Joy of Light Photoblog
Red's
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 28 February 2009 in Food & Cuisine.
Red's Java House
an historic dive along the San Francisco waterfront
© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission
Your comments are invited. You will also find me at ...
@shroom: Hey, Shroom - thanks.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Wonderful shot!!! all the colors are just fab!!!
28 Feb 2009 5:09am
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
Awesome work Stephen. The reflection is perfect and I love how you kept all of the structure lines nice and vertical - no distortion. The bridge really adds another dimension to this also!! Great work.
28 Feb 2009 5:15am
@Scott Schilling: Thanks, Scott - and...
A great big 'wow' to you. I made it down to Scott Street (isn't that ironic) around noon yesterday. At first I was confused, disappointed, and perplexed. There was nothing in the front window and a 'Closed' sign hung by the open front door. I stuck my head through the door and got a laugh from the two women within - after they realized they'd left that sign up in error.
Your four prints are now on the west wall - to the left of the front door as you enter. These beautifully presented prints are most impressive. The one with the swollen Merced River and the mists and low clouds nestled amongst the trees around Bridalveil Falls just blows me away. They are all excellent.
You asked about contrast on these prints and I say - stop it! When you first asked me to comment on the contrast - I was thinking Black & White. I tend to like monochrome prints a little on the contrasty side. The opposite is the case when presenting color. So many digital photographer/printers tend to push contrast and to me it appears over-done and phony. These prints you have showing at the gallery in Photography are perfect.
Bravo! Very nicely done, Scott.
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Beautiful colors and an interesting corner near the bridge. I like these so characteristic places like Red's. And I like also the colors of the reflections in the puddle.
28 Feb 2009 5:24am
MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States
How cool is that?! Nice lens! You just about could get Oakland to The Golden Gate with that thing. I'm impressed.
Good shot Stephen.
28 Feb 2009 6:01am
@MontereyJohn: Your comment has me laughing. I was just at Pier 14 for the sunrise and could just barely get in the west span of the Bay Bridge - and of course, I wanted more. Also, the sunrise looked like it was going to be spectacular. It was pretty, but subtle. As you know - we have a storm coming in - and the low clouds muted the show.
Suzanne from Huntington Bch, California, United States
Oh my, I love this, Stephen. The clouds and bridge reflecting in the water, the glow of the neon lights in the windows, that bold red line framing one side...pure perfection.
28 Feb 2009 7:43am
@Suzanne: Thanks, Suzanne. This old 'dive' is just a couple of blocks from my office and I set out this particular day on the spur of the moment and nothing in mind for shooting. It had been raining off and on all day and I was using the break in the rain to get a little much needed exercise away from the computer.
When I came upon this scene - my jaw dropped. The first couple of exposures were with a really wrong camera setting - so, I was doubly glad I caught this in time to get this capture. Another powerful reminder to always carry the camera.
Chris from South Jersey, United States
awesome composition - the red line, the bridge, the reflection of the clouds, the lighting - truly a great shot (IMHO).....
28 Feb 2009 8:47am
@Chris: Your humble opinion is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris.
@k@: Hey k@ - thanks...
yz from Budapest, Hungary
cool how the red title and the stripe frame that beautiful reflection
28 Feb 2009 9:46am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Fantastically composed, love all elements in there, it's eye candy...especially that reflection in the puddle, bravo!
28 Feb 2009 11:28am
@Lorraine: Bless you for these kind words, Lorraine - thank you.
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
A wonderful image, Stephen. I like the gritty cinematic feel of this.
28 Feb 2009 12:07pm
Lesley from Lincoln, United States
Very nice reflection of the clouds in that puddle in the foreground. Nice composition, Stephen!
28 Feb 2009 12:39pm
hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong
Wow, Stephen, what a fantastic shot!!! The reflections, perspective, composition, lighting, colours..... absolutely beautiful!:-)
28 Feb 2009 3:21pm
Walter from Watkinsville, United States
It is amazing how the photo of 'Reds', which is the main focus of the photo, is given so much more depth and understanding by just catching one corner of the building including the facade. This quaint little place has much more of a personality now that I can see what surrounds the building. I can see quite a diverse crowd flowing into this establishment.
28 Feb 2009 4:04pm
@Walter: In the words of the illustrious Ed McMahon - "You are correct sir !" - Red's attracts a very wide cross section of humanity. A splendid 'people watching' venue.
DenisSm from Prague, Czech Republic
nice one Stephen....as i fight with some Java app whole Sat here in my comp, this is really nice relax of my Java :-)).
28 Feb 2009 6:51pm
alex centrella from California, United States
i know where this was taken, i believe i shot the same angle of it a few years back..Bravo !
28 Feb 2009 7:48pm
@alex centrella: Wow, Alex - small world. I shot Red's at night a couple of times with no great result. I see this place every day and so tend to give it little attention - that is, until I walked up to this puddle.
Liang from San Francisco, United States
a great angle approach on this shot stephen! I've yet to go to that kind of place besides Mission Rock Cafe!
28 Feb 2009 9:56pm
@Viewfinder: Having some pride in the excellent eateries of San Francisco - I make no recommendation - pro or con - on dining here. I work two blocks away and haven't dined here in twenty years. I'll leave my comment at that.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
The red strip on the pavement matches up nicely with the logo on the structure. Nice capture.
1 Mar 2009 3:11am
@sherri: The cloud in the puddle is what had me quickly on the ground. The red line was a major bonus and I don't think I knew what a powerful element it was until after I processed the image.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Wow, this is cool! Your framing is superb...I like the theme of the various lines throughout. Excellent shot!
1 Mar 2009 4:46am
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
I'm attracted to the neon lights. Maybe you can sell Red this shot as advertising.
2 Mar 2009 10:21pm
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
The reflection is a nice add to this shot
3 Mar 2009 5:32pm
reds-java-house
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