San Diego Blues Photo

Photographer’s Note

San Diego Skyline

Scene
This is the main skyline of the City of San Diego taken from Coronado Island. San Diego was the first port the Spanish founded on the California Coast and it was founded by Juan Cabrillio in 1542. San Diego is the home of the first of the missions in the California chain of Spanish missions. The harbor is a small semi-protected harbor formed by an island and a sand strand connecting the island and the mainland further to the south. San Diego is the home of the Pacific Fleet with North Island Naval Air Station the principal feature in the harbor.

Background
Last fall my wife and I visited San Diego on our move from Colorado to Fresno, California. It was kind of a home coming for me since I was born in San Diego, but grew up in San Francisco. I had not been back to San Diego since 1955 and the place no way resembles what I remember. The big landmarks are still there, but the details have all drastically changed in the past 50 years.

After spending a day with friends and then visiting the Hotel Del Coronado (featured in the film Some Like it Hot) Joanne and I decided we wanted to watch the sunset and catch the city lights coming up during the blue hour. We drove over to the ferry terminal and found a place on the grass and enjoyed the evening watching the boats, the people, and the reflections on the water.

dareco, pablominto, stego, feather, Bruno40, Didi, plimrn, lucasgalodoido has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dareco (17104) 2009-06-23 22:38

I am quite surprised by this picture, I was in San Diego a few years ago but this is not at all how I remember it. I mustn't have gotten to this busy part of the city. It does look lovely though, especially in this lighting and the detail is nice and sharp. TFS

pablominto (40578) 2009-06-24 3:31

Hello John,

It is almost like the skyline grows right out of the Pacific!
The exposure is spot on and I admire the fine details in the high-rise architecture...
A simple composition with no disturbing details leaving the subject to attract all attention, lovely colours too!

Greetings,
Pablo -

stego (22352) 2009-06-24 10:50

Hi John,
Beautiful blue hour, I wonder if the memories of your youth contributed to that by inspiring you. The levels of light are just perfect - almost night, but still plenty of details everywhere except in the darkest areas. I like it very much and I find it technically excellent.
Regards,
José

feather (49858) 2009-06-24 13:34

I love it John. As well as being aesthetically pleasing it is technically excellent. The silky water brought about from the slow shutter is just how I like to see it. You framed it well too, so there is a discernable diagonal from the heights of the buildings. Your note is so eloquent I can almost have been there with you.
Well done
Kath

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-06-27 4:56

Hi John,
A fine blue hour photo, nicely composed showing the skyline of San Diego. Excellent sharpness.
Glad to see you around.
cheers
Jorge

Didi (36074) 2009-07-11 8:22

Hi John
Very good management lights exposure in the blue hour.
Interesting digonal of the buildings top.
Well done.
Best regards

plimrn (19602) 2009-08-09 15:28

Hi John,
Truly a perfect blue hour shot!!
We sailed from SF to SD in 1969, and it sure didn't look like this at that time either, although Mission Bay was quite new at the time.
HLJ, Pat

lucasgalodoido (16601) 2009-10-15 19:54

Hi John,
sensational this view fo San Diego city in the Blue Hour, and the contrast between sky and lightned buildins are impressive. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas