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Archive 2006 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Strad

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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

This is a shot taken last night in downtown LA on the grounds of the Department of Water and Power. They spend an enormous amount of energy lighting up their whole enormous building at night as well as running and lighting the fountains in the moat around the building. I was very fortunate to get this shot as I took it from the property of the DWP and I had to grab it on the fly before the security guards got me.

Edited by Strad on Dec 12, 2006 at 12:56 PM GMT (Reason: Took Jane's advice)

Dec 11, 2006 at 07:20 PM

Patricia March 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre....this is a fabulous entry. I really like it. Love the fog and waterfall reflection.
Nice Job!

p.s. I am glad you were able to flee before security got you

Patty

Dec 11, 2006 at 07:31 PM

Tom Basore 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Outstanding shot Endre. I have been near and avoided LA 2 times. Your shots of the city make me think I should come take a look around next time I am in the Valley. BTW I'm a guy who knows a little something about avoiding security guards, you did well.

Dec 11, 2006 at 08:55 PM

cennerfelt 3-time assignment winner

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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Great shot Endre. I like the dynamics. Really good DOF. Is that really fog or really not smog?

As for me, last time I was at the mall shooting I got jumped by a security guard too. She ended up being a little soft though

Christian

Dec 11, 2006 at 09:18 PM

Strad

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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Patricia March wrote:
Endre....this is a fabulous entry. I really like it. Love the fog and waterfall reflection.
Nice Job!

p.s. I am glad you were able to flee before security got you

Patty

Thank you, Patty. I'm so glad you like it. I cranked off two shots - one with the automatic settings in the camera and then the other with a 10 second exposure. This is the first one. Actually, there's a lot more to the security guard story, which I'll relate a little further down.

All best wishes,

Endre

Dec 12, 2006 at 02:07 AM

Strad

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Tom Basore wrote:
Outstanding shot Endre. I have been near and avoided LA 2 times. Your shots of the city make me think I should come take a look around next time I am in the Valley. BTW I'm a guy who knows a little something about avoiding security guards, you did well.

Thank you so much, Tom. Why on earth would you avoid LA? It's the best city in the world as far as i am concerned. Everything is here, including lots of beautiful night city shots. Please let me know when you are going to be out here again and I'll make sure you find some nice things to photograph. As to the security guard - see the story that I will tell in my post to Christian, below.

Fond regards,

Endre

Dec 12, 2006 at 02:10 AM

Strad

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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

cennerfelt wrote:
Great shot Endre. I like the dynamics. Really good DOF. Is that really fog or really not smog?

As for me, last time I was at the mall shooting I got jumped by a security guard too. She ended up being a little soft though

Christian

Thanks, Christian. I'm delighted that you like it. The DOF just came with the auto exposure. Sometimes I'm just lucky. That's really fog (low clouds to be exact) Here's the whole story of the security guard which, when you read it, I didn't really want to tell. But is so interesting that I have to.

This is shot from a flat bridge that crosses the moat around the DWP building. As I was setting up my tripod I noticed that a strobe-like light was flashing on me. I turned around to discover a security guard shining it on me. He told me that I couldn't take any photos from there because it was private DWP property. I was very nice about it and discontinued my preparations. We got to talking abut photography and what a pretty scene it was. As far as he was concerned, I could take all the pictures I wanted but the DWP had cameras all over and were watching us as we spoke so he couldn't allow it. Eventually, he pulled out his cell phone and showed me three little movies he'd taken of the sun setting at Santa Monica Beach. I gave him my card so he could go visit my photo website and also told him all about the weekly assignment here at FM. We talked about some other things and eventually the conversation wound up with me telling him about Antal's loss exactly four weeks ago. At that point, he asked me to give him another of my cards, on which he wrote his e-mail and name. Then he said, "I want to give you and your son a gift. I want you to win the contest so I'm going to walk away and not look and you go ahead and shoot some photos, but don't take long." With that, he wandered off and I took the two shots and then put the camera back in the car. Afterwards, I walked back and we talked about Antal and his kids for another 15 minutes or so. I e-mailed him a jpeg of this photo today but haven't heard back if he got it or not. I certainly don't want to get him into trouble but since the FM WA is only viewed by members I don't think the DWP spies will find out about it. Anyway, it is a wonderful story. It always pays to be cooperative and friendly.

Fond regards,

Endre

Dec 12, 2006 at 03:05 AM

MarcR

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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre,

I like the photo, and the story is even better!

Best,
Marc.

PS: I've come across this page on photographers' rights, which
might be interesting (Unfortunately not so much for me, since it is
about the US): http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Dec 12, 2006 at 08:10 AM

ESC in KC
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre,

You certainly do your city of lights justice every time you go out to shoot, and this is no exception! Another beautiful image and story. I never tire of your LA at night images, so keep 'em coming.

Ed

Dec 12, 2006 at 09:07 AM

relms

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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre,

Jane and I had a similar experience a few months back. The Weekly Assignment was Industrial Landscape, and Jane and I remembered, from one of our fishing trips to West Bay near Panama City, having seen a large crane unloading coal from a barge in a narrow canal that ran from the open bay to the Gulf Power generating plant. We thought, "What better depicts industrial landscape than a coal-burning power plant?"

