General Memphis Photos, Past and Present

[watnow1425]

How long till we see a post modern version of the sterick?

[DoctorGonzo]

^ They can definitely look cheap if not designed and built to high standards, but if done right they can be nice structures that add alot to the urban character of a city, esp. a city with an older urban character to its downtown like Memphis. IMO at least.

They can certainly help mix things up in a skyline, but all too often they end up looking quite cheap and "plastic-ey" due to the materials used in the exteriors, and they often borrow elements from other contemporary designs wholesale, effectively making them indistinguishable from other buildings being completed elsewhere.

Then you have people like Michael Graves who is hailed as a genius for throwing as many random pieces of architectural flair at anything he designs, leaving a city marred by terrible architecture for years to come.

From there I could rant about "gimmick" architects like Gehry or Libeskind all day, but I'll spare you all the diatribe.

It's hip to rail against Modernism, but there is something to be said about restraint.

[Fellowmann20]

They can certainly help mix things up in a skyline, but all too often they end up looking quite cheap and "plastic-ey" due to the materials used in the exteriors, and they often borrow elements from other contemporary designs wholesale, effectively making them indistinguishable from other buildings being completed elsewhere.

Then you have people like Michael Graves who is hailed as a genius for throwing as many random pieces of architectural flair at anything he designs, leaving a city marred by terrible architecture for years to come.

From there I could rant about "gimmick" architects like Gehry or Libeskind all day, but I'll spare you all the diatribe.

It's hip to rail against Modernism, but there is something to be said about restraint.

Yeah I wouldn't want any of those buildings(if you could call them that) in Memphis.

[Rardy]

Otacon, you should submit your pic of Clark Tower to this website. I love your angle and the color of the sky:

[otacon]

Otacon, you should submit your pic of Clark Tower to this website. I love your angle and the color of the sky:

Thanks Rardy, i uploaded it to that site.

Heres a shot at sunset by the river.

Edited January 13, 2007 by otacon

[Fellowmann20]

Wow! nice shots Otacon! Everyone of the pics you have posted on here are amazing. Are you a professional photographer?

[otacon]

Thanks! Not a pro, a beginner actually for a few months now. I work with Gaushell at Paradigm Productions, so i think being a 3d arch illustrator helps me with my photos.

[otacon]

Some pics i took tonight of FedEx.

[bluff2085]

great pics, otacon!

[crossroad]

otacon, what lens/camera were you using when taking the clark tower picture? Thanks.

[ricky_the_great]

how long is the exposure?? some of the images look like very long exposures. just based on the lights.

[otacon]

Thanks. The camera is a D50 with the kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor. I corrected the verticals in post, also some color adjustments.

I used 15-30sec exposures on these night shots.

Edited January 14, 2007 by otacon

[gaushell]

Thanks. The camera is a D50 with the kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor. I corrected the verticals in post, also some color adjustments.

I used 15-30sec exposures on these night shots.

Jason,

Cool shots. Welcome to UrbanPlanet - didn't know you had joined.

[Plasticman]

Neo took this pic and posted it in the main photos forum. it's really cool cause it captures the abrupt transition from urban to rural:

I find it so interesting that the city does not continue at all on the other side of the river. Most river cities, even those bordering states, have some representation on the opposite bank of the river.

[northernbizzkit1]

I find it so interesting that the city does not continue at all on the other side of the river. Most river cities, even those bordering states, have some representation on the opposite bank of the river.

how old is this pic? the colors make it seem a tad aged, but I think I see the forum, so I'm not really sure...and I agree, but the rice fields make it where development is allowed a tad further inland.

[gaushell]

I find it so interesting that the city does not continue at all on the other side of the river. Most river cities, even those bordering states, have some representation on the opposite bank of the river.

West Memphis if I'm not mistaken is almost 8 miles away. The problem is those fields are flood plains - and they flood frequently. No feasible way to build there. It actually makes for great views from downtown. It is really cool to watch the storms roll across Arkansas into Memphis from there.

[otacon]

A couple more of some east memphis office buildings.

[idlewild]

great pics

[Rardy]

Your skills are excellent! Can't wait to see more!

Have you thought about becoming a photographer for Emporis? They sell pics online, and the photographer gets his share of the $... <<click here>>

[ricky_the_great]

Your skills are excellent! Can't wait to see more!

Have you thought about becoming a photographer for Emporis? They sell pics online, and the photographer gets his share of the $... <<click here>>

two of my photos are on emporis, and ive never seen a dime of it.

[Rardy]

I found this really cool picture on USGS.gov. Looks like it was taken from The Horizon:

[idlewild]

Actually taken from the Rivermark, now RiverTower or something

[Plasticman]

I found this really cool picture on USGS.gov. Looks like it was taken from The Horizon:

From that angle Memphis looks a lot like Little Rock to me (if you take the Pyramid out)

[bluff2085]

Nice pic, similar to this one that I found on one of the old threads.

[Fellowmann20]

I'm not nearly as good as Octacon, but here are 44 pics I have taken over the past 6 months. These are the ones I thought were worthy of posting on here. The pics where taken with a Kodak CX7300 digital camera.

This will take 3 posts since there is a limit of 20 pics per post. This is part 1.

Enjoy!

We'll start at Shelby Farms. Here is a pic some of you have been waiting for.

Next lets head to the fair! These were taken on a pretty cloudy day, and when I started to leave it started raining.

These were taken off the tallest ferris wheel there.

Heres the LB. It has a great design.

Heres the Orange Mound Tower as I like to call it. I'm not sure what it used to be, but it makes a great billboard.

This is the Lipscomb & Pitts Building off Poplar Ave. by the Union and Poplar interchange.

Downtown behind a mountain of trees.

Not sure what this building is called, but I think its a retirement home. Its at the zoo entrance off Poplar.

Heading into downtown.

Theres the church before it burned down.

Heading down Front.