.jpg)
From the North end of Creekside. Photo by Benjamin Yoder
Lets face it, even the most seasoned portrait photographer needs to get out and get some sun and fresh air every once in a while. That's what this series is all about: where to go when you need a great on-location spot in the city.
Let's take a look at a spot that is one of my favorites, Gahanna's Creekside Park. This park isn't the most photogenic in and of itself, but it can provide a few things to help out with your portrait work; first the waterfall. At the Southern end of the park, there is perched a few rocks to form a waterfall that is about 4 feet tall. The best part is that you can get your subject to go stand in the water, as it is both OK to do, and the steps of the waterfall are generally fairly shallow.
All the buildings are new, so they give new, crisp lines to frame up behind your subjects too, allowing the chance of those great leading lines! Don't miss the bridge at the western end of the plaza, between Buck Mulligan's and Mezzo (seen in the background of the picture here). It will allow you to get some great perspective, with the flags flying in the background to bring some color to the picture.
In the middle of the plaza is a great man-made pond with some fountains in the middle, and surrounding it on the walls all around. Set up here, get your subject to stay really still, bring out the tripod, and use a long shutter to make the water more dynamic.
One of the nicest things about the park is the abundance of mature trees, which give a lot of shade. This is particularly helpful in the afternoons when the sun is the most intense; you can get softer light for your subject in the shade of the paths. Also, if you're looking for a bit of a grungier look, head under the bridge that carries the traffic along Rt. 62; also a great alternative if you are forced into shooting in the middle of the day.
The major con to this area is the sheer number of people; this is a popular spot to go on nice evenings and weekends in Gahanna. See if you can get your model up in the morning to catch the good light then; you'll have many fewer people to worry about.
From the challenge of finding that just right spot along the paths, to the great water features built right into the new architecture, to the lights hung above the walkways that look like stars, Creekside provides a great location to get out and shoot. There is great food, drink, and desserts in the surrounding area, too, so if you run too late and don't want to cook dinner, you're covered!
...
Have a great place you love to head out to and use for on-location stuff? Let me know by leaving a comment or through e-mail and I may use it in a future article!
...
Like this article? Have some fun reading these as well:
On-location, the Columbus Arena District
New Nikon lenses, the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR II and Nikkor 18-200 VR II
What are you waiting for, go out and shoot already!
Comments