Spokane Night Scenes has been chosen for the image placement on the new Spokane Riverfront Park Map panels.
These maps are to be placed at central access areas in Riverfront Park, so that visitors to the park can see where they are and where the activity areas are throughout the park. These panels are scheduled for fabrication and placement in Riverfront Park by July 2009.
Enjoy the new maps in Riverfront Park.
A link to the new map is located HERE.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/RFPMap.jpg
I resized the original art, and it is presented in a JPEG format.
JDM
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Spokane Night Scenes at the historic Liberty Theater
I had an opportunity recently to display framed poster prints of Spokane Night Scenes images. Unlike my gallery displays in First Friday events in Spokane, this opportunity took me back to Toppenish, the Mural Capital of the State of Washington.
I got to display some selected poster prints at the historic Liberty Theater in Toppenish. The images were selected as a gallery display inside the Liberty Theater. I had some experience with the Liberty Theater in Toppenish, and at one point I developed a website for the Mid Valley Performing Arts in the Yakima Valley.
It was fun displaying the large Spokane Night Scenes poster prints, and I actually got to display my work with drawings completed by Erin (Moore) Gibson CFA. It was fun to do the gallery display with my daughter also displaying her framed art in the historic Liberty Theater building in Toppenish. For a look at Erin’s art, here is a link to her drawing efforts.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/ebg/ebg.htm
If I get a chance to display in the Liberty Theater again, I would not hesitate to take any of my large poster prints of Spokane Night Scenes to that area for gallery display. I let others choose what prints to display, and I might have chosen one or two others in place of what was otherwise selected. The people viewing the work had no complaints though, so maybe letting others pick out what was shown worked very well. For some reason, the image of the Perry Street Cafe seemed to be the most popular down there, and the pro photogs that I spoke with totally enjoyed the grayscale/color layering approach.
Exposing Spokane Night Scenes images to that region of the State was sure a lot of fun over the Memorial week period.
JDM
I got to display some selected poster prints at the historic Liberty Theater in Toppenish. The images were selected as a gallery display inside the Liberty Theater. I had some experience with the Liberty Theater in Toppenish, and at one point I developed a website for the Mid Valley Performing Arts in the Yakima Valley.
It was fun displaying the large Spokane Night Scenes poster prints, and I actually got to display my work with drawings completed by Erin (Moore) Gibson CFA. It was fun to do the gallery display with my daughter also displaying her framed art in the historic Liberty Theater building in Toppenish. For a look at Erin’s art, here is a link to her drawing efforts.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/ebg/ebg.htm
If I get a chance to display in the Liberty Theater again, I would not hesitate to take any of my large poster prints of Spokane Night Scenes to that area for gallery display. I let others choose what prints to display, and I might have chosen one or two others in place of what was otherwise selected. The people viewing the work had no complaints though, so maybe letting others pick out what was shown worked very well. For some reason, the image of the Perry Street Cafe seemed to be the most popular down there, and the pro photogs that I spoke with totally enjoyed the grayscale/color layering approach.
Exposing Spokane Night Scenes images to that region of the State was sure a lot of fun over the Memorial week period.
JDM
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Spokane night photographers
There is one thing easy to notice, if you shoot after dark in Spokane. The first thing you notice is the absence of photographers shooting after dark. Next thing you notice, is that local photog groups tend to focus their efforts on daylight ventures such as photo walks, photo tours, and other daytime adventures. Any training, if offered or experienced may be good or bad, depending on the skill levels of the participants rather than a direct result of the skills of the project leader. As a result, marginal or worse photogs can develop other participants into marginal or worse participants.
My opinion? Certainly. Participating on group activities with photogs running helter skelter for their shots, can be problematic. How many times have I seen several photogs shots with two or three other photogs all lined up in the shot of the one wanting a photograph of something. How many times has one small subgroup of participants distracted other photogs from concentrating on what they intended to do, only to be looking at what this small subgroup is involved in.
