Guangzhou Opera House
Something I walk by every day, that always inspires me to take more photos. Lucky to live around such interesting architecture. ...
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Something I walk by every day, that always inspires me to take more photos. Lucky to live around such interesting architecture.
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Jul, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is a photo of the Guangzhou Opera House, in Guangzhou, China. It's a building I walk by every day and am always drawn to its unique architecture. Designed by Zaha Hadid.Time
I took this picture at about 10:45pm, as I was walking home from a friend's house. It was during a Chinese holiday, so there were so many people walking around in this area that is filled with interesting architecture and bright lights. All the lights go off at 11pm. As I pushed through the masses of people, I turned a corner and walked down a side path I'd never taken before and ended up right in front of the Opera House. I'd never seen it from that angle before, and was immediately taken by the reflection of the windows in the fountain in front of the building. I knew I had to photograph it.Lighting
Got this shot just before the inside lights were turned off in the Opera House, which really helped bring out the structure of the building at night when it is usually harder to see. I think it was the first time I'd ever seen it lit like this from the outside, because I usually walk by it in the day time or later at night when all the lights in the area are off.Equipment
I shot this picture with my Samsung Galaxy Camera, no flash, and no other equipment.Inspiration
Since I was a kid, I've enjoyed photography, though it proved to be an expensive hobby and not something I was able to persue at the time. Now, I've been traveling Southeast Asia for the past 5 years, and one of my favorite things to do is take photos that could potentially inspire someone else to travel. I took this photo just as I was beginning to see just how much I enjoy photography. That's when I started carrying my camera with me everywhere, so that I am able to get a photo when inspiration strikes, which was the case with this picture. I just saw all the windows glowing and the incredible reflection in the water, and I had to snap it.Editing
I'm still quite an amateur at this, but I did do some post process. Mostly decreased saturation to bring out the darkness of the night more and the contrast of the light. I felt a black and white photo would really show off the elegance of the structure.In my camera bag
I'm an amateur, who is trying to develop her skill and eye and become a better photographer. As of right now, I just my Samsung Galaxy Camera and a tripod, but I'm really looking forward to upgrading to a better camera and lenses shortly.Feedback
Don't overlook the reflection. Sometimes we just see the subject of the photo and not the surroundings. The first picture I took I wasn't paying attention so much to the reflection because I was marveling at the beauty of the building in the night. But after reviewing, I saw how perfectly the reflection aligned in the picture and was able to create one of my favorite shots I've taken.
