Photos De Jour - Grand Rapids and West Michigan Area

[Timize]

I took a picture of the new Cinemark at Woodland today. Not a really great shot, but eh. I have a cheap camera and no tripod.

Anybody have some tips on how to take really good photos?

[Rizzo]

Point, don't face your lightsource, and shoot. Don't worry about centering an object, just get what you need in your sights and press the button. You really can't go wrong. Often times, professionals consider centering a subject, total "newbie." Don't worry, you'll be fine. You could do asearch on "google," though.

That is a cool shot by the way.

[GRDadof3]

That picture's not bad. I agree with Rizzo that the two main issues are lighting and levelling. Make sure the sun is to your back, and pick a vertical line in the building and make sure it goes straight up and down the CENTER of your sight. That way you'll know you're level, even when shooting at an angle (I struggle with this personally all the time.)

[GRDadof3]

Thanks faraway!

Here are some I got today:

I ended up taking a ton more today, but I'll post those this week.

[GRDadof3]

A lot of people downtown yesterday and today (Sunday), considering how cold it was. I think mainly because of the ice-skating and Autorama at Devos Place (and the sun helps ):

The ice rink was PACKED today

[Michi]

Man, that art museum is so slow. It looks the same as when I was in the city over the summer.

[GRDadof3]

[Prankster]

At that angle, I still don't think the Beta building fits in at all. Compared to the quality of what is already down there, it comes across as being very cheap.

[PBJ]

What's up with the Weston? I'd imagine that is some premium real estate with a premium parking lot next to it not making much off of itself? How come somebody hasn't converted that thing into high end living/retail?

[dbrok]

What's up with the Weston? I'd imagine that is some premium real estate with a premium parking lot next to it not making much off of itself? How come somebody hasn't converted that thing into high end living/retail?

I think it probably faces some of the same issues at Morton House on Monroe Center does. It's basically low-income housing and the company that operates it just isn't interested in doing anything else. Coleco's post (#8) in this thread sums it up the best IMO.

Morton House - Monroe Ctr & Ionia

[GRDadof3]

I hear the ceilings in Morton House are lower than 8'??? Anyone confirm?

[GRDadof3]

Since I got so many shots the other day, I'll drop these in every day or so:

golscorer at SSP must have been right in the same area as me:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread...106#post1815106

[GRDadof3]

This was weird. It looked like the crane was coming right over the parking ramp:

[GRDadof3]

Greedo reminded me that there is a Grand Rapids Flickr Group if anyone wants to check out some pretty talented photography of GR I need to contribute some more there, oops.

You may even recognize some of the members.

[fluffy]

Wow, I really love the pics yous guys snap of the city! I need to get a better camera. My disposable (3.2 mp) sony digital just doesn't cut it.

Keep up the good work!

[GRDadof3]

In case the Riverfront property thread gets lost

[GRDadof3]

[andrew.w]

Ahh - So that's where McFadden's is. I've always thought that was a cool building. The last time I saw it in person, other then the short glimpses from the S-curve, it was under renovation and honestly looked like a mess.

[GRDadof3]

[Far Away]

Wow! Absolutely beautiful shots!

[torgo]

Nice pictures jeff! Now its my turn!

[GRDadof3]

Nice Andy! And thanks far_away! It was quite a change from yesterday, since we've only gotten about 2 inches of snow so far this month.

[Rhino6885]

Hello, I'm new to urban planet. I have stumbled upon this forum many times while "googling" things related to Grand Rapids, and have finally decided to contribute.

So, here are three pictures that I took from my balcony. They are all of the same location--Fulton & Prospect--but each is in a different season (the only one I'm missing is spring)

edit: Just click on the insert image icon to have them show up in your post - GRDadof3

[Rizzo]

Nice Rhino! Welcome to Urban Planet... I like the middle photo the best, especially now. Although, its not to bad right now, it could have been worse.

[GRguy]

Great photos everyone. I love days like this. It is so funny Rhino, I have driven past that corner countless times and never remember that tan building. I must always be looking the other way or something. Not that I am saying it is a great piece of architecture or anything, just that I would not have recognized that as GR unless you told me...