Organizing small group activities is a challenge for the leaders, of that there is no doubt. If you are the leader, you need to focus most of you time on the group members, and not on what you think you might get in this photo shoot. Why? Some members of the group are just learning and they have questions. "How do you do this, how did you do that, why did you do that, where do I find that on my camera, how does it work, why should I do it that way?" In fairness to these members, they really need coaching. For a group leader interested in shooting, boy does that make it hard to do. So there is balance and there are sacrifices to be made on behalf of those who are learning. When I do small groups of night shooters, I shoot the scenes they will be taken to, days or even weeks BEFORE the group meets. I can concentrate on what I want, and when I take the group out, I leave my cameras in the office. Displaying some of your earlier results on a laptop or other such small display, can give the group members ideas on what you did, and how you did it. Then you take them out to the locations and walk them through their efforts. Some participants will succeed, some will not.
Many photogs simply enjoy the social aspects of the group shoot, and gaining technical skills is not their highest priority. Nonethleless, each member of the group can learn from each group leader, given the amount of time the leader can spend with each participant.
In my view, I wish there were more night shooters. In some communities there are night shooters, and they are formally organized into 501 C3 type organizations, and in other communities there are less formal structures. These groups shoot at night, although many of them begin their activities at sunset or slightly before. So, are there night shooters in Spokane? I have no clue, since in the past 5 years I have seen but a handful of photogs shooting after dark. It's too bad, since after dark, everything changes. By changes, I mean, REAL changes. Not just technical photography, but issues of safety. As a result, small groups of people together for an evening, is a very good thing...assuming that the leader spends time on what the group is doing, rather than what individual leaders are doing for themselves.
Night shooting is fun. It plainly is fun, and with a small group, it can be loads of fun. Yet, if there are few groups who have a particular night shooting interest, it can be very hard to find a learning experience. As a result, there seems to be an interest in beginning some type of night time shooters group. As done in San Francisco, and elsewhere, there are many groups who cater solely to night shooters. Since there has been some interest in a night shooters group of one kind or another, perhaps it is time for an assessment.
I would invite any photog interested in s night shooters group, to contact me. I can disseminate to interested parties, and perhaps, if the participant level seems adequate, we target a night shoot for the group members.
Keep up the good work everyone, and let me know if there is any interest in a night shooters group.
John
John D. Moore, CPP
spokanenightscenes.com
My opinion? Certainly. Participating on group activities with photogs running helter skelter for their shots, can be problematic. How many times have I seen several photogs shots with two or three other photogs all lined up in the shot of the one wanting a photograph of something. How many times has one small subgroup of participants distracted other photogs from concentrating on what they intended to do, only to be looking at what this small subgroup is involved in.
Organizing small group activities is a challenge for the leaders, of that there is no doubt. If you are the leader, you need to focus most of you time on the group members, and not on what you think you might get in this photo shoot. Why? Some members of the group are just learning and they have questions. "How do you do this, how did you do that, why did you do that, where do I find that on my camera, how does it work, why should I do it that way?" In fairness to these members, they really need coaching. For a group leader interested in shooting, boy does that make it hard to do. So there is balance and there are sacrifices to be made on behalf of those who are learning. When I do small groups of night shooters, I shoot the scenes they will be taken to, days or even weeks BEFORE the group meets. I can concentrate on what I want, and when I take the group out, I leave my cameras in the office. Displaying some of your earlier results on a laptop or other such small display, can give the group members ideas on what you did, and how you did it. Then you take them out to the locations and walk them through their efforts. Some participants will succeed, some will not.
Many photogs simply enjoy the social aspects of the group shoot, and gaining technical skills is not their highest priority. Nonethleless, each member of the group can learn from each group leader, given the amount of time the leader can spend with each participant.
In my view, I wish there were more night shooters. In some communities there are night shooters, and they are formally organized into 501 C3 type organizations, and in other communities there are less formal structures. These groups shoot at night, although many of them begin their activities at sunset or slightly before. So, are there night shooters in Spokane? I have no clue, since in the past 5 years I have seen but a handful of photogs shooting after dark. It's too bad, since after dark, everything changes. By changes, I mean, REAL changes. Not just technical photography, but issues of safety. As a result, small groups of people together for an evening, is a very good thing...assuming that the leader spends time on what the group is doing, rather than what individual leaders are doing for themselves.
