Posts tagged ‘seattle’

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February 3, 2013

Wake Up, before it is too late …

Last November (2012) got a chance to get up the Space Needle at Seattle. It is one of the best places to get the amazing city view of Seattle. Given the season and altitude, the chillness was quiet expected, but the night being so crisp and clear was a pleasant surprise.

As I was going up, I was cursing myself to have left the tripod at home. Luckily I was at least carrying the gorillapod and it turned out to be a blessing. The odd shape of the fencing at the watching balcony renders the tripod useless, unless you are using a long zoom. The gorillapod just snug to the rails and helped capture the nightscape in all its glory.

I was pretty surprised on how much details my nifty canon 10-22 mm lens was able to capture – if ur keen u can read the apartment names & ‘now leasing’ ads complete with phone numbers :)  The lower Temperature (one of the key setting you can play with when shooting RAW) aided in enhancing the bluish futuristic glow. Though I like the beauty of the night lights, for some reason, this shot reminds me of the aimless pursuits that we manage to partake in our daily lives, systematic yet chaotic, with a goal but not knowing what next, so focused on the destination that we forget all about the journey … Wake Up before it is too late -  oh well may be it is just me !!!

Camera : Canon 7D
Lens : Canon 10-22 mm
Filter : 3 stop ND Filter
ISO 100 : 22 mm : f8 : 15 sec

Buy Print   Living Nightlights, View from Space Needle 
Seattle, Washington, USA
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August 2, 2012

City Of Lights – Seattle

Seattle is a such lively city especially for photographers – located adjacent to water, hills all around, lovely skyline, beautiful S-curves leading to the heart of the downtown area. Love the way how it comes alive at night. Here is one of the scenes for your to enjoy. You can get this view from around Dr Jose P Rizal Bridge. Check here for other shots of Seattle.

Buy Print   Seattle Downtown 
Seattle, Washington, USA

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January 4, 2012

Space Needle Fireworks with Seattle Skyline – 2012

A bit of fireworks, some snow, a trip to the rainforest, throw in some waterfalls on the way and a drive thru amazing 101 pacific coast highway. What a way to start a new year. Not all happened as planned, due to mother nature deciding to join us, in the last minute, in form of lashing rain. Nevertheless it was an awesome trip encircling the Olympic national park, Washington.

This shot is the first one I had taken for this year 2012 & am very pleased with results. It is a high dynamic range shot with multiple exposure to capture the reflections, highlights and fireworks. I really love to watch fireworks up and close at space needle-Seattle, but did not want to be spending 2-3 hours getting out of the downtown traffic once the show was over. Hence after a bit of help from Google Earth, settled for a spot from Hamilton View point park, West Seattle. But as we were driving to the park, the view from harbor avenue was so breath taking, that we decided to settle there for the fireworks show. Arriving at the spot early always has an advantage. As we strolled down the harbor lane, was able to locate a secret sweet spot just behind the parking lot of Salty’s seafood grill. The view was probably better than the deck at Salty’s. Of course we were not served beer ! To make it easier for you, here is the actual spot (47.586095,-122.375566). Just be careful of loose rocks. I had always wanted to shoot the Seattle skyline and this is probably the best view of the Seattle skyline that I had come across. Though an urban setting, it indeed was serene, with the cool breeze, reflections and background effects from sea lions.

If you are still reading … Sorry I had been away for almost a month with unplanned hiatus over here at the blog. I really did not want to start the year’s post with an apology hence pushed this to the later part of the post. It always makes me wonder how something that happens in one part of your life has so much of impacts on your actions, thoughts and eventually how it reflects on almost all other phases. Anyway life just goes on … For the last couple of weeks, I had not been very active here, but had been making changes slowly. You can now see that LikeTheOcean.com points to this very blog and photo.LikeTheOcean.com points to my smugmug portfolio site. Much easier to remember, right :).  Hopefully, the new-non intrusive theme allows, to enjoy the photos directly form the blog. As before am definitely planning to share atleast one amazing travel photo, if not more, every week of 2012 too.

Thanks for sticking around and travelling with me ! Happy New Year to all.

P.S: Definitely best viewed at large. Seattle Skyline is available in Print as such or with customization. This would make a great wall frame as such or with a inspiration quote on the the bottom. Just drop me a note with the request if u want any customization.

