Seattle Sunset by abirkill

Seattle Sunset

Here's one from the archives that it's taken me a long time to get around to processing! Seattle, only about two and a half hours drive south from Vancouver (excluding border crossing times), is another incredibly photogenic city.

This shot was taken from Kerry Park, looking south-east towards the Space Needle and downtown Seattle. This is such a popular shot that you need to get there early on a fine day to get the best spot for your tripod, and there were probably at least 8 other photographers there on the night when I shot this.

This is a beautiful view at any time, but occasionally you are lucky enough to be able to see Mount Rainier as well, about 100km away but still very prominent on the skyline. Because of the distance, a clear view of Rainier is relatively uncommon. When I arrived at this location, the mountain was visible, but didn't have the clarity I was hoping for.

As time passed and the sun began to set, it looked like I wouldn't get anything too amazing of the mountain, but I was enjoying shooting the Seattle skyline. Most of the photographers began to pack up, but I waited a little longer just to see. About 15 minutes after the sun had set, a few clouds in the sky to the west began to glow with post-sunset light, and picked out the snow on the side of the mountain in a wonderful pink-orange colour. I snapped as many shots as I could in the five minutes that this lasted!
fab capture
December 15th, 2014  
just gorgeous! Not sure what is more impressive, the skyline or the mountain? Now I put Kerry Park on my list for next time I'm in Seattle.
December 15th, 2014  
Beautiful! Love the mountain included with city shot. Very pretty.
December 15th, 2014  
Amazingly gorgeous. I love that you got a little light on Mt. Ranier, too. I stumbled upon Kerry Park some years ago -- what a view!
December 15th, 2014  
Ow wow Alexis this is beautiful!! Love that you can see the mountain, and so pretty with all the lights of the city! fav!
December 15th, 2014  
Really great cityscape. Over the top with the mountain too. Fav!
December 15th, 2014  
Just curious as to how you decided on settings for this one - particularly the aperture?
December 15th, 2014  
Oh wow! Gorgeous. Love the composition.
December 15th, 2014  
Just amazing. Fav.
December 15th, 2014  
Wow! Outstanding photo! Composition and lighting perfection! Fav!
December 15th, 2014  
Brilliant capture the composition and lighting are masterful. Fav
December 15th, 2014  
so surreal. it looks like the mountain just floated out from behind the buildings. amazingly beautiful photograph. so that is the key, patience, patience and more patience. you always outdo yourself, alexis. great work, like always!
December 15th, 2014  
@kph129 Good question! It was so long ago I don't exactly remember!

I usually start at around f/8 for shots like this and adjust as necessary, based on aesthetics, depth of field requirements, and shutter speed constraints. I think I reduced the aperture a tad from f/8 i nthis shot because I don't much like the 8-pointed sunstars that the 24-105mm produces around bright lights, and by using a wider aperture, these became less pronounced. (You can still see them around the brighter light sources, but they blend in quite nicely)

The 24-105mm is still very respectably sharp at f/5.6, and everything in this photo is at least 1 kilometre away, so there was little need for a wider depth of field.

I sometimes widen the aperture to increase the shutter speed, particularly if it's windy. My tripod was quite precarious here (I was standing on top of the wall at the edge of the park, to get the most unobstructed view), but I don't think it was particularly windy that night, so I doubt on this occasion I chose a wider aperture for that reason.

