Joy of Light Photoblog
Union Square Christmas
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 22 December 2008 in Cityscape & Urban.
OK, AM3'ers - time to crank up the Christmas spirit. 3...2...1...
© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
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Paco Díaz from Spain
I like very much this scene in twe twilight.
At one side the big tree and at the other the big Macy's buildings :)
Hope you enjoy very much those days.
22 Dec 2008 5:57am
@Paco Díaz: Thanks, Paco. One small correction. I took this Saturday morning - just before dawn.
Suzanne from Huntington Bch, United States
A grand cityscape. I like the star pattern on the street lights and the way the big Christmas tree is mimicked in a smaller one at Macy's entrance.
22 Dec 2008 6:03am
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Very nice exposure Stephen, everything looks right, even the shopping plaza.!
22 Dec 2008 7:41am
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Lovely Christmas scene, a profusion of decorations in this big tree !!! Very good sharpness and rendering of tones.
22 Dec 2008 9:26am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Wow it's magnificent, one day, God Willing, I'll go to Macy's lol
22 Dec 2008 9:54am
@Lorraine: If Macy's is where you long to be - then may the cosmic forces align to see you there!
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Wouldn't be Christmas without Macy's! :-) Great shot, Stephen! I'm trying for that Christmas spirit!
22 Dec 2008 10:28am
@Betty: It's starting to show that if you hang out around the Aminus3 gang much longer - you'll find just that nudge needed with which to enter the Christmas Spirit frontier. Joy to the World - - - and, Betty!
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Oh, Stephen, how lovely!!! Beautiful moment and atmosphere... the "star" lights are just wonderful!:-)
22 Dec 2008 3:03pm
@hugo poon: Hey, my friend - thanks.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
GLORIOUS!!! and you have made Union Square look simply radiant -- and that is a very hard thing to do!! bravo mate!!!
22 Dec 2008 5:18pm
@dj.tigersprout: Actually, DJ - it was easier in the old and seedy days of Union Square to pull of the illusion of radiance - at least in a night shot. For the past several years - an Ice Rink here has been part of the Christmas scene. With all of the temporary sheds, cables, barricades, and the like - the square reveals a quantity of clutter. The bright lights around the rink provide a good effect.
During the Willie Brown era as Mayor of San Francisco - Union Square was rebuilt. It is elegant. Security keeps the square closed from midnight to dawn - eliminating our poor and suffering homeless from using this venue.
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
Not bad Stephen. I'm heading up that way Wednesday.
Poor and suffering? Well, SF has plenty of venues for them. A social disgrace.
Anyway, on that note, Merry Christmas!!
22 Dec 2008 7:04pm
@MontereyJohn: Merry Christmas, John. Travel safely (it is forecast to be wet that day) - How long will you be in Ess Eff ?
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
Very cool, Stephen. Almost looks like HDR processed...
22 Dec 2008 7:34pm
@Mirko Herzner: Hey, Mirko - greetings. Experimentation in Adobe Lightroom™. I love the result.
Marcie from United States
Hard for me to imagine Christmas without snow!! Nonetheless - a beautiful image.
22 Dec 2008 10:53pm
@Marcie: Somehow - after 38 years in San Francisco - I've managed to adjust to not owning a snow shovel. Cheers.
grant from kansas city, United States
isn't christmas like three or four weeks away...? cool photo!
22 Dec 2008 11:42pm
@grant: Good news for you, Grant - - - you have 367 shopping days until next Christmas!
DarkElf from Perth, Australia
brilliant twilight shot! this is probably the best time for good evenign shots, the light you have here is perfect as is the sharpness throughout the frame!
23 Dec 2008 12:55am
@DarkElf: I wouldn't be mentioning this if I hadn't climbed out of a warm bed into the chill darkness to capture this pre-dawn image. That tripod was cold. The sacrifices I'll make for AM3 !
JJ from Jersey City, United States
Beautiful early morning shot (luckily I read comments or I would also have said twilight) a beautiful shot of the area and the trees big and bigger, lovely lighting
23 Dec 2008 1:19am
@JJ: Well, I am impressed! And honored at your going for the details. Season's Greetings, JJ !
John Maslowski from Dallas, PA, United States
Exceptional image, Stephen. Love everything about this shot. Great sharpness and details. A truly beautiful Christmas display. Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year.
23 Dec 2008 3:47am
@John Maslowski: You too, John. I am grateful for many things this year - and getting to know you is definitely among them. Enjoy your holidays.
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