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Fireworks @ Space Needle, Seattle Skyline
Seattle, WA, USA

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September 16, 2011

Sleepless in Seattle

If you had been following my blog, I bored you last week with my Seattle trip. Continuing that … … … With Sunday still left, decided to pursue the Seattle skyline shot. Decided that probably staying near downtown would help. Being Saturday evening and given the fact that all the hotels were booked, started looking out for options. That is when I came across Airbnb. Pretty interesting concept, where folks rent out their vacation homes or part of their homes. Stay options, with no frills. Though I was initially skeptical, worked out pretty good. Especially the vacation homes at the prime coastal areas are pretty good deals. May be should give it a try some time. Are you aware of this service ? Have you used the same ? what are your experiences ?

After researching a bit, the only option that seems to work out, with out a car, was Kerry Park, which was just 6-7 blocks away. That sounded pretty good and thought I could even walk down if the I decided to stick around, way past sun set. But, I did not realize there would be so many steps across each block, with such a elevation gain ! Lesson Learnt: When in Seattle, check altitude difference along with distance, if planning to walk :)

The overall walk or rather hike up was fruitful. It was indeed a peaceful stroll once you get to Kerry Park. The views were quiet awesome. As for the shot –  it was 30 second exposure, taken few hours after sunset. This is indeed an HDR, to capture the low light and warmth of the scene.

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Space Needle @ Dusk
Seattle, WA, USA

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September 9, 2011

When things don’t go right

It was one of those trips when nothing seemed to get together. When an official trip to Seattle came up, gladly planned to leave a day or two early with some shooting plans. I was inclined to get the classic Seattle skyline shot. It all started off with the train arriving late at the destination, resulting in missing to get the rental car before they closed :( . Based on the planned car rental, had booked an hotel that was 20+ miles away at Des Moines. Now with out the car, it took 2 hours by public transit :( . By the time I crashed at the hotel, I was in no mood to head back to down town, neither had the time for it. Anyways as I was heading towards the hotel, noticed the huge water body and it turned out to the back waters (not sure what they are called) from the ocean. A 15 min bus drive took me, to the not so very well known, Des Moines marina. I was just in time as the sun was going down the horizon. There were not much clouds, but something with the ocean and the climate crated such hues that made it a memorable evening. The water was pretty clear and so slow moving , creating some nice reflections too !!! Here is this week shot from the walk @ Des Moines Marina for you to enjoy.

So what do you do on those days when things just don’t align for you. Do you really fight against it or just go with the flow. When things don’t go right , do u just go left ;-)

P.S: Did you know Google + is out of beta and open for everyone. Feel free to check it out, its awesome. You can connect with me here.

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Dusk @ Des Moines Marina
Seattle, Washington, USA

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May 5, 2011

Where are the Buffalo – Gone

Toroweep is one of a kind – awe inspiring, rare places, where one can stare into the face of time, still un-touched and un-spoilt. Check this out for the amazing 3000 feet Vertical drop at the view point. Anyways, while visiting this place, we stayed at a small inn, enroute from Kanab to Toroweep. It was a small cozy place, with a typical country side set up. The rooms were based on tribe themes with wooden floors – it went really well with the outside surrounding of red rocks. As soon as we entered the room, the hanging on the wall caught my attention – a framed letter from Seattle Chief to then US President (1855). It was quiet touching and I feel it is even more applicable today and not just for the whites referred here. Present to you the same, below.

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Graze lands Enroute to Toroweap
Kanab, Utah, USA

 

The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land * How can you buy or sell the sky * The warmth of the land * The idea is strange to us * Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water * How can you buy them from us * Every part of this earth is sacred to my people **

We know that the white man does not understand our ways * One portion of the land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs * The earth is not his brother but his enemy and when he has conquered it he moves on * He leaves his fathers’ graves his children’s birthright is forgotten **

The is no quiet place in the white man’s cities * No place to hear the leaves of spring or the rustle of the insect wings * But perhaps because I am savage and do not understand, the clatter only seems to insult the ears * And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the or the arguments of the frog around the pond at the night **

The Whites too shall pass, perhaps sooner than the other tribes * Continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste * When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest, heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of ripe hills blotted by talking wires * Where is the Eagle * Gone * Where is the Buffalo * Gone * And what is to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt, the end of living and the beginning of survival **

 

Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce, 1855

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