Sorry I can't quite say for sure, but hopefully that gives an idea as to my general thought process in situations like this!
December 15th, 2014  
Just beautiful! We lived in Seattle for a year...I always loved it when Mt. Rainier was visible in the distance.
December 15th, 2014  
Unbelievably beautiful-fav
December 15th, 2014  
fantastic shot
December 15th, 2014  
Love the city view with the mountain as backdrop. Well processed.
December 15th, 2014  
Stunning image
December 15th, 2014  
This is beautiful! Fav
December 15th, 2014  
Brilliant as always Alexis. And great explanations - as always fav
December 15th, 2014  
Your patience paid off Alexis...this is stunning .....so great to see Seattle & we can see it in all its glory here! As usual you are giving us tips too, thank you. Big fave!
December 15th, 2014  
Beautiful shot. Like this location a lot.
December 16th, 2014  
Thanks! I love to know the reasoning behind masterpieces. I was guessing maybe reducing starbursts played a part.
December 16th, 2014  
Spectacular!
December 16th, 2014  
This is so beautiful. Fav!
December 16th, 2014  
Outstanding!
December 16th, 2014  
Fantastic!
December 16th, 2014  
It's just quintessential, like most every shot. Thank you and Fav
December 16th, 2014  
You never fail to deliver. Absolutely spectacular. Fav :)
December 16th, 2014  
Gorgeous!
December 16th, 2014  
This is so beautiful! I have to take a trip to Washington. I have been to Oregon, I need to go more north. This is a fav!
December 16th, 2014  
stunning - Vancouver and Seattle are two cities I would love to visit
December 17th, 2014  
Love it ...
December 18th, 2014  
Wow! So glad this went to the TT. Stunning composition, Alexis.
December 19th, 2014  
i just saw this on the weekly fav's! incredible contrasts with the mountain backdrop. big fav
December 19th, 2014  
I'd fav this one thousand times if they'd let me. Congrats on TT, incredibly well deserved.
December 19th, 2014  
fabulous photo! fav
December 19th, 2014  
Stunning capture and congratulations on the TT
December 20th, 2014  
Wonderful shot! My neck of the woods. :) Fav and follow!
December 20th, 2014  
Amazing shot
December 21st, 2014  
Fantastic.
December 21st, 2014  
I love this...amazing shot of the city I love so much and proud to call home. Thank you for making me smile tonight :)
December 21st, 2014  
Wow! Instant fav.
December 21st, 2014  
Congratulations Alexis, I am glad to see that another of your works of art made it to the Top Twenty!
December 22nd, 2014  
merry Christmas!
December 25th, 2014  
One of the nicest Seattle shots I have seen - and I live in WA. Stunning.
December 30th, 2014  
Stunning shot ...... Happy New Year to you :)
December 31st, 2014  
Beautiful! FAV
January 1st, 2015  
Beautiful!
January 1st, 2015  
Amy
Happy new year!
January 2nd, 2015  
Fantastic!
January 3rd, 2015  
This is one of the best pictures I've ever seen of Seattle. You got all the elements in there so well.
January 4th, 2015  
@abirkill
Hood afternoon Alexis. On the 11th I had an image on the PP for a while. When I checked using your link, it doesn't show up. Another user had one on the same day {(at)ksyvarth}. I don't see hers there either, Another of my friends had on on PP on 1/ 12, hers does show up using your search tool. Can you help please? Thanks
January 15th, 2015  
Unbelievably beautiful! Fav.
August 18th, 2015  
amazing
February 11th, 2016  
From a Seattle native, this is truly stunning. Fav.
July 25th, 2016  
Just wanted to say hi. Really miss seeing you here. Hope all is well! Daryl
February 8th, 2017  
A stunning night scene , has to be the biggest fav ever!
June 28th, 2017  
Great picture.
October 30th, 2017  
Are you kidding me?! LOVE the composition. Just a superb shot. Wow!
March 28th, 2019  
Fantastic shot. Love the composition. I have never been to Canada, but this picture makes me wish I had.
August 23rd, 2019  
This is spectacular! Just stopped by to say hello and that I miss seeing your photos!
May 11th, 2020  
I miss seeing your photos too :-) come back
June 30th, 2020  
Yes where are you?
July 25th, 2020  
merry Christmas, alexis.
December 25th, 2020  
wow amazing shot
April 14th, 2021  
merry Christmas, alexis.
December 25th, 2022  
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