Tag: reflections

Bright reflections on waterfront buildings!

Having an amateur photoblog is loads of fun. My eyes are constantly moving about, searching for and anticipating interesting images.

Cool San Diego Sights helps me to perceive what I otherwise might not. Unusual reflections, shadows, hues, angles, spatial relations, minute details: an object’s complex, often momentary essence.

Before sunset today I walked along the Embarcadero, just north of the Broadway Pier. Glass buildings along the waterfront were shining. A jumble of bright reflections produced all sorts of fascinating contrasts.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool optical public art on Broadway Pier!

Cool new optical public art in San Diego. The outdoor installation can be found on Broadway Pier through next weekend.
Cool new optical public art in San Diego. The temporary outdoor installation can be found on Broadway Pier through next weekend.

You’ve got another week to head down to the Broadway Pier to experience some very cool public art!

Sojourner, created by San Diego artist Adam Belt, seems to bend reality as you walk around it and step inside. Mirrors cause the viewer see our city’s beautiful blue bay in a whole new way!

Sojourner was commissioned by the Port of San Diego as part of their Port Spaces public art initiative. The installation will be removed after April 29, 2018.

Sojourner is temporary public artwork near the end of San Diego's Broadway Pier, by local artist Adam Belt.
Sojourner is temporary public artwork near the end of San Diego’s Broadway Pier, by local artist Adam Belt.
Sojourner invites people on the pier to enter its dreamlike mirror interior. Once inside, the mind and spirit are stimulated by optical effects.
Sojourner invites people on the pier to walk up a ramp and enter its mirror interior. Once inside, the mind and spirit are stimulated by optical effects.
San Diego artist Adam Belt created the structure. The viewer seems surrounded by a universe of blue water. Odd reflections are produced by infinity mirrors inside.
San Diego artist Adam Belt created the structure. Once inside, the viewer seems surrounded by a universe of blue water. Odd reflections are produced by infinity mirrors.
A mirror in the world, and a world in the mirror.
A mirror in the world, and a world in the mirror.
On this Sunday afternoon two visiting cruise ships were docked near the Broadway Pier.
On this Sunday afternoon two visiting cruise ships were docked near the Broadway Pier.
A harbor tour boat heading out onto the bay is transformed into strange fragments.
A harbor tour boat heading out onto the bay is transformed into strange, dreamlike fragments.
A bicyclist journeys through some cool public art in San Diego!
A bicyclist journeys through some magical public art in San Diego!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A positive mural, reflections and an eyeball.

A clean, beautiful city on the water, painted on the side of a building in Little Italy.
A clean, beautiful city by San Diego Bay, painted on the side of a building in Little Italy.

Yesterday morning, as I walked through Little Italy to photograph that cool Mona Lisa freeway on-ramp mural (my previous blog post), I discovered some additional artwork in the vicinity of State Street and Fir Street.

The large mural on the side of a residential building is clearly seen by motorists heading down Interstate 5. It contains a positive message. Colorful scenes encourage people to get out of their cars and jump on a bicycle or public transit.

A large mural on a building that can be seen from nearby Interstate 5. Colorful images seem to convey an environmental message, encouraging bike riding and public transit.
A large, dynamic mural on a building that can be seen from nearby Interstate 5. Images convey an environmental message, encouraging bike riding and public transit.
Mural on side of Porto Vista Hotel shows reflections of sailboat masts in blue water.
Mural on side of Porto Vista Hotel shows reflections of sailboat masts in blue water.
A big eyeball near the entrance of the Landscape Architecture business Environs.
A big eyeball near the entrance of the Landscape Architecture business Environs.
Riding a bicycle with a dog in the active city.
Riding a bicycle with a dog in the active city.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool sights on a walk to catch the trolley.

As I headed off to work early this morning, I felt compelled to walk down Seventh Avenue past the El Cortez.
As I headed off to work early this morning, I felt compelled to walk down Seventh Avenue past the El Cortez.

This morning I walked down from Cortez Hill to catch a trolley for work. I had no set plan. I had ample time. Any downtown trolley station would be just fine.

My feet followed my wandering eyes.

