West Virginia 1, a photo from West Virginia, South

Photographer's Note

Another in my ongoing project to visit and photograph all 50 US state capitol buildings. This series is from Charleston, the capital city of West Virginia.

Charleston, West Virginia is a sleepy little city on the Kanawha River in the Appalachian Mountains. While it is the largest city in the state, it's relatively small at just over 50,000 people. West Virginia itself is a small state - the 13th smallest in the country - with just under 2 million residents.

Charleston has been the capital of the state off and on since West Virginia was carved from the western portion of the state of Virginia in 1863. The current capitol building, pictured here, was designed in an Italian Renaissance style, and was completed in 1932. Its opulent dome stands out brilliantly against the otherwise drab skyline of the city; it is also clearly visible from the other side of the Kanawha River, making it a beautiful nighttime sight.

I had the good fortune to visit the state right after Christmas, and was able to see the understated but quite lovely decorations around the Capitol grounds, including this small tree outside the main entrance, with the dome lit up above.

The small size here doesn't quite do justice to the very impressive dome; the larger version linked to below should give you a better idea.

Larger version on Flickr, here.
West Virginia set on Flickr, here.

snunney, tyro, macjake, Hansaphotos, JFS, Schnappilic, krzychu30, ikeharel, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (67394) 2013-02-13 5:55

Hello Andrew,
The bookmark format suits perfectly, putting the emphasis on the delightful architecture. The prettily decorated Christmas Tree is a bonus. The image is beautifully exposed and has excellent colours and clarity.

macjake (39235) 2013-02-13 6:14

Hi Andrew
haha, i knew this was your photo even before looking at the name.
Reminds me a little bit of the City Hall building in downtown San Fran.
and i will check out the version from Flickr to see more detailing.
interesting how you say the 'drab' skyline of the city, i would love to see the skyline to see what you're talking about :)
a very fine photo taken in the dark black hour, really nice.
cheers
Craig

tyro (13111) 2013-02-13 6:21

Hello Andrew,

Perhaps all we have ever built in Britain are monasteries and cathedrals, but perhaps all that you guys have ever built in North America are Capitol Buildings? I jest, of course!

An interesting note and yet another stunning photograph of a Capitol building, this time at night and with the ornate and beautiful dome finely illuminated. I also like the more subdued light shining through the pillars of the entrance below and with the (as you say, understated) Christmas illuminations before it.

Beautiful light, gorgeous colours, fine symmetrical composition and perfect exposure.

This is encouraging me to try some more night photograph - something I've not done for some time!

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I've just had a look at this picture on "Flickr" and, even at its largest size, it is incredibly detailed and sharp - and looks far, far better than in this down-sized, low resolution version.

Tell me, Andrew, are there any advantages in upgrading to Flickr "pro" and what does it cost?

rogerl (770) 2013-02-13 6:32

This is my favorite from your WV photos. The exposure is great, with a completely black night sky. The Christmas tree in front perfectly echoes the dome, and the symmetric lighting at ground level is a bonus. Nice shot.

Hansaphotos (5435) 2013-02-13 10:38

Hi Andrew

A nice addition to your collection of Capitol Buildings. The bookmark style of format you`ve chosen here, suits the subject very well. As you say, the Christmas decorations was a nice addition to the scene. A fine black hour shot. Great work:) TFS.

Best regards, Erling

JFS (32179) 2013-02-13 10:40

Excellent night shot Andrew! A pleasure for the eyes! The dome is spectacular! I image now must be covered of snow, isn't it?
thanks and have a good day!
Juan

siudzi (23939) 2013-02-13 10:44

Hi Andrew,
Wow! What a beautiful night presentation of this great architecture! Well seen and composed with a perfect symmetry. Great post! Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Gosia

Schnappilic (7929) 2013-02-13 12:11

Hello Andrew,

Good picture with perfect sharpness in low light condition. I like this beautiful architecture beautifully illuminated. Well done!

