc. Some people can make you feel really nervous...

I guess it's just because I'm still starting out.

(17 Feb 2015, 4:47 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote May I ask, when anybody else was starting to take photos, did you find it sometimes it felt hard to take your camera out in the open? Especially with chavs, etc, who make you feel uncomfortable?

I'm finding it harder and harder to take my camera out for a matter of 5 seconds to take a photo, at the risk of being stared at, etc. Some people can make you feel really nervous...

I guess it's just because I'm still starting out.

(17 Feb 2015, 4:50 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote I felt like that when I go to new places, especially because I go out during the school term.

Give them the Marcus Stare of Doom.

(17 Feb 2015, 5:59 pm)MrFozz wrote Maybe just be the fact your new to the scene and your letting paranoia creep in, when I first started out I would go where not many could see me...As it was summer 2008 or 2009 when I started I would disguise myself by wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless hoody that was up and pulled tight.

Now I could't give a monkeys toss who see me, all my friends know what I do and they accept my 'unusual' hobby

I hope you can find it within yourself to keep taking your camera out, dont let those people who intimidate you or make you nervous and edgy win, I do hope u dont drop off the scene, would be a shame

(17 Feb 2015, 6:02 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote When I'm around other people, I feel a lot less vulnerable. I sound like such a wimp hahaha.

(17 Feb 2015, 6:05 pm)citaro5284 wrote Yup 

(17 Feb 2015, 4:47 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote May I ask, when anybody else was starting to take photos, did you find it sometimes it felt hard to take your camera out in the open? Especially with chavs, etc, who make you feel uncomfortable?

I'm finding it harder and harder to take my camera out for a matter of 5 seconds to take a photo, at the risk of being stared at, etc. Some people can make you feel really nervous...

I guess it's just because I'm still starting out.

(17 Feb 2015, 6:11 pm)aureolin wrote Go out with others. You'll find it easier. 

I'm still a bit iffy when by myself in places I don't really know. I tend not to stay in one place for too long though, as it's bound to attract attention.

(17 Feb 2015, 6:06 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Once again, wipe that sMERC off your face, citaro!

(17 Feb 2015, 6:16 pm)aureolin wrote Do it.

You'll always think people are looking at you mind, but that's more than likely because they're curious about what you're doing? I'm sure you do it yourself to other people.

(17 Feb 2015, 6:55 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Would anyone describe Concord as a rough area?

It just seemed to be rather quiet when I went though on a 56 the other day, but I've seen one or two photos with chavs hovering in the background.

I might try again tomorrow. (providing it's not a bad place)

(17 Feb 2015, 7:06 pm)MrFozz wrote Never done much at Concord, but felt alright the once or twice I have been there

(17 Feb 2015, 6:51 pm)MrFozz wrote Wonder what he does at work CIT-AROUND
When I first started, I constantly felt my ears burning and eyes burning through me as I felt I was being watched constantly, even though people probably were not looking, I could not be convinced otherwise...I probably attracted attention as I wore sunglasses and a hoody or baseball cap...

If people are worried about people glaring at them or feel intimidated, my advice would be go off to a quieter place rather than close to a bus station or town centre