Main Street of Ojai Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is the main street of a small town Ojai (read as Oh-hai). The City of Ojai is the smallest and slowest growing City in Ventura County. Ventura County is at north western of Los Angeles County. The Chumash Indians lived in Ojai prior to the arrival of the Spanish missionaries. The name "Ojai" is taken from a Chumash word with its meaning "moon."

The city is trying to protecting and preserving Ojai's small town character and village atmosphere. Ojai is known for its active artists community, environmental concerns, community activism, and its serene woodland setting. The current year round resident population in Ojai is about 7800.

Many people come to Ojai for relaxation and vacation. My day-trip to Ojai today was the first time I visited Ojai. When I was trying to take a picture with an angle I like. I touched the bumper of an old car (at least 10 years old, but not antique or collectable). A lady shouted to me to warm me that I touched her car. So, my impression is that this is not a friendly town. Spending money here is okay because I had lunch there and the waitress was fairly friendly :D

The style of the architecture is know as “Spanish style” which is very popular in Southern California.

bantonbuju, aloyho, PixelTerror, Fixfocus, ChrisJ, jrj, papagolf21, nwoehnl, AmiBe, Galmeida, Tue, singuanti, supereira, Didi, Emile, caspita, carper, jbweasle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snuggleaphagus (4138) 2005-06-20 2:02

I really like the tunnel view into the the distance, under the arcades. The sky gives the photo that total sunny california feeling. The red car passing by gives a certain pizzaz to the photo.
A wonderful compsotion and the framing is good too.

bantonbuju (48524) 2005-06-20 2:55

hi wes, a very nice composition and good informative both the picture and the note; that ojai place seems to be a nice place to live in;
have a nice week, jerzy

aloyho (6109) 2005-06-20 3:21

Hi Wes,
You certainly have seen this place well, with all the arches in all possible arrangements. I just love it. Brilliant arrangement. I particularly find that part with the light towards the end of the tunnel fantastic. It created that well deserved contrast and suspense. Excellent shot!!! All the best.

jinju (14265) 2005-06-20 3:30

The tunnel and the repeating arches are interesting architecturally. What striks me is the awesom deep blue sky. Fantastic against the white buildings.

PixelTerror (86038) 2005-06-20 3:41

Hi Wes,
Nice placement and PoV here to shoot this view full of perspective, I like the framing of the right one using the arch, the predominent white color makes us guess the place gets hot ! Well composed !
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Fixfocus (9377) 2005-06-20 5:37

Hi Wes,
Nice lines and curves from the spanish style architecture in your compo.The piece of the red car adds some extra color to the image.
I like the deep view through the arches.
regards,
hermann

Gregtom (7119) 2005-06-20 9:31

Hello, Wes! Very nice composition, good perspective. I can almost feel sunny atmosphere of this place...
regards,
Greg

apache (1426) 2005-06-20 10:06

Hi Wes,
I like the strong lines and curves in this picture with a beautiful blue sky. Though i feel that the picture is a bit soft and grainy, i like your POV very much
Nice going
Ranjith

jrj (34779) 2005-06-20 10:26

Interesting detail wes of this town in a way very spanish in the architechture presented here. Interesting notes of this small village.

papagolf21 (56217) 2005-06-20 14:34

Bonsoir Wes,
Très belle prise de vue de cette galerie qui conjugue avec bonheur lumières et ombres. J'aime beaucoup l'effet rendu de cette arche et de la galerie.
Très bonne composition Wes.
Amitiés.
Philippe

nwoehnl (118) 2005-06-20 15:03

Hi Wes. Very nice how you embedded the characteristic architectural features in your composition. I like how in a single frame you accomplished the deep perspective effect with the "tunnel" at the left, and the view through the big foreground arch out on the street and the repetitive pattern of even more arches on the opposite side. It is very nice and likeable as it is - two things that could make it perfect would be to have the lamp in the upper right in its entirety, and the passing red car fully visible. Very nice work.

