I know I said yesterday that I was ending my Christmas posts for this year. However it became obvious that many of you weren't aware of the Hyatt's Christmas display, and Glenn (viewfinder) inspired me to post this expanded view.
It is difficult to do justice to the scale of what's here. The seventeen-story atrium kind of throws the senses. The sphere and the huge toy town beneath it - sit above a flat reflecting pool of black marble. You can see some of the flow near the base of the Christmas tree. Much of what one might perceive to be the base of the tree - is actually a reflection in that fountain.
Both yesterday's and today's image were taken at night. It is bright in this space.
© copyright 2018 by Stephen Phillips Photography / Oakland, California / www.JoyOfLight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission.
@Evelyne Dubos: Just between you and me - - - me, too !
@dj.tigersprout: Greetings, DJ - I took this (on tripod) at about 5:30 AM. My two biggest criticisms of this image are; first - that the image would be far more inviting with people around, and second - that your comment made me realize that the lights are turned-up far brighter than in the evening - I suppose for security and cleaning.
The exif data: Canon 5D w/ Canon 16-35mm f 2.8 lens; ISO 50; 16mm @ f/ 10.0; 10 second exposure. Perspective correction and white balance applied in Adobe Photoshop.
@chrissy: It is both impressive and an easy 4 block walk from my office. Frankly, I much prefer more traditional Christmas settings and find the architecture of the Hyatt to be 'cold'. Next year - I'll try the Ritz-Carlton.
@Ted: YO, Ted - you got it! Actually - to their credit - the Hyatt always has an amazing collection of toys and that they change each year. This year featured scale models of amusement park rides. Ferris wheels, carousels, aeroplane rides, and the like. I remember one year - they had a collection of 'Elvis' nutcrackers. Hundreds of them. From miniature to several feet tall. All different. All hand-painted.
@Betty: How very kind, Betty - thanks.
@Alun Lambert: Thanks, Alun. (I really enjoyed that relaxed shot with you and your dad)
@dobbino: Thank you, most kindly - and Happy New Year.
@Marcie: It IS big.
@willow: Hi, willow - if you are struggling with the tripod - you may need a different tripod. It should be relatively light to carry - very sturdy - easy to set up and break down quickly - and with a head that is responsive to adjust. Nothing will improve your photography more quickly and dramatically. Get the very best you can afford and remember that this is one thing you can (generally) buy safely used. Shooting the things you can at a lower ISO alone is worth the time in my view. Good luck - and Happy New Year!
@dj.tigersprout: Hey, partner. You have an old fart here. I'm generally early to bed and early to rise. I love getting out before the dawn and do most mornings.
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine.
@John Maslowski: Thanks, John - Happy New Year to you, too. See you in the aught-nine.