Park Closed

Park Closed
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

This, along with all of my Boardwalk shots from this day, were supposed to be night shots. The photos I did get, like this one, were meant only for composition practice. The thing is, the Boardwalk closed at 8 p.m. (it usually closes at 11 in the summer), so I was not able to get the shots I wanted.

This shot of the Giant Dipper roller coaster was taken as I was being hearded out of the park. If the park didn't close down at 8, I never would have seen this shot. I'mm surprised it is as sharp as it is since I was walking and shooting at the same time.

Three Corners

Three Corners
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

This is the corner of Water Street, Front Street and Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. I was taking shots of Holy Cross church and wandered over to the mission to see if I could get a shot there. Instead, I found a field that overlooked downtown with one small problem ... there was a chain-linked fence that blocked the best angles. This shot was achieved by putting my tripod on a tree stump and shooting over the fence and around a tree.

Clock Tower

Clock Tower
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

My intent was to get a picture of the clock tower in Santa Cruz, but the trees were blocking it from the only angle I could get it. Still, I'm pretty happy with this as I think the trees add something, though I'm not sure what.

Holy Hues

Holy Hues
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

I was on the hunt for some sodium vapor lights and their green hue, but those are few and far between in Santa Cruz. This is Holy Cross church and it is not lit by sodium vapors either -- the true light here is nearly measured for daylight. But I still wanted that sodium vapor glow, so I faked it.

I did a poor-boy's HDR by using a layer blending mode, then tweeked the curves and "ta-da," instant sodium vapor lights.

Wailin Banjo

IMG_0128
Originally uploaded by Anthony L. Solis.

Part of what I love about Santa Cruz is the fact on any given day, you can find a whole crew of characters playing music downtown. These guys where really good and the banjo player had the best expressions on his face.