NYC Photo Walk - 03/19/2010

I started this photo walk around the Radio City Music Hall area on my way to Penn Station. Across the street from 30 Rock, there is a large fountain. This made a great foreground subject, so that it looks like Radio City is floating on water.

I was checking out different vantage points when I noticed the reflections coming off the Time Life building's sculpture. I liked how it distorted the letters to "Radio City", instead of just a normal reflection.

I've found a new vantage point for the Empire State Building. The only problem is that it's in a very busy area. It must have taken me about 15 mins before I was able to get a clear shot, but I like this closeup view, so it was worth it.

Looking for those street level reflections took some time. This night proved very difficult, as it hadn't rained here in over a week. I managed to find this one, just off Broadway, near Times Square. I like how the theatre marque looks with the white limo off in the distance.

NYC Photo Walk - 03/17/2010

Wednesday the 19th of March was St. Patty's day. On occasion of the event, the Empire State Building was lit fully in green. Knowing this beforehand, I decided to bring my camera in for a photo walk. What also helped was that it was about 65 out that day as well.

The photo below is of the fountain in Bryant Park. The area was roped off, as they were in the process of disassembling the ice rink that is there in the winter. I like the glow that comes from the fountain, it's almost as if I used flashes to capture this.

If you've never been to NYC before, there are hundered year old steam pipes that run underneath the streets of Manhattan. Well, these sometimes suffer cracks, which then allows steam to exit from the street. Anytime that happens, the city puts in place these temporary steam venting pipes, and block off the area. For that "only in NYC" feel for the photo, I captured a speeding taxi going by as well.

From my favorite vantage point, here is the ESB lit in green. The green reminded me of Slimer from Ghostbusters.

I was inspired to take the photo below after following maybemaq's photostream on flickr for sometime. His reflection shots are the best, my attempt at one is below. The hardest part of doing these is finding the puddles in an area that has plenty of light and a worthwhile subject, as well as nothing upsetting the water (causing ripples).

Welcome to Vegas

Well, it wouldn't be a proper Vegas post if I didn't start off with the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. I like this angle compared to the standard straight-on shot.



A few of the hotels we went into had displays setup for Chinese New Year, which if you can't tell from the display below, is the year of the tiger.



This is my one and only casino shot, as you're always watched when you bring a camera into a casino. I was hoping to get a shot across one of the roulette tables, but the opportunity did not present itself.

Vegas Nights - Part 1

One of the best things about Vegas is the amount of light there is at night. This and Miami Beach, rank as my top two night shot destinations.

I had seen a pic like the one below in a magazine some time ago. So, on this trip I wanted to do my take on it. In this version, I left the shutter open for a longer period to try to capture as much of the blue light beam as possible.

The shot below is from inside the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. 

The famous Caesars fountains that line the entrance way to Caesars Palace. I'm not sure if these are the same ones that Evel Knievel tried to jump before.

Nowadays, whenever anyone thinks of fountains in Vegas, they are thinking of the world famous Bellagio Fountains. I like the composition of the shot below, as it includes Caesars in the background, as well as one of the ways in which the Bellagio fountains "dance."

Vegas Nights - Part 2

The next two pics were taken on my first night in Vegas. Both were shot near the Bellagio Hotel.

The picture below took a little bit more time to compose, as it could not all fit in the frame when standing on the sidewalk. So, I went behind the bushes and shot this from the grass along Las Vegas Blvd.

Vegas Nights - Part 3

The pics below are from my first night in Vegas. For this shoot I stayed mostly around the Bellagio hotel. The fountains were a very popular destination with crowds gathered around the perimeter of the lak, eagar to watch the fountain show.

In the garden area off the main lobby, they had a large display setup for Chinese New Year. The background lighting changed over time. I happened to like the contrast that the deep blue light presented.

The picture below was taken from one of the footbridges that cross Las Vegas Boulevard. I really like how the cars' headlights created the white streaks of light you see in the bottom of the photo.

This shot was taken along the walkway that curves around the lake in front of the Bellagio. I really liked how the lights from the various video screens created colorful reflections off the water.

The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas

The first stop once we arrived in Vegas, was The Venetian Hotel. 

Below is a replica of St. Mark's Square.

The second floor of the hotel has a canal where you can ride on a Gondola. I framed the two gondoliers below, using the fence that rings the canal.

The balloons below were hanging from a three story atrium, which was part of a new section of The Venetian.

It's off to Vegas, Baby!

Well, we're off to our first vacation of the year, which is Vegas! Needless to say being in the new environs means I have plenty of photo ops, so be on the lookout for lots of new pics coming soon.

The first pic below, is from the cabin of the Virgin America flight we took from JFK to Vegas. Walking onto this plane was an awakening compared to any other plane. I really liked the lighting, and before it got too crowded, I managed to shoot off a few frames.

It was cloudy for most of the flight, which I feel is a waste of a window seat. But, over the Rockies, the sky cleared and I took the shot below. Those mountains don't look so big from this height.

The last thing you see before landing in Vegas is usually Lake Mead.