photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixty Eight: A city portrait -- impressions of New York > Architectural contrasts, New York City, New York, 2009
previous | next
24-MAR-2009

Architectural contrasts, New York City, New York, 2009

As the sun rises, patterns of warm light and stark shadow reveal form and detail that span three centuries of architectural expression. This image was made in the Murray Hill section of the city. The gleaming golden cupola tops the headquarters of The New York Life Insurance Company. A National Historic Landmark, the building was completed in 1928 and was the last significant Cass Gilbert skyscraper in Manhattan. The old church in the foreground, as well as the silhouetted chimneys, dates back to the 19th century.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/1000s f/6.3 at 97.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis07-Apr-2009 19:50
It is good to hear from you again, Suwanee. You are right -- there is a lot going on in this image even though there is no human activity. Yet human values are indeed present -- everything in this picture except for the light itself was man made over the last 150 years, so we are seeing a cross section of human expression here as well.
Guest 07-Apr-2009 16:53
Though there are no human activities, there's just so much going on in this image-lines, light, shadows, colors, patterns, textures, and the leading lines--it was quite overwhelming actually to see all of these things in just one single image. Brilliant Phil!
Phil Douglis01-Apr-2009 04:53
I am always looking for diagonals and silhouettes and layers when I shoot, Cyndy, but this time I was fortunate to be able to find them together and in remarkably lovely light. Such are the rewards for getting up very early and hitting the streets as the sun is first grazing the tops of Manhattan's buildings. The New York Life Insurance Building is one of the Madison Square area's great landmarks, and I made it a point to walk towards it. So a lot of this image is made out of good fortune, and some of it is made out of work and thought and previsualization.
Guest 01-Apr-2009 03:14
The lines, shapes, and lighting in this are exquisite. What a moment!
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment