Hyatt Regency san Francisco at Christmas

(uh, oh) Christmas Bo-ho-ho-nus !

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 30 December 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

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.

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Comments (24)

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

Impressive art work

30 Dec 2008 5:24am

sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

It's really quite beautiful. I understand why you couldn't resist.

30 Dec 2008 5:29am

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

From this angle we can appreciate the incredible spaciousness of this Hyatt.
Great interior architecture, much better than the NY's.
Very sharp and clean image.

30 Dec 2008 6:49am

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

Beautiful indeed, magical, luxurious... so luxurious... i think i prefer the modest but cute decorations of the 27-12 post.... :-))

30 Dec 2008 7:14am

@Evelyne Dubos: Just between you and me - - - me, too !

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

oh wow -- i was going to say this must be daytime! is this a time exposure then? it seems much brighter than when i was there last week!! i just love those periwinkle lights! beautiful!!

30 Dec 2008 8:09am

@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 from London, United Kingdom

It must be very impressive to visit, beautiful sculpture, wow

30 Dec 2008 8:14am

@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 from South Wales, United Kingdom

Great shot Stephen...so is this the same sort of Christmas display that we all drag down from the attic every year???

30 Dec 2008 8:16am

@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 from New Jersey, United States

I can't imagine being there to see this massive, beautiful space! Your photos are incredible and manage to show the scale of it very well! Excellent!

30 Dec 2008 10:43am

@Betty: How very kind, Betty - thanks.

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

Glad you did another, thats great

30 Dec 2008 12:06pm

@Alun Lambert: Thanks, Alun. (I really enjoyed that relaxed shot with you and your dad)

yz from Budapest, Hungary

great framing!

30 Dec 2008 12:23pm

dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa

Will have to go back and visit the rest of your shots - this is simply magnificent!

30 Dec 2008 12:27pm

@dobbino: Thank you, most kindly - and Happy New Year.

Marcie from United States

WOW! I can only imagine how enormous this sculpture is. The christmas tree looks almost miniature in comparison.

30 Dec 2008 1:06pm

@Marcie: It IS big.

JJ from Jersey City, United States

I am glad you were talked into posting this shot, the sheer magnitude of the display is amazing

30 Dec 2008 1:53pm

hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong

Wow, that's fabulous!!! Fascinating lighting! Super capture Stephen!

30 Dec 2008 3:43pm

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

A real eye opener, that is some display. Nice nice Stephen.

30 Dec 2008 4:13pm

willow from Chelsea, United States

Wonderful! I'm glad you added this one on. It really gives a sense of size to the image from yesterday. Both are beautifully captured. I struggle with long exposures even with a tripod, but you certainly have it mastered!

30 Dec 2008 5:12pm

@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 from San Bruno, CA, United States

5am!! were you out and about on an early jaunt? or did you stay the night? regardless -- this is still a faaabulous image! :)

30 Dec 2008 5:59pm

@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.

Alphons from Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

It's of incredible beauty. Well captured and composed.

30 Dec 2008 7:07pm

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Wow it is quite impressive, so full of lights and the colours are phenomenal, bravo!

30 Dec 2008 9:44pm

@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine.

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

This is great!!!!! Happy New Year to you too.

30 Dec 2008 11:03pm

grant from kansas city, United States

wow, very impressive!

31 Dec 2008 2:29am

John Maslowski from Dallas, PA, United States

Truly a stunning and beautiful picture Stephen. Great angle, love the art work and the architecture. Outstanding job composing this shot. Hope you have a Happy New Year.

31 Dec 2008 2:50am

@John Maslowski: Thanks, John - Happy New Year to you, too. See you in the aught-nine.