With camera carefully packed in a waterproof case, Jane and I loaded the boat and "went fishing." We fished our way up the narrow canal, past the coal barges that were staged end-to-end for unloading, and past the signs warning that the barges could move at any time, "Stay Away!" Jane and I got some incredible shots (both made the finals) before we heard a security guard yelling instructions to us using a bullhorn. It was about this time that the end of one of the barges swung around, blocking our exit. WE WERE TRAPPED!

My biggest concern was not so much for our safety as it was for the consequences of our sojourn. I was determined that I was not about to have my camera confiscated, even if I had to leave Jane as a hostage. (Jane, you know that I am kidding.) While the guard was trying to figure out how to get around to the side of the canal where we had beached the boat, the wind caught the barge and swung it back just far enough for us to be able to squeeze by and make our exit, a little shaken, but with our photos and camera gear intact.

What won't we do?

BTW, Endre, I like the photo!

Best regards,
Robert

Dec 12, 2006 at 09:33 AM

James Markus 23-time assignment winner

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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre, I have to laugh about the moat, and security guards....the power company is going to need those defensive measures if rates continue to climb...hehehe. Lovely shot...and really interesting fog....absent in the immediate bubble from which you took it.

Dec 12, 2006 at 11:00 AM

ironabike

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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Making memories--I always say that is really what our lives are about

.

Endre, it is a beautiful shot. The only thing I might have done differently is take two exposures. One with a much faster shutter speed to get the fountain so it wasn't blown out ( I always have to use the bulb mode to get it "right") and then the other one with the exposure you had here and layered the two. I am sure you were just really glad to be able to press the shutter button at all!!!!!

I think I see a finalist once again!!

And don't think for a second that Robert wouldn't have put me up as a hostage--in fact, it took me 2 days to get out of the slammer.

The only consolation is--he really missed me.

Jane

Dec 12, 2006 at 11:41 AM

Strad

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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thank you Marc. Glad you like it! Thanks, too, for the link to the photographer's rights web page. I have never been harassed but I printed our a copy to put into my camera bag just in case it ever happens. Much appreciated!

All the best,

Endre

MarcR wrote:
Endre,

I like the photo, and the story is even better!

Best,
Marc.

PS: I've come across this page on photographers' rights, which
might be interesting (Unfortunately not so much for me, since it is
about the US): http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Dec 12, 2006 at 12:39 PM

Strad

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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thanks, Ed. I'm glad you like my night shots of LA. I ought to get some more and make a gallery show out of them. Of course, most galleries owners seem to think that only photos showing the dark underbelly of life qualify as "Art" - so pretty photos of LA probably won't be what they want.

All best wishes,

Endre

ESC in KC wrote:
Endre,

You certainly do your city of lights justice every time you go out to shoot, and this is no exception! Another beautiful image and story. I never tire of your LA at night images, so keep 'em coming.

Ed

Dec 12, 2006 at 12:43 PM

Strad

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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thank you, Robert. That's a great story. I have no doubt that Jane would have turned you over to ransom her gear should it have come to that. After all, she did boil you in a pot a few weeks back.

So glad you like the shot.

Fond regards,

Endre

relms wrote:
BTW, Endre, I like the photo!

Best regards,
Robert

Dec 12, 2006 at 01:11 PM

Strad

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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thank you, Jim. Believe me, the symbolism of the moat and guards had not escaped me. The DWP building is about 25 stories tall and they burn every light in the building every night, all night. They are always telling everyone else to conserve energy. Hmmm...

Glad you like the photo.

Fond regards,

Endre

1_of_9 wrote:
Endre, I have to laugh about the moat, and security guards....the power company is going to need those defensive measures if rates continue to climb...hehehe. Lovely shot...and really interesting fog....absent in the immediate bubble from which you took it.

Dec 12, 2006 at 01:22 PM

Strad

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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thank you so much, Jane. That's what I planned to do but the time constraint made that kind of pre-planning all moot.

Of course Robert would have put you up for ransom - as you would him. That's what makes for a perfect couple... You love your camera gear and have your priorities straight.

So glad you like the photo.

Fond regards,

Endre

ironabike wrote:
Making memories--I always say that is really what our lives are about

Dec 12, 2006 at 01:26 PM

nlamendo

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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Endre,
Absolutely beautiful !!! This shot could make someone really take a liking to a city the size of LA. Glad to read that it was fog and not smog, I was wondering the same thing. The colors are exciting, and makes the shot come alive.

-Nick

Dec 12, 2006 at 07:32 PM

Strad

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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Thanks so much, Nick. I've always loved LA so maybe it shows in the way I photograph it. I'm glad I'm able to capture some of the magic it holds for me. By the way, if what you saw up there was smog, everyone in LA would be dead. Smog doesn't look like that at all. In fact, if you are standing in the middle of it and looking upward on a hot, sunny day (when it's the worst) you can't see it at all.

All the best,

Endre

nlamendo wrote:
Endre,
Absolutely beautiful !!! This shot could make someone really take a liking to a city the size of LA. Glad to read that it was fog and not smog, I was wondering the same thing. The colors are exciting, and makes the shot come alive.

-Nick

Dec 12, 2006 at 07:41 PM

canandaigua ph 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · # 231 Another Shot Of LA At Night

Great shot Endre...i like the haze on top.....it looks very warm and somehow delicate.

I've been stopped by the police 2 times taking pictures....but when i tell them I've had prints in the paper and show them a business card their whole demeanor changes. I've found that a business card that say 'blackwood photography' on it can open all kinds of doors............
great entry this week, another winning city shot!
regards,
Peter

Dec 12, 2006 at 09:23 PM


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