Blue Hour at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5.3, ISO 1600, EV +0.3, 92mm focal length.

The Sun goes below the horizon at the Great New York State Fair earlier this week. I grabbed my tripod and headed to the bright lights and rides of the James E. Strates Show Midway to enjoy some long exposure photography.

I know beginner photographers can be timid about using a tripod in public places such as fairs and theme parks.  Don’t be.  Unless the venue clearly has rules against them, tripods are allowed.  Use common sense and set up tripods away from heavy pedestrian traffic and do not block doorways and vendor booths.  When I have been approached by officials, I am friendly and show them what I am doing.  Most are just curious or are interested in photography.

I set up my tripod across from the Wave Swinger away from foot traffic and near a rest area. This kept people from banging into my tripod and them tripping over it.

Wave Swinger or Swings have been a part of the New York State Fair for decades.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/2s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length, tripod.

A new ride for the Great New York State Fair Midway this year is called the Space Roller.  I watched it for a couple of cycles to decide the best times to photograph it.  Then, all I needed to do was try a few different shutter speeds.  I liked how the one below came out with a 2 second exposure.

The Space Roller gives people quite a ride at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 2s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 52mm focal length, tripod.

Anytime you are photographing with lots of people about, be patient.  I took a few photos of the Museum of World Oddities looking for the right group of people to walk past. This was my sixth attempt and the only one I was happy with of the set.

People walking past the Museum of World Oddities at the Great New York State Fair.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/2s, f/8, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length, tripod.

For this next photo, I found a temporary stage not being used to get me off the ground for a good angle and away from people walking on the street below.  This is when all those resort and attraction photos I take at Walt Disney World paid off.

Pyrke House 4-H building at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 8s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length, tripod.

Here’s the extended caption for this photo:

Pyrke House 4-H building at The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York. Also known as the Youth Building, the Pyrke House was built in 1930 specifically to house 4-H exhibits and 4-H’ers during the Fair. The building is named in honor of Berne Pyrke, then Commissioner of NYS Agriculture & Markets. The exhibits are on the ground floor while dorms are upstairs for the 4-H’ers to stay in while attending the Fair.

Get ready for more NYS Fair photos as I am going back this weekend. 🙂