Al Fresco On Colorado
Street Life
Nikon D7000 18-135mm @ 32mm ISO 2500 3-bkts f/6.3 Lr3, HEP1; SEP2
This is the scene in front of Bar Celona on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town, Pasadena, California. Just a few doors down the street from the 35er, which is in the background. Old Town is the place with the most concentrated night life activity in Pasadena, what I like about it, is that unlike many contemporary venues (such as Universal City Walk, The Grove, Victoria Gardens, etc.) the charm and ambience are not manufactured or replicated, all of the buildings in the area are original, period structures, rehabilitated and restored for contemporary use, but reminiscent of previous eras.
I tried this image out as full color at first, but I think it has more impact and tells a better story in the black and white and toned version.
Wayne Frost's Photo Blog 
You are definitely fortunate to have Old Town in your backyard! The mid-night blue tone holds the energy of the scene, within the frame. Successful processing choice, Wayne.
May 6, 2011 at 5:36 AM
Thanks, Barbara. For so long in Southern California the old would just get discarded and there was no sense of history in our architecture so it is very refreshing when a locality can revive an area like this.
May 6, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Thanks for the comment yesterday, I really enjoyed those links. This is a great shot, it has a nice old time feel to it, and you nailed the composition. Your street photography is definitely improving, keep it up.
May 6, 2011 at 5:53 AM
Thanks, Ryan. Despite the barriers, we all should just keep capturing new images.
May 6, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Would love to walk down that little street in the evenings. Great processing!
May 6, 2011 at 7:37 AM
Thanks for the comment, Kristi. You can walk down that street, just plan ahead: http://www.sharpseating.com/
May 6, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Wayne, I truly love the colors and the processing you’ve done here. You’ve created a great mood and feel in this photo – well done!
May 6, 2011 at 8:09 AM
yep, well processed Wayne, good choice to go BW! Jim
May 6, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Thanks Ryan and Jim. I wasn’t sure how well this image would be accepted, but I guess I did not have to worry.
May 6, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Oops, make that Jason and Jim.
May 6, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Cool image. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to process it that way, but it really works well, doesn’t it? Very moody. I like it!
May 9, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Thanks for stopping by and the comment, Dave. The color version just did not set the mood this version does. I have to admit, though, I am more often than not pleasantly surprised by the comments I get when I put one of these images “out there”. I think it teaches me the lesson that if I think an image has any bit o potential, then I ought to just put it out there and give folks a chance to tell me what they think.
May 9, 2011 at 5:44 PM