I managed to spot from there yesterday, though I only stayed 1 1/2 hours. The interesting thing is, that annoying fence with the blue wrapping is not currently there. Does anyone know about this? It does look like some sort of work is being done in the fencing area, probably something to block the view even more is being planned.
Greg
Dude that's an off limits spot and I wouldn't recommend it. In the past it use to be a prime spot, ppl use to folk there and not just photogs but after 9/11 they don't want people there. Its to bad because it would be a nice spot in the morning and a great place just to kick back in your car and just watch the action.
This used to be a nice place to go and relax. However, once you pulled out the camera, trouble usually started.
It is certainly private property....federal property at that, and they get a little touchy at times.
The things in the fence were a clear sign that they didn't want us there, and I'm surprised that they've been removed. I'm sure it's temporary though.
Email me anytime at [email protected].
I've sat in that spot. There are a lot of guys just watching the traffic come in while listening to ATC. For shooting I don't think the light is that great. Early morning it's over your left shoulder if your facing 31R and it just gets worse as the day goes. So not a good spot for pics IMO. If you want to watch planes it's ok.
'My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person doing something unfamous.' Andy Warhol
It is a great spot, I was there just to watch, no pics. This may have helped keep CBP away from me. While I was there a few people did stop by to watch , along with 1 or 2 limos.
Greg
Its a great spot to get a special arrival or something but anything more than that its best to move on and go someplace else- as others have said. It used to be an awsome spot to hangout on the weekends before they put up the blue mesh cover. The USC Officer (forgot his name) with the shaggy bomb sniffing dog and the ragged red van would always come over every hour or so and sniff around the cars but that was all and would never say a word usually. On a good day you could see several families and many photogs hanging out there. It was a nice place to tell people about the hobby.
Get your shots while you can because they are putting up a security fence with motion sensors along all of that area where the USC lot is. If its not a full fledged blast barrier the other spots will have double fences. When it done USC lot will be 100 percent unshootable mainly because you wont be able to see anything. This was the first spot I foud at JFK when I went to the airport for the first time.
My last shot from there is probably the Angola 707.
Unless you were there very early in the morning the place was only good to shoot when it was cloudy.
Senga
I was sat there today for about 4 hours with no problems.
There were 2 others there, Joe Pries and someone else.
What happened after the 4 hours!?
:)
Senga
I came home :DOriginally Posted by SengaB
Oh ok,
Glad it worked out.
:)
This was my spot from age 10 to about age 20. I would spend endless hours there. Even in the early and mid 1990's cops would occasionally harass you but it came with the territory. I actually have video of landing and t/o action circa 1993 or 1994 from that spot. It's pretty amazing to see now. If I find it I could sent it to anyone interested.
Recently, I've gone back to that spot when visiting NY and found that if you park away from the fence a bit and stand outside the car no one cares you're there. I've gone back maybe 4 or 5 times and watched for 2 or 3 hours at a time and endless cops and customs police have driven by and nodded my way but said nothing.
Thats cool, you know it was also the place where I met my first NYC photog :)
Conrad Smith.
We were both shooting the last Avianca B762 in the orange whale colors.
Senga
The US Customs spot, along with Cargo Plaza, were the only spots I knew of at JFK up until I joined NYCAviation in 2005.
I also remember spending countless hours with my dad standing up against the fence or sitting in the car watching the aircraft touch down on 31R, lift off from 13L, coming off of 13L, and even take offs and landings on 22L/4L. The best part about that lot is that it is located right next to where the Icelandair Cargo parks and also when they are using 22L for take offs 13L serves as a taxiway and the aircraft are very close to the fence.
I remember one summer day back in 2003 when my father and I had to drive some friends to the airport and later went onto the customs spot and there were so many planes lined up for take off to beat an incoming storm. I was getting jet blast standing next to the fence and getting pelted with little rocks from 747s as they passed by. It was an amazing couple of hours.
It truly was a shame when they put up the blue fence, I can remember how distraught my father and I were. Unfortunately now I don't have a lens that would fit through the fence and also as already mentioned it would only be good in the early morning or when it was cloudy. Most of my fathers shots from that spot are backlit but we do have some keepers!
Here are some shots from an older thread that I posted:
The Customs Lot was always a favorite spot of mine. On a number of occations on a hot summer day the JFK Fire Dept would come by and spray everybody down. I took at number of video's from that location in the late 90's. When the Concorde would depart 22R was always something to see from that spot.
Always a good spot for tail shots.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0847049/M/
It's hard to take chances but sometimes it's better if you do
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