Say Click! Take a pic!

March 28, 2009 6:49 PM

Where should I go tomorrow in Ottawa to take pictures simply for the sake of taking pictures?

I want to get out with the camera (Canon xsi, 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses) and take some pictures but I'm slightly restricted in that I'll have my 3 young kids with me. Any suggestions for kid friendly, stoller accessable locations?

posted by Abbril to grab bag (11 comments total)

How about the cats of Parliament Hill?
posted by greatgefilte at 6:51 PM on March 28

It really depends on the type of photos you like to take and what the kids would be interested in. For nature, and using the 250 lens, I'd suggest Mud Lake, but I'm not sure if the trails have melted yet for the stroller consideration. The canal can be interesting, but again I don't know its current condition since I'm out in BC now, usually in spring it's either melting or drained for clean-up. The Alexandra bridge offers some usually good views, but you have to get parked, the Byward Market may be best but it's a slight walk, the Gatineau side you get reamed on the parking fee. The aviation and war museums may be interesting for them and you. There's a very active Flickr Ottawa group, it might be worthwhile posting and/or browsing there.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 8:27 PM on March 28

One other thing, the science and tech museum is largely targeted towards kids, but there's still some cool stuff to take pictures of.
posted by hungrysquirrels at 8:37 PM on March 28

The Bike Dump (near the corner of Catherine and Bronson) is a sight to behold. I was there a few days ago. The Glebe is generally pretty, striking a good balance between urban and park space. Definitely kid friendly. Commercial district Ottawa has lots of big cool buildings, the market and surrounding area has some pretty old run down buildings. A lot of cool urban stuff you could shoot, basically. Near Hogsback falls is great for some pretty scenery.

Ottawa is just a generally nice looking place to be IMHO. Decide: urban or nature or a balance of both and then go exploring! Try just working your way down the transitway.
posted by battlebison at 8:40 PM on March 28

I'd head to Parliament. There are the aforementioned cats, plus the buildings themselves, the library, many statues, and great views of the Ottawa River. Also, if the kids are up to it, it's a quick walk to the Supreme Court, the War Memorial, and the Rideau Canal locks.
posted by Clandestine Outlawry at 8:45 PM on March 28

I am not a photographer... but here are some pictures from my recent trip to Ottawa, and I think many of those places might be fun for taking pictures.

Some of the locations in my pictures:
Canal locks
Parliament (the tour might involve stairs... but I'm think you can ask to take the elevator)
National Gallery (even just in the lobby/exterior)
Bridges!
Any one of the many museums
Jail hostel (but not stroller friendly)

I think the "Bike Dump" that battlebison referred to is in the last picture.
See if any of those interest you.
posted by bread-eater at 9:53 PM on March 28

If you're interested in documenting some art, the Tech Wall, here is always in flux...
posted by huron at 10:57 PM on March 28 [1 favorite]

Aaand I just read the rest of your question. Maybe try that when the kids are in their teens... In the meantime, I have a timeless set of photos of my son playing in a ball room! Here, or here.
posted by huron at 11:04 PM on March 28

Hogs Back Park... sorry if that link expires! There's a dam/falls and some nice little paths connecting it to Vincent Massey Park on one side and Mooney's Bay on the other. Usually lots of parking this time of year too. I loved going there on walks with my parents (both avid photographers) as a kid. It's also incredibly central, so getting there is pretty easy.
posted by sunshinesky at 3:00 AM on March 29

Ottawa River, Remic Rapids? There are ducks and geese -- bring stale bread for your kids to throw while you take pictures (snap's from yesterday -- quite nice out there at the moment, plenty of strollers going by).
posted by kmennie at 7:45 AM on March 29 [1 favorite]

ugh, I know I'm too late, but here's a fix to the failed link: here
posted by sunshinesky at 2:24 PM on March 29