Best regards,

Ovidiu

Miguel82 (7854) 2013-02-13 12:23

Acl,
Like that monument view by night
Excellent note about Charleston city, instructive elements. A good light management and sharp photo
Best regards

krzychu30 (8897) 2013-02-13 14:33

Hello Andrew,
delightful night composition!The vertical format works really well with this scene.And even if the photo is not to large,it´s still gorgeous and present us the building in best quality and details we can here clearly admire.
Looks like you´re very satisfied with your new lenses.

Kind regards
Krzysztof

jcpix (3325) 2013-02-13 15:45

Hi Andrew,

It looks like Craig (macjake) beat me to it....I knew this was one of yours before I even looked at the name! I love this narrow crop, it really accentuates the shape of the dome within the small width it has to work. The exposure is spot on and shows off the fine detail and lovely night colors and the purple color on the tree is just the right touch. This tight vertical format also makes the columns stand out nicely. Impressive shot.

Cheers,

Jason

dkmurphys (36831) 2013-02-14 4:22

Hi Andrew,
Spectacular vertical capture. I like the light management and the sharpness. Well taken.

Daniel

boa (4313) 2013-02-14 12:12

Hi Andrew,
the decorations here is just enough to not steal attention from this impressive and illuminated Capitol building. I like the tranquil atmosphere, the vertical format and the light, Tfs!
Have a nice evening.
Boa

abmdsudi (26295) 2013-02-14 19:12

Hi Andrew
Attractive and wise slim format get us to fully focus of this grand historic building well lit dsplaying its wonderful character and architectural details. The contrast to night sky is stunning and credit to your skill 4 sec exposure control in wonderful glowing warm colors and the overall effect is very pleasing to the eye indeed. Brilliant capture. Congrats
Kind regards

Noel_Byrne (7426) 2013-02-15 8:23

hi Andrew,
A classic nighht shot. he dome has beautiful Gold detail, and its light and colours are beautiful. I love the blue and gold tones of the dome, and the Christmas tree looks perfect in the centre.
Another beauty for the Capitals collection!
All the best
Noel

ikeharel (37378) 2013-02-15 8:33

Hello Andrew,
Magnificent night shot over the illuminated dome and the Christmas-tree in front.
Vertical crop was a good choise, probably to avoid other not related elements, I assume - but made a concetrated view on the main subject.
Clarity and light managed superbly.
Regards,
Ike

mesutilgim (68014) 2013-02-15 14:11

Hello Andrew,
Nice bookmark from Charleston.
Good TE entry both photographycally and informative perfect.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

delpeoples (45006) 2013-02-15 18:26

HI Andrew

Having just finished admiring Nulent's photo of the domes, it really is a pleasure to view your one aswell. The nightshot is superb, one of your best, with crisp lines, excellent lighting and wonderful detail. I love how the silvery light contrasts against the black sky and also like the bookmark cut which accentuates the length and perspective of the structure. Nice work.

Have a lovely day
Lisa

batalay (32864) 2013-02-17 7:11

Hello Andrew,

This is a well conceived series, and I find especially eye catching this shot accentuating the verticality of the scene. I think it belongs int the group theme, Domes, Spires and Minarets. Feel free to place other images with state capitols in that group.

Warm regards,

Bulent

sevy (13273) 2013-02-19 0:28

Hello,

Interesting shot, with a good crop in bookmark, well adapted to this subject.
The only point which could be improved is the timing for shoting. A bit too late, giving this full dark sky and hence a high contrast. The blue hour time, generally the 30min after sunset are giving more pleasant view and contrast.

Yves.

kiks (11387) 2013-02-22 7:39

Beautuful dome you present us here with that blue en golden contrast. I also like the repetition of shapes with the tree at the fg.
Best regards
KIKs

jmdias (45820) 2013-03-20 2:52

andrew

amazing this nocturn view showing the beautiful shapes of the building and its architecture, the inclusion of the christmas tree is interesting and I liked the precious job with sharpness and light here. TFS.

hugs

jorge

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew Lipsett (ACL1978) (5789)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-12-27
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Nikon D3100, AF-S NIKKOR 35 mm 1:1.8G
Exposure: f/9.0, 4 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): DOMES, SPIRES AND MINARETS, A Shot in the Dark, US State Houses - East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2013-02-13 5:47