Night shooting is fun. It plainly is fun, and with a small group, it can be loads of fun. Yet, if there are few groups who have a particular night shooting interest, it can be very hard to find a learning experience. As a result, there seems to be an interest in beginning some type of night time shooters group. As done in San Francisco, and elsewhere, there are many groups who cater solely to night shooters. Since there has been some interest in a night shooters group of one kind or another, perhaps it is time for an assessment.
I would invite any photog interested in s night shooters group, to contact me. I can disseminate to interested parties, and perhaps, if the participant level seems adequate, we target a night shoot for the group members.
Keep up the good work everyone, and let me know if there is any interest in a night shooters group.
John
John D. Moore, CPP
spokanenightscenes.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Night shoots – A Spokane update.
In one sense of the word “Springtime,” it is a pleasure to see that it has arrived. After all, this winter was a disaster in more ways than one, and once again, it seemed to go on day after day with no end. Since complaints generally go on deaf ears, it is just one more notch in the level of experiences shared by many people, not just me.
Yet, it is the subtle changes in seasons that impact, at least slightly, what I do. Simply put, I shoot at night, exclusively. I can go out there with the masses with digital cameras in the daytime, but unless it is a community service project I am doing for someone, daylight is not a challenge. It just isn’t. Night shoots are ALWAYS a challenge, in many more ways than one. Yet, it is the challenge of darkness that is of interest to me.
In the past few months, I have focused on either downtown Spokane, or the North Side. One very fun project was for the Northeast Youth Center, at their annual Nighttime Easter Egg hunt. When I first got the announcement/release from Spokane Parks, I could imagine lots of colorful light trails running all over the place, perhaps with varied colors, and directions. After it began to get dark at Hays Park, the lighting possibilities were obvious, with hundreds of children and parents/grandparents running all over with glow lights or flashlights. Here are some of the images from the night:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/eggs.htm
Capturing all of the lights as they wandered through the field of view was pure fun and enjoyment. It can be said matter of factly, that the photographers that night (3) had as much fun as the kids did. I would not hesitate to jump out there next year when they do this event again. Now that I know the ropes of the event, capturing the lights will be much easier since I know how the process works for all of the people and kids.
In downtown Spokane, there are some new sites/sights. Maybe just new to me, but they are very colorful additions to different neighborhoods. Beginning with this next link, are a short series of images captured that evening. Just when you think downtown has nothing new; the camera can show that all things change over time.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cops.htm
A little more recent was a return to the Wandermere area (Business Park). There is something about these built up hardscape areas that make for some great intellectual challenges. It no longer is an issue of what the cameras can do, but what can you do to change or modify the appearance of the images at night, including a great deal of water. I shot this area last year, but along with another photographer, we went after the water up there once again. Painting somewhat drab waterfalls with light, can go a long way to modifying the look, without much alterations in RAW post processing. Taking the bracketed shots in various colors and blending them, can take each waterfall into something that could be, rather than what is currently.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/wandermere.htm
On another occasion, I went down to Riverfront Park, as it was supposed to be a very foggy night. I got there ahead of most of the fog, but within a half hour of walking around and shooting a number of locations, on came the dense fog. Here is a short series of images, as the fog finally arrived down there.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/riverpano.htm
JDM
Yet, it is the subtle changes in seasons that impact, at least slightly, what I do. Simply put, I shoot at night, exclusively. I can go out there with the masses with digital cameras in the daytime, but unless it is a community service project I am doing for someone, daylight is not a challenge. It just isn’t. Night shoots are ALWAYS a challenge, in many more ways than one. Yet, it is the challenge of darkness that is of interest to me.
In the past few months, I have focused on either downtown Spokane, or the North Side. One very fun project was for the Northeast Youth Center, at their annual Nighttime Easter Egg hunt. When I first got the announcement/release from Spokane Parks, I could imagine lots of colorful light trails running all over the place, perhaps with varied colors, and directions. After it began to get dark at Hays Park, the lighting possibilities were obvious, with hundreds of children and parents/grandparents running all over with glow lights or flashlights. Here are some of the images from the night:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/eggs.htm
Capturing all of the lights as they wandered through the field of view was pure fun and enjoyment. It can be said matter of factly, that the photographers that night (3) had as much fun as the kids did. I would not hesitate to jump out there next year when they do this event again. Now that I know the ropes of the event, capturing the lights will be much easier since I know how the process works for all of the people and kids.
