For years, I have been riding the public transit system in Atlanta. Traveling from North to South and from East to West. Not only have I utilized MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) I have also cycled thru the streets and circled Hwy 285 with a rental car.
Throughout all my my travels, I came to one major conclusion, Marta is just Smarter when you are an Atlanta Photographer. In this article, I will layout a few reasons why.
Keep it in the City
MARTA route map
Depending on who you ask, Marta is either great or terrible. Honestly, the reviews from locals are mostly bad. The rail system does not reach neighborhoods desperately seeking public transit options and fails to run on an even schedule (Every 20-25mins on Weekends). This all works against the daily commuter if you are not located within at least a few miles from a train station. However, for photographer, the rail system works perfect.
Most of what the City of Atlanta has to offer photography wise, can be accessed by Marta. For example, popular attractions like Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park, Martin Luther King Historic Site and Little Five Points are situated in walking distance from a Train Station. Photographers who are new to the city can easily explore the city for just $2.50 or $9/day. As an avid photography enthusiast who grew into a pro photographer in the city of Atlanta, I still choose Marta traveling to shoots located within the perimeter.
Sometimes, I get a strange look from clients when I roll up to a shoot on a bicycle. It does not matter to me however, I just love to cycle and see the city.
Sights only the feet can see
Photo of Atlanta Photographer by LongShots Media
One thing about me is that I will always get my miles in. I believe I was active my entire life, from playing soccer in my youth to suiting up for the NCAA tournament and all the way to cycling the Atlanta landscape. Back in the late spring and into the late summer of 2011, I photo-walked all over the city.
Photo Take By Lance Long of LongShots Media
I was so enamored with the city in the forest, that I was hit with the major cliché and got lost. Using one of Sony’s early releases of their mirrorless DLSR cameras, the A55, I was able to learn not only an new craft, but a new city. Atlanta has many pockets with it’s coat. Once you get off at a station, you are really stepping into a sub-culture of Atlanta.
Cabbagetown by LongShots Media
With each one providing its own set of creative expression, shopping options and living habits. Being able to photo-walk thru one of these hubs can take it’s time. By using Marta, you do not have to worry about parking and can easily transfer to a bus-line or take a widely available scooter.
Jackson-Street-Bridge-View-of-Atlanta-by LongShots Media
When you drive in Atlanta, you must first pass level one, which is HWY 285! HWY 285 circles the metropolis of Atlanta, connecting peripheral neighborhoods to one another. The drawback to this is that if you are new to the city and do not pass the first level of HWY 285, you may never see what the city truly has to offer.
There are 3 other main highways that run thru Atlanta, and that is HWY 20 and HWY75/85. each poses its own challenges and only HWY 75 and 85 run thru Atlanta enough for you to get a glimpse of the city. The best way to photo-walk or travel to a shoot within Atlanta is to utilize Marta.
Time to Reflect and Rewind
Train Seat by LongShots Media
Writing has been the Yang to my Photography’s Yin. By this, I mean my camera can capture a thousand words, and my pen can express it. When I complete a shoot, I look forward to the Marta ride home. It allows me to process the shoot mentally and reset my mind thru writing.
Marta City Hall by LongShots Media
There are dozens of journals that occupy space on my office bookshelf. Releasing is big for us creators. After all, we are vessels who need to both inhale and exhale. As Creators, we must inhale our environment and exhale creativity. We need time to reset our replenish our tool kit. For me, this is done by riding the Marta and writing away.
Conclusion
Dunwoody Marta King and Queen by LongShotsMedia
Overall, it is my opinion and only that, Marta is just Smarter when you are a Photographer in Atlanta. Being able to access unlimited travel around the metro Atlanta Area for under $10/day is an awesome perk of Marta. I do not want this to read like a Marta ad, since I am not getting in cash money form the authority. However, when it comes to my specific needs as a Pro Photographer living in Atlanta, I often find my self opting for a Marta trip over a Car/Uber ride.