The San Diego Symphony has a brand new banner on the west side of Symphony Towers. Find Your Music.
The San Diego Symphony has a brand new banner on the west side of Symphony Towers. Find Your Music.
Almost to B Street. Some cool reflections produced by the early sunlight.
Almost to B Street. Some cool reflections produced by the early sunlight.
This reflection of a tree on glass windows seems unreal.
This reflection of a tree on windows seems dreamlike, unreal.
The old Centre City Building might have peeling paint, but it still rises handsomely into the San Diego sky. One edge is touched by the morning sun.
The old Centre City Building might have peeling paint, but it still rises handsomely into the San Diego sky. One edge is touched by the morning sun.
The Caliente ad remains on the rear of the abandoned California Theatre building. I don't know if it will be preserved when the historic building makes way for a new 40-story The Overture high-rise.
The cool old Caliente ad remains on the rear of the abandoned California Theatre building. I don’t know if it will be preserved when the historic building makes way for a new 40-story The Overture high-rise.
Shall I catch a trolley at the Civic Center station? Nah. I still have plenty of time.
Shall I catch a trolley at the Civic Center station? Nah. I still have plenty of time.
Workers were cleaning awnings over the ground floor windows of the U.S. Grant Hotel.
Workers were cleaning awnings over the ground floor windows of the U.S. Grant Hotel.
As I walked along Broadway through some construction, it looks like I frightened a couple of people!
As I walked along Broadway past some construction, it looks like I frightened a couple of people!
The brand new San Diego Central Courthouse always provides interesting photographic opportunities.
The brand new San Diego Central Courthouse behind the Hall of Justice provides an interesting photographic opportunity.
Almost to Santa Fe Depot. Just missed a trolley. I'll wait for the next one.
Almost to Santa Fe Depot. Just missed a Green Line trolley. I’ll wait for the next one.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Star of India’s magical holiday lights at night.

Star of India is lit brightly at night for the holidays in San Diego.
Star of India is lit brightly at night for the holiday season.

San Diego’s beautiful, historic tall ship Star of India is decorated for the holidays with hundreds of magical lights. They were strung along masts, yards and rigging a couple weekends ago.

Tonight I visited the Maritime Museum of San Diego and walked around their many amazing ships after nightfall. As I stood atop the museum’s Soviet B-39 submarine, I photographed Star of India’s holiday lights reflecting on the bay.

Photo of Maritime Museum of San Diego's famous Star of India, with magical holiday lights strung along masts, yards and rigging.
Photo of Maritime Museum of San Diego’s famous Star of India, with magical holiday lights strung along masts, yards and rigging.
The reflection of downtown windows and Star of India's holiday lights creates a fantastic sight after nightfall on San Diego Bay.
The reflection of downtown windows and Star of India’s holiday lights creates a fantastic sight after nightfall on San Diego Bay.

Here are some more photos taken on a later night…

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Strange story read on the roof of the library.

This afternoon I read a strange story. Pages turned as I stood on the rooftop of the downtown library.

It was a story with no words.

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To read a few unusual stories I’ve written–stories containing words–click Short Stories by Richard.

Strange fragments of morning light downtown.

Early this morning I walked through downtown.

As I descended Cortez Hill, the sun ascended. Color flared from the eastern horizon.

I walked west down B Street for several blocks, then zigged over to Broadway, then zagged back to C Street. My destination was the Santa Fe Depot.

Slanting light ricocheted off windows, around shadows, and through a maze of towering buildings. Fragments of light appeared mysteriously everywhere.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Visually interesting photos of downtown buildings.

I have a tendency to take photos of everything and anything while I’m walking. Sometimes I’m surprised at the results!

Here are some visually interesting photos of buildings in downtown San Diego. You’ll find reflections in windows, strange shadows, and splashes of light. There are unusual shapes, surprising contrasts, and a few delightful discoveries.

Every walk through downtown is an optical adventure!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Photos outside beautiful new downtown courthouse.

Gazing up from Union Street at the unique new Superior Court building in downtown San Diego.
Gazing up from Union Street at the unique new Superior Court building in downtown San Diego.

Yesterday I walked past our beautiful new downtown courthouse. The opening of the high tech half billion dollar San Diego Central Courthouse has faced several delays, but the very unique exterior has already added more character to San Diego’s gleaming skyline.

Here are some photos. The rooftop canopy is rather unusual, as you can see. The crystal-like lattice of geometric reflections and shadows that it produces delights the eye.

The new San Diego Central Courthouse is nearly completed. It stands north across the C Street trolley tracks from the Hall of Justice.
The new San Diego Central Courthouse is nearly completed. It stands north across the C Street trolley tracks from the Hall of Justice. A pedestrian bridge connects both buildings.
Flags in a pleasant breeze. The new courthouse, most expensive in California, has faced various construction delays.
Flags in a pleasant breeze. The new courthouse, most expensive in California, has faced various construction delays.
This Superior Courthouse of California is across Union Street from the old courthouse, which will be torn down.
This new Superior Court of California building is across Union Street from the old, less-functional courthouse, which will be torn down.
Fascinating reflections and shadows on glass windows beneath a projecting rooftop canopy.
Fascinating reflections and shadows on glass windows beneath a projecting rooftop canopy.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Optical magic at the Marriott Marquis.

A bicyclist passes reflections on the glassy two-level ballroom of the Marriott Marquis.
A bicyclist passes reflections on the glassy two-level ballroom of the Marriott Marquis.

Here are two magical photos. Bright reflections of nearby high-rises were captured by my camera as I walked past the new ballroom expansion of the Marriott Marquis. I love San Diego’s beautiful waterfront.

Optical magic on glass windows.
Optical magic on glass windows.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!