In downtown Spokane, there are some new sites/sights. Maybe just new to me, but they are very colorful additions to different neighborhoods. Beginning with this next link, are a short series of images captured that evening. Just when you think downtown has nothing new; the camera can show that all things change over time.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cops.htm
A little more recent was a return to the Wandermere area (Business Park). There is something about these built up hardscape areas that make for some great intellectual challenges. It no longer is an issue of what the cameras can do, but what can you do to change or modify the appearance of the images at night, including a great deal of water. I shot this area last year, but along with another photographer, we went after the water up there once again. Painting somewhat drab waterfalls with light, can go a long way to modifying the look, without much alterations in RAW post processing. Taking the bracketed shots in various colors and blending them, can take each waterfall into something that could be, rather than what is currently.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/wandermere.htm
On another occasion, I went down to Riverfront Park, as it was supposed to be a very foggy night. I got there ahead of most of the fog, but within a half hour of walking around and shooting a number of locations, on came the dense fog. Here is a short series of images, as the fog finally arrived down there.
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/riverpano.htm
JDM
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Shooting in Hillyard
This week I visited Hillyard, and it was a tough photo op. Tough for a number of reasons, which included three or four drunks in the street screaming at each other. STA mercifully came by and picked up one of the drunks, and the others wandered off westbound from Market Street.
After getting the cameras and tripod out of the truck, I noticed an absence of color. Other than high pressure sodium street lights, there was not really any illumination to speak of. So, it was going to be a challenge to find some shots. Let’s remember, Hillyard is a historic community…..and I was determined to try and capture some of the buildings, poor lighting or not. Hillyard holds some historic moments for me, too…coming from my days at Spokane PD.
I captured some views of the Alaskan Lounge (Tavern), and then moved south shooting some angles of the street scenes. I found one well placed Mural, and that was about as far south as I made it on this visit.
Editing posed some challenges, since what I had really captured was an absence of color. So I began to layer each series of images, and I converted the top layers into black and white versions. As a result, I could then bring out any objects with color from the background layer. Mostly, it was the interiors of the buildings with large windows that offered some color. A few signs, and voila, some image captures in Spokane’s historic Hillyard.
I’m not done shooting in Hillyard, and perhaps there are a few locations I need to visit the next time out. I think I will try and make some contact with representatives of the Hillyard community and see if they have any ideas. One thing still holds true, as far as night shoots go. Some historic buildings that look great in daylight can look absolutely horrible after dark. Conversely, some things that are as ugly as the day is long (in daylight), can look vastly superior after dark. Only one way to find out which, is to go and take a look when the sun goes down.
So, at this point, I have added 4 images from the nights visit to Hillyard. They are largely grayscale, but as I mentioned previously, they are not totally black and white creations. Image number one is located:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alaskan.htm
JDM
After getting the cameras and tripod out of the truck, I noticed an absence of color. Other than high pressure sodium street lights, there was not really any illumination to speak of. So, it was going to be a challenge to find some shots. Let’s remember, Hillyard is a historic community…..and I was determined to try and capture some of the buildings, poor lighting or not. Hillyard holds some historic moments for me, too…coming from my days at Spokane PD.
I captured some views of the Alaskan Lounge (Tavern), and then moved south shooting some angles of the street scenes. I found one well placed Mural, and that was about as far south as I made it on this visit.
Editing posed some challenges, since what I had really captured was an absence of color. So I began to layer each series of images, and I converted the top layers into black and white versions. As a result, I could then bring out any objects with color from the background layer. Mostly, it was the interiors of the buildings with large windows that offered some color. A few signs, and voila, some image captures in Spokane’s historic Hillyard.
I’m not done shooting in Hillyard, and perhaps there are a few locations I need to visit the next time out. I think I will try and make some contact with representatives of the Hillyard community and see if they have any ideas. One thing still holds true, as far as night shoots go. Some historic buildings that look great in daylight can look absolutely horrible after dark. Conversely, some things that are as ugly as the day is long (in daylight), can look vastly superior after dark. Only one way to find out which, is to go and take a look when the sun goes down.
