Joy of Light Photoblog
Financial District - Night
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 27 January 2009 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.
A night capture of pretty much the same view we saw yesterday. We're on high in the original financial district in San Francisco. The beautiful and elegant Russ Building (the art deco building with the black top to the right of center) was once the tallest building in San Francisco.
It is now dwarfed by dozens of monster skyscrapers to the north, east, and west. The area around Rincon Hill has sprouted buildings of 50 and 60 floors that are already occupied - and much taller towers are under construction.
© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission
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Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
You are right, the Russ Building looks dwarfy, but is beautiful. And I like also the new ones, it's a nice center. (But I prefer your small houses with bright colors).
27 Jan 2009 5:25am
Teresa from Mountain View, United States
I love this. Beautiful night shot. Referring to your post that one rincon center is a thorn in my side. It hurts my heart every time I see it.
27 Jan 2009 5:27am
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
I love your night shots! Something I have no idea how to take. I tried many times, I even bought a book "Understanding Exposure" to learn about it. I am in the process of reading the book and am hoping that by the end of it I will be able to take as beautiful night photos as you do Stephen. Wish me luck! ;)
27 Jan 2009 5:40am
@Magda: Magda - the one piece of advice I would emphasis - get a good tripod and head. Don't skimp. One good thing about tripods is you can get a good used one if you need to watch your budget. Shop carefully. Be sure it is very sturdy. Sets up easily and quickly. That you are comfortable carrying it. (mine has a rubber hand-grip which is nice when it's cold). I find having legs that can adjust to odd and extreme angles to be useful in tight places and on rocks. You'll pay the most for a carbon fiber tripod. They are very light yet sturdy. You will sometimes need to weigh them down if it is very windy. My experience is that if your tripod is too heavy or awkward - you will tend not to carry it.
The tripod head should adjust and lock into place quickly. See if you can find a retailer with a good selection that you can try in store.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Beautiful lights...it's got a soft quality in colour and tone, so unusual for a night shot. Bravo.
27 Jan 2009 5:43am
GJC from Kyoto, Japan
Both are lovely, but the lights and tones in the night shot are special. A soft aspect.
27 Jan 2009 5:53am
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Beautiful capture of the wonderful night light... so quiet and peaceful! Love it, Stephen.:-)
27 Jan 2009 6:01am
@hugo poon: From you - oh, stalker of the night vision - this mean a lot.
Suzanne from Huntington Bch, California, United States
Another sparkling city scene. Very well done.
27 Jan 2009 6:27am
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
Another strong night-shot. This time I am especially happy that you did not crop more at the bottom as the visible roof resembles a frame and keep the viewer 'in the picture'.
27 Jan 2009 7:07am
@Vink: Hey, Vink - thanks! It is good to hear from you.
k@ from Paris, France
Your lights are gorgeous, turn every buidling into sparkling jewels !
27 Jan 2009 8:50am
@k@: You are kind, k@ - thanks.
Mike from Lichfield, United Kingdom
A much more appealing shot with all the lights on. Quite magical. I can't remember where it was now, but somewhere in SF there's a skyscraper with a glass elevator on the outside. I always fancied taking a ride in it but never did.
27 Jan 2009 9:26am
@Mike: Two of them, Mike. The Fairmont Hotel has a single glass elevator going from the lobby floor to 'The Crown Room' - their bar on the top floor. The Saint Francis Hotel has a whole bank of glass elevators serving its tower and facing Union Square.
dogilicious from Millerstown, PA, United States
Great light in this one. There are some rally interesting buildings from the plain building in front of us to the very ornate building in the lower right. Gret composition
27 Jan 2009 11:31am
EYES WIDE SHUT from United Kingdom
You've really captured the city beautifully by night. Ful of vibrancy and interest, very well done
27 Jan 2009 12:55pm
Susan from Pompano Beach, FL, United States
Beautiful shot, and I'm quite jealous..... Your city is one of the prettiest I've seen..... and to think that I only had 10 days there......Someday, i'll get back out there.....
27 Jan 2009 12:56pm
@Susan: We will be waiting for you, Susan.
Diane Schuller from Hythe, Canada
what a really appealing night shot. Very well done. Great exposure too.
27 Jan 2009 3:00pm
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
The night shot is quite nice with the warm lights. Nice composition too.
27 Jan 2009 5:52pm
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
Wonderful work Stephen. Now I understand your critic (constructive, which I appreciate a lot) in my friday's photo...
Those night lights are so wonderful.
27 Jan 2009 6:18pm
@Rui: Thanks, Rui. I really liked your castle shot Friday - it has such a strong line coming down along that hillside. Adobe's Photoshop Elements is probably the best buy in software on the planet and would allow you to adjust your white balance well. Elements can do almost everything regular Photoshop can do at a fraction of the cost. Get a good book to learn with - Scott Kelby's books are excellent. A solid tripod and you'd be good to go...
melodia from ffm, Germany
really interesting how different the same view looks like at different times of the day. i prefer this one i think.
good work!
27 Jan 2009 7:34pm
@melodia: This is why I posted the 'Day' one first. Always save the best for last - otherwise you'll disappoint...
Betty from New Jersey, United States
I love them both! Almost looks like a different place! Beautifully done!
27 Jan 2009 8:25pm
Ted from South Wales, United Kingdom
I endorse your advice to Rui on both book & software...
Great shot Stephen, fantastic crisp exposure.
27 Jan 2009 9:00pm
@Ted: Hey, Ted - thanks - good to hear from you.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
It is difficult to believe it is a night shot, because the light is so nice…
27 Jan 2009 9:39pm
grant from kansas city, United States
and what a pair these two make - well done!
27 Jan 2009 10:15pm
@grant: Thanks, grant - much appreciated
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
I like this night shot also. I think the cloudy sky adds additional interest and the lighting is great!!
27 Jan 2009 10:49pm
@Scott Schilling: Thank you, Scott.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Seeing all these lights gives a reassuring feeling that the city lives !
27 Jan 2009 11:36pm
@Observing: So far, Mike - the pulse is a little irregular just now but it still has one...
John Maslowski from Dallas, PA, United States
Wow, stunning shot Stephen. The sharpness and details are amazing. You nailed the exposure with this shot. Love the architecture and lights, excellent image.
28 Jan 2009 3:18am
willow from Chelsea, United States
It looks so much warmer and more inviting in the glow of the night lights.
29 Jan 2009 4:33pm
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