inspired photography with just enough perspective
There is a building in Vancouver that has a waterfall over a hallway leading from the lobby. On several occasions I’ve tried to capture it but I think the night exposure conveys the feeling of it best. It really does look like something out of this world, or perhaps something you might see at a Disney resort. In any case, I’m sure I’m not the first photographer to be captivated by this, …or the last.
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The is the Burrard Street Bridge which crosses False Creek in Vancouver. On a typical evening its filled with cyclist, joggers and folks enjoying the view. This evening a dozen strangers and I stood on this bridge taking pictures of the sunset across English Bay. Just after nightfall I left the bridge and I looked back to realized I needed to put a few more megapixels in my camera. I love bridges and this one practically begs to be photographed, and of course I am always eager to oblige.
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This is what happens when you focus the lens in the wrong direction. Actually, at the base of this building is a colorful sculpture that I was determined to capture, but instead focused up as I was captivated by this building. (Hey, I’m from a small town.) My mind wanders from time to time, and sometimes I just gotta go with it. You know, that whole right brain, left brain thing…
Architecture in a city can be pretty dynamic. It gets to the point you walk right by something that could be remarkable without really noticing. Such is the case with this building. As I walk by this most days, it appears typical glass and concrete, I couldn’t even recall where it is, nondescript. One night however I walked by and thought, where did this come from? A few blue lights and it’s a different building, who’da thunk? Seems the more I stop to notice, the more I, well…, notice. Funny how that works. Makes for a more interesting day, or night, as the case may be.
In Canada Harry Winston Jerome was named athlete of the century in 1971. In any case, I thought he (or his statue) would look good against the Vancouver skyline. Thus I proceeded to “paint” him with light during a two minute long exposure. Basically the technique calls for shining light on a subject to make it stand out against the night. However my first few attempts were, well…, failures. On my fourth and final attempt I went for broke and started waving my flashlight all over the statue like a madman, determined to make this work. Finally after about two minutes I turned around to close the shutter on my camera when I noticed a small group of people watching my odd antics in the dark. Let’s just say that at that moment I wished I had Harry Winston Jerome’s legs.
I’m amazed at how much is below the surface in some cities. The next time you see a high-rise, keep in mind that a lot of it is underground; not just parking but restaurants, shops and walkways. Walkways that lead to other buildings and other shops and restaurants and other walkways and, well you get the idea. At first I was baffled by these stacks, but after a little consideration realized that these probably lead to who knows what under my feet. Probably someone sipping on a latte at Starbucks wondering what the weather is like outside.