AmiBe (6042) 2005-06-20 15:34

Hi Wes,
nice POV, good perspective.
The shade is welcome under the arches.... It's a hot sunny day !
It was good to shot 0,5 sec before, to have the nice red car entirely on the right.

Galmeida (12559) 2005-06-20 16:59

Hi WES,
I like very much this angle of view and the fantastic enquadrement of elements you did. It's a must and is really very good. One view direct and the right view is dimensional. Great sky, good colors and also a nice blur at the left what make a difference but also a great picture.

Very good work!
Fernando

PJE (19401) 2005-06-20 17:17

You keep finding interesting shapes in your photos. This shot is a nice combo ot two archways that fill the frame nicely. Its amazing how many buildings have the Spanish touch to them there. Nice work Wes.

Tue (25608) 2005-06-20 19:17

Hi Wes,
Very nice picture of this little town! I like the view of all those arches. The light and the composition are very good, well done! :-D
Groetjes,
Lars

Steft (5962) 2005-06-20 20:41

Nice note. I like to read about the way you travel and take photos.

Intresting to know that this is know as Spanish style. It looks indeed a bit mediterranean. The lines are very strong, the colours very deep (but not overexposed, which I often have when I shoot whit walls in sunshine), but photo could maybe a little bit sharper. Apart from that: thanks for sharing.

singuanti (15240) 2005-06-20 21:42

Hi Wes. You show a great eye in seeing this composition. But I love the depth we have here in front of us. The arch really lets us know where we are in the country. The moving car is a great add. You were blessed with some outstanding light as well. Another good one Wes!

Mafo (1339) 2005-06-21 2:28

Nice photo Wes!
Beautiful composition with clear sky and white arcades,
Regards

ChrisJ (70065) 2005-06-21 3:51

Hi Wes

Excellent pov, with superb sharpness & good lighting & color. I like the perspective created by the covered walkway. Good work!

supereira (9576) 2005-06-21 5:32

I like the3 composition and DOF.Very good colors,light,textures and sharpness.I like the contrast between the sky and the tree.The tunnel and the repeating arches are interesting architecturally.Good job!

Didi (36020) 2005-06-21 9:20

Bonjour Wes
Une composition intéressante qui met bien en évidence cette architecture espagnole; cependant j'aurais reculé un peu pour pouvoir inclure entièrement le lampadaire.
Voir WS.

Hello Wes
An interesting composition which highlights this Spanish architecture well; however I would have moved back a little to be able to entirely include the standard lamp.
See WS.

[workshop] [compare]

Jeppe (18623) 2005-06-21 17:37

A fine and special view of architecture - I like the soft colours - specially the blue sky - and yes I reconize the spanish style. Thanks Wes for the info and sight

Emile (19887) 2005-06-22 12:03

Very well captured,taken from an excellent angle with good colors and sharpness.
The archs give the spaniard touch.
I'm a very friendly guy but if you hit my car I'll get mad, so for that reason you can't say that this isn't a friendly town.
It looks a very quiet and peaceful place.
Well done Wes.

Stepan (27175) 2005-06-22 17:34

An great depth and perspective. Even if I regret the cars, it's an interesting compo.
Stéphane

john_c (24635) 2005-06-22 22:35

A geometric fantasy world, Mr. Wes. A stunningly successful POV here. The classy red sportscar adds as well a perfect dash of colour and I am glad you did not capture it intact because it would have detracted from the arches across the street. All in all, a very successful and well planned shot. Well seen and captured. (And I like the large format...)

carper (64580) 2005-06-26 4:48

very nice one Wes,
The point of view is very nice with the double depth in the composition, very good details in the shot, very good job,
gr. Jaap

jbweasle (9294) 2005-10-31 14:33

Wes, this shot caught my eye for its composition. I really like the way the arch flies into the picture from the right taking the viewers eye with it. We're then forced into looking down the tunnel at the centre of the frame. Pull away from that and there are other details to see - the colourful car and the lamp in the top right corner. Another good aspect to the composition is the tree, which conveniently covers the plain blue sky.

vleeglane (0) 2009-03-22 13:05 [Comment]