Tag Archives: Cityscape

CA Capital at Sunrise

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CA State Capital at sunrise by Chip Bunnell Photography

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To me, there is no better time of day than sunrise. It is the start of the new dreams and all the slates are wiped clean from the previous. Mix in my city-boy roots and you have the love for photographying the streets on a weekend morning. Gone are the crowds of people and virtual parking lots of cars on the main roads. Calm and a brief feeling of openness fills the void. As an unpublished bonus, if you happen to look in just the right direction, at just the right time, you get a truly colorful treat in the urban sunrise sky.

A recent family trip took me to the state capital of California, Sacramento. With nothing more than a goal of seeing a unique bridge over the river and a GPS I headed out into the darkness. I was lucky to find a parking garage right across the street from the bridge with an empty spot right in the front – another bonus to photographing when most are fast asleep. As I stood at the corner waiting to cross, I looked to the right and then to the left (yes kids, look both ways before crossing the street) and saw one of the most amazing skies I have seen in years! From fiery reds to cool blues, it seemed as though a giant paint brush used just about every rich color in the pallet. The State Capital building stood as a brightly lit marker to draw my focus. I quickly positioned my tripod and made several frames from various angles, hoping that even a small piece of what I was witnessing could be captured.

Within a few short minutes the magical explosion of color faded and I moved on to my primary destination. Sometimes you are in just the right spot at the right time. That day I was, and that moment will live on in my archives to remind me of that powerful view.

Photo Stuff:  Single frame on a tripod, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Adjust 5

www.ChipBunnell.com
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LOCATION :: Gateway to Delray

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Gateway to Delray by Chip Bunnell Photography

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The outside temperature read 43 degrees on this crisp January morning. As I pointed the car towards the fast approaching sunrise, I questioned where I would go to capture the first colors of the new day. Admittedly, I had a little bit of a late start, but this actually opened up a new possibility.

The little city of Delray Beach continues to grow. Atlantic, the avenue not the ocean, is brimming with new restaurants and shops, many with a distinctively sheik flare. The old schoolhouse is now a square in the center of the action, hosting festivals and activities year around. Art and culture are a big part of this revitalization project.

So the question is how do you let those exiting off I-95 know what they are about to enter? How about a colorful and unique gateway? The joint team of the landscape architects and engineers from the PBS&J firm coupled with textile artist Michelle Newman designed a manicured green space with 6 creative vertical columns. Various aspects of Delray’s culture are represented in the artistry. Each is lit to allow viewers to enjoy the details not only during the day, but also during night viewings. Ironically, it was only because of my later than planned start that allowed me to see wonderful colors in the background dawn sky and be inspired to make this frame.

Once again, images are everywhere…if you are prepared and take the time to seek them out.

Photo Stuff: Single frame, Processed in LR and Topaz Clarity. I incorporated a slightly lower position to add height and drama to the art as well as push the columns further into the morning sky.

www.ChipBunnell.com

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