Sunday, March 7, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#33)

Tonight I spent an enormous amount of time constructing a new panorama, one of San Francisco Bay at night, but after consideration and close inspection I was dissatisfied: the "post-ready" version lacked critical sharpness which exists in the originals . . . thus I'll revisit my work flow and try again.

Meanwhile, this submission is an image recorded at the end of that (long) San Francisco expedition; indeed it is the next to last photograph taken that evening. Those familiar with the city will immediately recognize it as the landmark Coit Tower.

A rare bit of overt manipulation here on my part: conversion of all but the edifice itself to black-and-white, in order to yield a contraction between the welcoming warmth of the structure and the ominous, swaying wind-whipped tree -- the tower itself seems to be leaning just out the branches' assaults. An apparently threatening sky adds to the drama, and lends an acute sense of safety and yearning offered by the inviting lighted window -- so close, and yet achingly beyond reach.


The Tower, #6582

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 2, 2010; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 30 secs; -1 EV; ISO 200; 21mm.

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1 comment:

  1. Very evocative. Coit tower is one of my favorite places in the City. I grew up just a few blocks away.

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