So, at this point, I have added 4 images from the nights visit to Hillyard. They are largely grayscale, but as I mentioned previously, they are not totally black and white creations. Image number one is located:
http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/alaskan.htm
JDM
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Former scenes of madness and crime, in Spokane
I have three short term goals, and to take advantage of the early darkness, I need to get the goals completed soon. Goal one involves Spokane Night Scenes photography in Hillyard. Next, I want to shoot around the neighborhood in Spokane’s South Perry business district. My third goal was to get out in the fog, which I did a week or two ago in Spokane's Riverfront Park.
Hillyard has a history with me, although I am sure it is not of any official historical value. Each time I drive through Hillyard, I think of two things. First, was the madness of a street fight I responded to one night. I was working graveyard shift in my early police career (Spokane PD), and patrons from a bar emptied into the street at Queen and Market. A fight commenced that required just about every police officer in the city, as well as many Spokane County Deputies. We arrested 16 people, and a couple of our SPD guys had to make stops at Holy Family ER, before heading in to the jail to book in prisoners. That was one of my early police experiences with total and complete madness, and will not be one ever forgotten.
Another Hillyard memory is also police related. It involves the former US Bank location. I did a lot of robbery training for the staff at this former bank branch, with a very good friend and mentor Richard “Dick” Long who was the security director for ONB and later US Bank. Dick was such a good friend, that when he passed away, police department photographs of he and I doing training in Hillyard, became a much better memory than the total madness of the huge street fight at Queen and Market.
Since there is some historical value, generally, I am going to have to visit Hillyard after sunset, and see what things look like. I’ll have to deal with some parked cars, and considerable northbound traffic, but if I don’t like what I capture, it does not have to make it onto the web.
South Perry also has car parking and traffic flow, but there is something about what has transformed that small area into something very attractive, at least in daylight. To be sure, there are some police memories of mine in this area, too. The south Perry district was always good for an armed robbery or two, at the same locations (still is). Over the years, some really strange things happened in this area, but armed robberies seemed to be the bulk of my memories up there.
Today might be the day I can visit the South Perry district. I have a visit to the area on an unrelated issue, so maybe bringing some camera gear might give me the opportunity (if there is one) of capturing the South Perry district after dark.
JDM
Hillyard has a history with me, although I am sure it is not of any official historical value. Each time I drive through Hillyard, I think of two things. First, was the madness of a street fight I responded to one night. I was working graveyard shift in my early police career (Spokane PD), and patrons from a bar emptied into the street at Queen and Market. A fight commenced that required just about every police officer in the city, as well as many Spokane County Deputies. We arrested 16 people, and a couple of our SPD guys had to make stops at Holy Family ER, before heading in to the jail to book in prisoners. That was one of my early police experiences with total and complete madness, and will not be one ever forgotten.
Another Hillyard memory is also police related. It involves the former US Bank location. I did a lot of robbery training for the staff at this former bank branch, with a very good friend and mentor Richard “Dick” Long who was the security director for ONB and later US Bank. Dick was such a good friend, that when he passed away, police department photographs of he and I doing training in Hillyard, became a much better memory than the total madness of the huge street fight at Queen and Market.
Since there is some historical value, generally, I am going to have to visit Hillyard after sunset, and see what things look like. I’ll have to deal with some parked cars, and considerable northbound traffic, but if I don’t like what I capture, it does not have to make it onto the web.
South Perry also has car parking and traffic flow, but there is something about what has transformed that small area into something very attractive, at least in daylight. To be sure, there are some police memories of mine in this area, too. The south Perry district was always good for an armed robbery or two, at the same locations (still is). Over the years, some really strange things happened in this area, but armed robberies seemed to be the bulk of my memories up there.
Today might be the day I can visit the South Perry district. I have a visit to the area on an unrelated issue, so maybe bringing some camera gear might give me the opportunity (if there is one) of capturing the South Perry district after dark.
JDM
How many individual parts equal one camera?
How many individual parts equal one camera?
