March 27, 2010

City patterns


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Last Sunday morning it was cold, overcast, and just a little bit nasty, but I did a little early walk-around the Embarcadero Center area.   What I love about doing this sort of thing early on weekends is that everybody else is still in bed and I have the whole place, except for a security guard or two, to myself.

This is the far out fountain on the east side of the Alcoa Building, just north of Embarcadero Center.   I don't know who designed this fountain but it definitely gets my highest award -- ten points and a big gold star.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Each of the four Embarcadero Buildings has a large sculpture in the center courtyard.   And they all have winding staircases featuring that whacky tilework that is so hypnotic.   I think the place is a gas...



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And here is a photo I shot on a little mid-day walk-around I did yesterday in the center of town.   I think that's the side of the PG&E Building at 8th. and Mission.

Here, I was experimenting with a little technique I've recently learned from Brad Evans of City Snaps, where you first find an interesting background and then wait for people to walk into and be a part of that background.   Thanks Brad, nice tip.


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Your comments are invited and welcome.

8 comments:

Brad said...

He Don, I love that last one! Excellent!

Looks like two people facing off to do battle - making you wonder what happens when they meet in the middle! Those horizontal stripes really make it happen. Love the scale of the people to the background, too.

photowannabe said...

Terrific shots Don. I love the whole feel of the last one with the varied stripes adding the foundation for the interesting shot.
I will have to try something like that when I get back to shooting again.

Lew said...

The people do add interest and give scale to the image. An animal, say a cat or dog, would also do the same. I really like your iris shots and fern shots posted earlier. They are great images!

AphotoAday said...

THANKS to ALL,
Best regards, Don and Kitty

Frances said...

I like the last one because of the combination of effects.

The static horizontal stripes of blues and greys with the bottom wider stripes of dark grey and lighter sidewalk shadow grey providing a perfect backdrop for the two vertical human figures dressed in blue and grey conveying movement and life (which we know is also contained inside the static structure.)

The figures themselves are balanced by their differences and similarities: professional and causual dress; female, male; location and direction of movement, uni-color clothing, hats and attitudes (no-nonsense, professional, upright vs causual and relaxed) ! :>)

It has a great feeling.

But then I like all your pictures :>)

AphotoAday said...

HI FRANCES -- That is quite a comment you left. Thank you very much... Gave me a few things to think about...

Tomate Farcie said...

Great series!!!

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