Seattle, Washington by auntietk
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Description
This is a shot of downtown Seattle, as seen from the observation deck of the Space Needle. I'm standing about 600 feet up in the air, behind a plexiglass barrier, looking southeast. (Mount Rainier is in the background, but it wasn't out that day. You'll just have to imagine it.)
Just out of curiosity, since I'm not going to be going back up there any time soon to try this again, does anybody know what causes those weird diagonal lines in the image? I shot this hand-held, zoom, behind the afore-mentioned plexiglass window. (I assure you, those lines aren't there in real life!) :)
The lines seem to be most noticeable on the building that's just to the left of the Westin (the round building to the left of center), and on the Darth Vader building (that's the black one on the right with the 45-degree-angle roof). I can see the lines through the whole image, but they really jump out on those two buildings, if you need a reference point in order to see what I'm talking about.
The building I like best is the Washington Mutual Tower, which is the art deco-style building on the right. Built in 1988, it's 55 stories tall, and one of my favorite people in the whole world works there! (Hi David! *waves*)
The square black building just to the left of the WAMU Tower was built in 1969, just a few years after the Space Needle was completed. We call that building "The Box The Space Needle Came In." It's otherwise known as the Seattle First National Bank Building. I think it's now called the Fourth Avenue Plaza or something. At 50 stories, it was the tallest building in Seattle until 1985.
In 1985, the Columbia Center was built. (It was originally called the Sea-1st Building, then the Bank of America Building ... then something else ... a bit of an identity crisis, I guess.) Anyway, it's 76 stories tall, the tallest in Seattle, and it's the big black one to the right of center. (You can tell which one it is, 'cause it's the tallest!)
When I was a kid, the Smith Tower was the tallest building West of the Mississippi. Now you can barely see it, peeking out to the right of the Washington Mutual Tower. (It has a slanted top, and appears to be a bit more than half the height of the WAMU.) It's 35 stories, and for years and years it flew a giant fish-shaped wind sock from the pole atop the building.
You can see the Monorail tracks ... they're in that green swath at the bottom of the image, left of center. There are two of them because there are two trains. The trains only run on one rail each. MONOrail, you see?
I could go on and on ... I've lived here all my life, and have seen a lot of changes. I hope you've enjoyed this mini-tour of my favorite city!
Comments (38)
Asmoday
Very beautiful sight and capture... I really think that´s not my kind of city, but cool aniway!! Have a nice and creative day!
mbz2662
Love the photo and most of all the narrative you gave.... Adds "realness" :) I bet those lines are something in the glass, a coating? tinting? or just the glass? You don't notice with the naked eye, but the all-knowing lens picks it up. That's my guess.... :)
barbdennist
What a nice picture of Seattle. I've lived in Oregon all my life and Seattle is one of my favorite cities to visit. I never tire of going there.
awjay
great skyline and a beautiful capture
MrsRatbag
Nice work! I don't know anything about any of those buildings, the only one I know is the Space Noodle.... :) But I know the restrooms in the restaurant at the top of that big black one have the most incredible view from the toilet stalls....the glass goes floor to ceiling for your enjoyment while you relieve yourself!
tizjezzme
Sounds like You love your hometown :) EXCELLENT view from up in the Needle; I have never been there before, but have always wanted to visit. The lines? Hmmm, My guess is its something in the glass. You just didn't notice it because of the view being right there ........... can't help but look beyond that glass. But then, what do i know. :P
goodoleboy
That's really nice, Tara, but where is Boeing, my old employer? Fantastic clarity and geometry in this panoramic capture, young lady! As for the diagonal lines, I agree with mbz2662-aka Melinda and tiziezzme-aka Sharilyn. There's something in the glass that causes these aberrations to come up in photo images. It happened to me some decades ago when I shot through big glass panes, no doubt leaving me disappointed at the results. Incidentally, digital cameras also pick up paranormal stuff like ghosts, orbs, etc.
Shiroyama
Home! sniff, i've been away for three years, and boy do i miss it! great shot, who cares about the lines?
cmolsen2002
This is a great image and a great description. A very enjoyable read.........but I think my eyes are failing me, 'cos I had to zoom in to find the diagonal lines that worry you so!
npauling
My word you have a tall city. A lovely clear capture.
timtripp
postcard perfect!
babuci
So neat, they all standing all day and "smile" at a photographers.
MaraP
Excellent POV!!
MrsLubner
This really is fabulous view! Flannelman has mentioned us taking a trip there just for this reason - an incredible view. Looks like we can save some money and just enjoy this awesome capture instead.
beachzz
Nothing like a cityscape to show how beautiful these buildings can be; and from that high, you can just see forever. I loved your city and can't wait to come back!!
flora-crassella
...die Stadtansicht ist mehr als gut gelungen!!!
Meisiekind
Stunning cityscape Tara. Def on my list of places to visit. Might pop in for a cold one!!! :)
lizzibell
beautiful photo of Seattle Washington...
durleybeachbum
Wonderful, Tara! What a view, and what a loving write up you give it. No tmy sort of place, but it's great to have your superb pic and affectionate account!
jeroni
nice mood, great composition
Kelena
wonderful view
JeffG7BRJ
The lines have something to do with the glass Tara, with high rise buildings and the like it has to be a certain type of glass and it is bonded to re-enforce it, much like the steel in re-enforced concrete, and the plexiglass in car windshields. It doesn't detract from the view much though, I am not a City boy and don't much care for skyscrapers, but that is personal view. I prefer the foreground and background as opposed to the middle ground. It is however a great capture of your favourite City Tara. Don't worry about the lines, if you hadn't mentioned them most of us would not have noticed or commented on them. Excellent work. Bravo!!!!!
emmecielle
Beautiful view!!! :)
NekhbetSun
I wouldn't have noticed the lines either if you hadn't said something....but what a view...godz !!!....but you wouldn't catch me up in the Space Needle...noooo way :o)....great great capture !
mtc
This POV is superb!
Cytisus
Superb capture, and no haze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bebert
excellent shot !!
Grizabella
Excellent photo!
helanker
What a marvellous capture this is Tara. SO excellently done indeed. Bravo !
jocko500
you had a polerzion filther on? if so it may be the glass had some polerziong stull in it too so it will show up then . If you put two polerzion sunglasses up to each other you see what i talking about. anyway this is super