That is a question being asked by a photographer I ran into last week in Riverfront Park. I was out one evening to get some fog shots, and I was approached by two people sporting a new Canon camera that they had gotten for Christmas. Although I am not exactly sure, it looked like one of the fairly new XSI models. It also looked like it had a 28 X 135 lens on this camera.
The couple initially asked questions about shooting images after dark, and as I conversed with them, I began to get the almost overpowering odor of beer breath. In my old job I used to smell that all the time, and to be sure, I was getting it again. In this process, I changed locations a couple of times, and they followed me around, with the camera carrier staggering from one side to the other on the wide pathway inside the northwest gate to the Park. I actually had tried to recruit this couple to the Spokane Camera Club, so I began to wonder what would happen if they ever showed up.
The two interested photographers stayed with me for a while longer, and were shooting something in the dark, about 50 feet east of where I had my tripod set up. I heard some yelling, and I saw one of them fall on the ice. There were the usual crashing noises, breaking glass, and swearing. Then silence.
The person who had been carrying the camera, got up and wiped all of the snow off, Then it looked like he was searching for something. The search went on for about 5 minutes, and then when I saw them pick up several different things it dawned on me that their new camera was now trashed. I know of three separate parts that were retrieved, and the lens was now a separate piece, and it was rattling when the guy shook it. The camera body (or what was left of it) was also rattling quite a bit.
Is there a moral to the story? Beats me, but maybe a little less liquor before a shoot might be a starter. Also, wearing shoes that can provide traction, and having a flashlight when shooting at night.
So, anyhow, maybe all of the pieces of this camera system will be put back together, although I doubt it can be saved. So, if a couple shows up to a Spokane Camera Club meeting with duct tape all over their camera, they might have an interesting story to tell you.
One other thing. Things have begun to slow down for the Moore family, so our night shooters will be back out shooting once again. I want you guys to shoot some motion shots, and if we have time next trip out we will do some panoramas after dark.
I’ll let you night shooters know the next targets, and locations. Likely in a week or two.
JDM
That is a question being asked by a photographer I ran into last week in Riverfront Park. I was out one evening to get some fog shots, and I was approached by two people sporting a new Canon camera that they had gotten for Christmas. Although I am not exactly sure, it looked like one of the fairly new XSI models. It also looked like it had a 28 X 135 lens on this camera.
The couple initially asked questions about shooting images after dark, and as I conversed with them, I began to get the almost overpowering odor of beer breath. In my old job I used to smell that all the time, and to be sure, I was getting it again. In this process, I changed locations a couple of times, and they followed me around, with the camera carrier staggering from one side to the other on the wide pathway inside the northwest gate to the Park. I actually had tried to recruit this couple to the Spokane Camera Club, so I began to wonder what would happen if they ever showed up.
The two interested photographers stayed with me for a while longer, and were shooting something in the dark, about 50 feet east of where I had my tripod set up. I heard some yelling, and I saw one of them fall on the ice. There were the usual crashing noises, breaking glass, and swearing. Then silence.
The person who had been carrying the camera, got up and wiped all of the snow off, Then it looked like he was searching for something. The search went on for about 5 minutes, and then when I saw them pick up several different things it dawned on me that their new camera was now trashed. I know of three separate parts that were retrieved, and the lens was now a separate piece, and it was rattling when the guy shook it. The camera body (or what was left of it) was also rattling quite a bit.
Is there a moral to the story? Beats me, but maybe a little less liquor before a shoot might be a starter. Also, wearing shoes that can provide traction, and having a flashlight when shooting at night.
So, anyhow, maybe all of the pieces of this camera system will be put back together, although I doubt it can be saved. So, if a couple shows up to a Spokane Camera Club meeting with duct tape all over their camera, they might have an interesting story to tell you.
One other thing. Things have begun to slow down for the Moore family, so our night shooters will be back out shooting once again. I want you guys to shoot some motion shots, and if we have time next trip out we will do some panoramas after dark.
I’ll let you night shooters know the next targets, and locations. Likely in a week or two.
JDM
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Shooting Spokane, “the plain old views.”
So, why go to the same old places to see the same old sights? Photographing night scenes in Spokane is absolutely a different experience every single time I go out. Even the same locations are different, albeit most people would say they all look the same each day. Yet, they look different based on time of day, time of year, and the conditions of the weather at a given moment.
