Griffith Observatory Reopening, Los Angeles

Tee Why

This is a very famous landmark from the 30's that reopening this weekend after a 4 year closing for major renovations. I took my sigma 10-20 for a spin to see the Observatory. The light was harsh so lighting wasn't the best, but it was nice.

The classic view of the observatory as you enter.


Monument to the great Astronomers with a sundial in the foreground.


A new tribute to James Dean, as the Rebel Without a Cause, was the first movie to feature the observatory as a main part of the film. Note the Hollywood sign OOF in the right background.


Images from the Promenade Walkway, looking south towards LA.




A new exhibit hall for the "Edge of Space"

whole gallery is here.
http://tomyi.smugmug.com/gallery/2086387/1/108290927
c/c welcome.

Tee Why

Our group maybe going back for a night shoot this weekend, stay tuned for some sunset and night shots.

erich6

Awesome TY. Was it crowded? We've been waiting for this reopening.

Erich

Tee Why

erich6 wrote:

Awesome TY. Was it crowded? We've been waiting for this reopening.

Erich

According to another forum member, it was on Sat, but I went at 9:30AM, which is the first opening, and it wasn't really crowded outside on Sunday. Inside was a bit crowded, but not intolerable.

Awais Yaqub

Grea photos thanks for sharing !

Tee Why

I reprocessed three shots.

Reduced flare






Darker sky

ChrisJ

That first one is definitely a postcard shot. Great clouds for LA! I like the reduction in flare, but I think your cloning needs a little work. But would I notice that if I hadn't seen the original??? 2nd flare retouch looks good.

3rd one, the dark sky treatment I'm ambivalent on... looks okay either way. 4th one I definitely like the original better. Too many shadows created on the face on the redo. Just MHO.

I definitely need to get up there!

NHBubba

Didjah see the planetarium?! Up until a few months ago I worked for a company that made hardware and software for planetariums. Griffith used some of our stuff-well, my previous employer's stuff-for quite some time. We lost the bid for parts of their revamp though. It went to a company called E&S and their laser projection system. I'm very curious to hear what people think about that projection system as many of us considered it 'vapor ware'. E&S took forever to actually deliver or show anything. I get a kick out of the quip "giant step forward from the existing CRT video projectors" as the company I worked w/ was a major force in using CRT projection systems.

But anyway. Nice pix!

Tee Why

ChrisJ wrote:

That first one is definitely a postcard shot. Great clouds for LA! I like the reduction in flare, but I think your cloning needs a little work. But would I notice that if I hadn't seen the original??? 2nd flare retouch looks good.

3rd one, the dark sky treatment I'm ambivalent on... looks okay either way. 4th one I definitely like the original better. Too many shadows created on the face on the redo. Just MHO.

I definitely need to get up there!

Thanks for the feedback Chris,
The color shot looks better with reduced flare. I couldn't/didn't want to spend the time getting rid of all the flare, so it was a quick job. I also agree about the 2nd flare reduction job. The last shot, I'm starting to agree with you.

Thanks for the feedback.