Short Break



Short Break, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

Just a short break from the urban jungles and busy life. It was a journey through snow capped mountains, endless farms fields and unpaved roads to an isolated place called Palouse Falls. One of the best state parks in Washington with limited facilities and unlimited photo opportunities. The place was just like how i visualized after looking at few flickr photos.

Located approximately 250 miles east of Seattle, Palouse falls is not only home to the rattle snakes but home to couple of wonderful waterfalls. By the time we reached there it was almost 5 PM and had limited time to run around capturing various things. The sunset was awesome but i couldn’t take off my eyes(camera) off the falls. So missed few colors.

Coming up next – Lower Palouse Falls

The City Too Far



The City Too Far, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

Photographed is the Seattle Skyline as seen from Alki Beach. Alki is the original settlement which eventually became Seattle. It is definitely a nice place to take a walk or bike or relax otherwise photograph, the opportunities are endless. As i mentioned earlier, Seattle is one of the best places i have ever visited. Definitely worth another trip even if it is too far.

Experience Music Project



Experience Music Project, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

What is the building that is really amazing in Seattle ? That is Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. The colorful sheet metal work on the building’s exterior offers numerous photo opportunities at any place surrounding the building. You will really appreciate it once you experience it. It was closed by the time i reached there, so no photographs from inside :-( Well, there is always a next time.

Space Needle



Space Needle, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

For sure, Seattle is incomplete without Space Needle. I saw so many photographs of space needle on flickr but the real challenge was to photograph it differently. Here is one through a sculpture outside the Music Project. Sorry, it was completely dark and i didn’t really notice the name of sculpture.

Had to change hue of the sky a bit as it was completely cloudy and there was not enough contrast between the sculpture and the space needle. I saw so many color combinations with the hue change and finally settled with blue. I think monochrome too will look good on this.

Welcome to the Emerald City



Welcome to the Emerald City, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

That is the official nick name for Seattle. I have visited Seattle couple of times in the past but never got a chance a experience the city. But this time i have showed lot of interest in photographing this beautiful city. Seattle definitely looks like an emerald surrounded by beautiful green mountains and numerous waterbodies. Apart from being naturally beautiful and clean, the city got one of the best transportation systems in United States. At least it is one of the cleanest cities i have ever visited.

This is a single exposure shot of the Seattle Downtown as seen from 12th Ave Bridge. Exactly at this interchange the I-90 terminates after intersecting with I-5. I wish there be a day i can drive the whole stretch of I-90 from Boston to Seattle.

Finally, the credit for this photograph should go to my friends who were patient enough to take me around and to the flickr friends who spotted this location.

Just Altitude, No Attitude



Just Altitude, No Attitude, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

The title perfectly suits for the Skywalk at Prudential Tower. Wonderful views, few people around, perfect for any weather condition and nobody will be watching you constantly. The best part is we can use tripod. Obviously i am comparing my experience at Rockefeller center in NYC.

Photographed is the 111, Huntington Avenue and the Brownstones as seen from the Skywalk. My previous photograph of the same building here.

During my last visit to Rockefeller center, a security guard was constantly watching and warning me because i was using a tripod. Even though the tripod usage on the retaining wall is permitted, he was constantly behind me saying that the camera and tripod may fall off and people on the floor below were worried. Safety is definitely important and he could have told me just once instead of bugging me. Anyway, i don’t want to lose my camera to hurt somebody :-)

Boston Skywalk



Boston Skywalk, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

If you ask me how much time it requires to visit all the important spots in Boston, my answer will be 5 minutes.

Photographed is the Downtown Boston as seen from Prudential Skywalk. Without a question, Skywalk is best spot to see pretty much all the important places in Boston area. Unlike NYC skyline, Boston skyline is thin and that really helps in seeing all the spots like Boston Common, MIT, Harvard, Beacon Hill, Fenway park to name a few.

I have been to Skywalk almost 8 months ago and took few photographs during the night. This time i wanted to try some sunset photo shoot inspired by my recent Manhattan photographs. Inspired by my own photographs. I know, that’s funny :-)

More information about the Skywalk Observatory here.

Attention



Attention, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

Selective desaturation is one of the things i want to experiment occasionally. I think selective desaturation helps in emphasizing what you want to convey and to avoid distraction caused by a busy photograph. In fact the sky was awesome in this photograph, but still it is very easy divert attention by using selective desaturation.

Last Sunday i went on a short (long) walk along the Charles river to photograph the fall colors. But witnessed much more colorful yachts during a competition at MIT. Out of all those yachts i liked this lonely yacht. Now it got all the attention it deserved.

Fall From Heights



Fall From Heights, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

That’s the best title i could give to this photograph. After walking for almost 4 miles and climbing 50 floors (of course an elevator ride) i have reached this wonderful spot.

Photographed is the Fall (Autumn) colors of the Back Bay as seen from the Prudential Tower Skywalk.

As it was almost getting dark, i had to try few different photographs using different lens. I was constantly searching for something to photograph from there. Personally i like brownstones as much as i like fall. A deadly combo :)

Longfellow Bridge



Longfellow Bridge, originally uploaded by Amar Raavi.

I don’t think i have to explain anything about this bridge. Even i got bored of photographing this bridge. Of course, there is an exception to this shot. It is shot using the ND1000X filter (ND 3.0). I have used this filter during my previous trip to NH, but not to this extent. Tried multiple shots using this filter today and results are pretty good if not up to my expectation. I may not need this filter anymore because the temperatures are dipping rapidly and at this rate the river will freeze in another month or so :)

Photographed is the Longfellow Bridge and Financial District as seen from Memorial Drive. Quick tech info – 30 Sec Exposure at f/16, ISO 100.