This week, my shoot involved carrying no additional lighting with me, and there were literally no targets identified in advance. The timing of the downtown visit was at sunset, and as the sun went down, ambient lighting changed, the skies changed, and the shadows changed. As it got darker, what were most enjoyable were the seasonal holiday influences, no matter where you looked.
A couple of places had shadows where I hadn’t seen them before so I shot some images of some “regular old places, and yet even they looked different through the lens of the cameras. One of the locations was immediately north of Escent on Spokane Falls Blvd. The shot had been done before in some earlier foggier shoots, but I shot it again as the light and shadows were different. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/escent2.htm)
Then there was the Olive Garden downtown. The angle of the approaching night sky and the angle of an overhead light shining on a sign, made this location a perfect time for some shots. At the corner of the building the Olive Garden sign was featured, along with shadows that I had not seen before. Add the interior lighting and it was a no brainer to just grab this shot. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/olivegarden.htm)
A little later in the evening it was time to capture a little of the downtown seasonal decorations and lighting. Adjacent to the downtown Library and connected to Nordstrom is a skywalk. The holiday decorations along with lighted outdoor trees made this view come alive, although it is just a plain old site that “we see everyday.” The sights after dark, are always different, and in my view……many times are improved over the plain daylight views. A look at this view demonstrates that fact immediately. Here is a site, and also a sight, that now looks remarkable different from the “norm.” Take a look:
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/nordstrom2.htm)
Even the Lincoln building looked different tonight, and comparing it to some shots I did a few years ago was a must do: (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/lb.htm) The traffic was so busy at the Riverside and Lincoln intersection, I reversed the shot location to try and capture the traffic and the structure(s) southwest of the Lincoln building on this evening. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cwest.htm)
Plain old downtown sites? Maybe, but after dark and as the sun disappears, these “plain old locations,” have a completely different look to them.
If you haven’t tried shooting these “plain old sites,” after dark, give it a try. I think your evening photo shoot will be a very pleasant surprise to you.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
This week, my shoot involved carrying no additional lighting with me, and there were literally no targets identified in advance. The timing of the downtown visit was at sunset, and as the sun went down, ambient lighting changed, the skies changed, and the shadows changed. As it got darker, what were most enjoyable were the seasonal holiday influences, no matter where you looked.
A couple of places had shadows where I hadn’t seen them before so I shot some images of some “regular old places, and yet even they looked different through the lens of the cameras. One of the locations was immediately north of Escent on Spokane Falls Blvd. The shot had been done before in some earlier foggier shoots, but I shot it again as the light and shadows were different. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/escent2.htm)
Then there was the Olive Garden downtown. The angle of the approaching night sky and the angle of an overhead light shining on a sign, made this location a perfect time for some shots. At the corner of the building the Olive Garden sign was featured, along with shadows that I had not seen before. Add the interior lighting and it was a no brainer to just grab this shot. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/olivegarden.htm)
A little later in the evening it was time to capture a little of the downtown seasonal decorations and lighting. Adjacent to the downtown Library and connected to Nordstrom is a skywalk. The holiday decorations along with lighted outdoor trees made this view come alive, although it is just a plain old site that “we see everyday.” The sights after dark, are always different, and in my view……many times are improved over the plain daylight views. A look at this view demonstrates that fact immediately. Here is a site, and also a sight, that now looks remarkable different from the “norm.” Take a look:
(http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/nordstrom2.htm)
Even the Lincoln building looked different tonight, and comparing it to some shots I did a few years ago was a must do: (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/lb.htm) The traffic was so busy at the Riverside and Lincoln intersection, I reversed the shot location to try and capture the traffic and the structure(s) southwest of the Lincoln building on this evening. (http://www.spokanenightscenes.com/cwest.htm)
Plain old downtown sites? Maybe, but after dark and as the sun disappears, these “plain old locations,” have a completely different look to them.
If you haven’t tried shooting these “plain old sites,” after dark, give it a try. I think your evening photo shoot will be a very pleasant surprise to you.
John D. Moore, CPP
Spokane Night Scenes
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