Las Vegas—a photographic mecca

PSA Journal, March, 2005 by Elena McTighe

Las Vegas, the gambling mecca, can also be a mecca for photographers. Whether interested in nature, architecture, portrait, or nighttime photography, pictorial opportunities abound. Recently I accompanied my husband going to Las Vegas for a builders' convention: and while he was busy, I set out to capture this photogenic opportunity with my camera.

On my first day in Las Vegas, I headed for the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. The area is rich with gorgeous flamingos, statuesque African-crested cranes, comical penguins, exotic ducks, and unusual swans. Unfortunately, buildings with pink glass facades surround the habitat and the sun can be an enormous problem, creating glaring reflections and a pink color cast. Realizing these problems, I went to the habitat early, thinking if the morning light wasn't good, I could go back and check the late afternoon light. I arrived at 8 a.m. and left at 10 a.m., and the time period was perfect. I concentrated first on the penguins (always fun to shoot), which were being fed at 8:30 a.m. and then moved on to the crested cranes. With my 80--400mm zoom lens, I was able to get some nice pictures of the cranes.

Nature photography is interesting and challenging because animals are so unpredictable and are often in constant motion. I hand-held my camera, relying on the vibration-reducing element in my lens and did not bother with my monopod. It worked well. While my personal preference was to concentrate on the wildlife at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, there were also many beautiful plants and dazzling flowers in the area which would have been fun to shoot. The Habitat is a free attraction within the Flamingo Hotel, and there are two restaurants overlooking the area where one can sit and have a bite to eat.

I checked out another hotel complex traveling by taxi to the Paris Las Vegas where there is a replica of the Eiffel Tower. I rode the elevator to the top where I was treated to a beautiful vista of the entire city and the Mohave Desert up to the distant mountains. One can walk 360 degrees around the tower, and although completely caged in, there are openings through which a camera lens will fit. Upon my descent, I noticed that the elevated walkway overlooked the entire casino floor. The Paris Casino is architecturally interesting in that the support columns for the Eiffel Tower protrude through the ceiling and are an integral part of the casino floor. Opportunities for photos abound here, too.

I walked to the Mirage and went into Siegfried and Roy's Magic" Garden, which has a dolphin pool and a small zoo. Dolphin trainers work with the sleek mammals and teach them various routines. It is amazing the affection that the dolphins have for their handlers. While there, two of the trainers were learning how to ride the dolphins: I had my chance at action photography. The rest of the zoo's animals, with the exception of the elephant, are behind chain link fences. Although I looked at the other animals, I confined my photography to the dolphins.

I love the stark beauty and dry air of this barren region, so when I am in Las Vegas, I include a day trip to the Mohave Desert. I was able to take an Annie Bananie Wild West tour bus with a guide who had an encyclopedic knowledge of Old West Nevada and was happy to share many great historical stories with us. The tour included Lake Mead and the Valley of Fire--more opportunities to shoot!

One day in Las Vegas was an impromptu day, wandering around town photographing anything that captured my interest. Buildings, people, hotel interiors, and casinos ... all of the gaud and glitter that is Las Vegas contributed to a very enjoyable photographic day. It was fun to operate without a plan, especially where there is so much of interest to photograph. Go to Las Vegas and be certain to pack a camera; there is simply no other city in the world quite like it!