Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Eddie Park after dark...

I originally posted about the lovely and magical Eddie Park here. I couldn't resist stopping and grabbing my tripod the other night when I drove past it and saw the old house lit up and glittering. (I know the logical explanation is that it was the setting for a meeting of some sort. But I like to think the ghosts were having a party.)

18 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

Now with this one, I think, LA, this shot would've been better in the colors of B & W.
It's never too late to try it in b/w.

Anonymous said...

George and Marion's party? (Never knew about this place! Must check it out.)

-K- said...

A tripod? Now you're getting serious.

Susan C said...

I love your night shots.

Daughter and I did Parent Ed at Eddie Park when she was a toddler. At that time, it was a small, unrefined and underused park. I happened to drive by the other day and PRESTO CHANGO. The city has done some beautiful landscaping. No more unrefined.

Yakpate said...

Did you ever see the old James Stewart movie, "Harvey?" I expect a giant rabbit to step out from behind that wall any moment! And even without trying, I can hear the sounds of clinking crystal and muffled party laughter emanating from the house.

But, for the second time in a week, the house and lawn appear to be gently tilting to the left... less a political movement than a gesture of empathy for folks trapped in ice storms back east.

Anonymous said...

Whaddya mean there are no ghosts? Just because they don't come out to play when *you* are looking! ;-)

I actually love the hint of color and the soft starbright lights. B&W would not have been bad either, but I'd have to see them side by side to decide...so far, I like this one just fine.

Susan is correct---used to be a shack and teeny little area. My memory is saying something about a fire, but maybe that was a Greene & Greene house nearby...as we age, sometimes things go wonky.

and Yak...I think the pic is leaning left to allow for any runoff from the rain CA has had of late...no need to flood the poor place!

Leslie Saeta said...

I love this photo and love the park! It is within walking distance from my home so I have spent many afternoons at Eddy with my boys. I love the day shot that is linked here. Mind if I use it for a painting this weekend?

San Diego Farmgirl said...

I feel like a Hobbit or something, peaking out into another world. Those tree branches above are fantastic!

Laurie Allee said...

Leslie, paint away! Just make sure to show me the result!

Yak, I didn't get out my protractor, but according to my editing software the house is straight. It's the lawn that slopes.

Cafe, black and white would make this image cold and spooky. These colors convey exactly what I wanted to reveal about this night scene-- magic and warmth.

MOre later, guys. Thanks for all the comments.
Kevin, my tripod is my friend!

Anonymous said...

Great picture. I really enjoy your night photography. Is this just long exposure or is it HDR as well?

Thanks,
Tim
Westside

Cafe Observer said...

LA, U C warm & magic, while I, too, C cold & dark. Hohoho...
Especially lately!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Lovely, golden. I like the magic and warmth, too.

If you enlarge the photo, you can just see a couple of people -er, I mean ghosts- seated inside the front door.

Jane Hards Photography said...

That's no HDR. You do notice how uneven building are when you start photographing. The golden glow is obviously a ghostly remnant. I prefer to believe that anyway. I'm lacking in input and sensible comments due to my Birthday which is commencing celebration cameraless.

Anonymous said...

I checked out your link to Eddie Park. You mean I can actually, like, go there? And I can even see sunsets? And maybe even a few ghosts? I'm ready.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi everyone!

Thank you for commenting.

Tim, no HDR -- just a 2 second exposure on a tripod at f/4.0 and ISO at 200. I used the low ISO to basically read the bright lights and the long shutter and mid range aperture to pick up the details without too much grain. I'm still figuring out digital vs. film and it's fun to play around. I really think the digital sensor is far superior for capturing night scenes than any film camera I ever used before. Thanks so much for the kind words!

Shanna -- you'll have to go with the little one and me. It's one of our usual hangouts. The towering trees don't make for great sunset views but you can't beat the ambiance.

Babooshka -- you share my husband's birthday today! (Also Oprah!) I knew I liked you... Happy birthday!

Until tomorrow folks...

Dixie Jane said...

I love the whole golden glow of this picture, ghosts or no ghosts. And Laurie's familiar lights! Since I am not afraid of ghosts they can party all night and wait for the sunrise to put them to rest.

Anonymous said...

A fantastic photo.

Anonymous said...

Girl Scouts and Camp Fire girls used to meet there sometimes in the good old days of SoPas before it was infiltrated.