The Arch, a photo from Missouri, Midwest

Photographer's Note

Here is the first shot from my business trip to St. Louis last week. I think when most people think of St. Louis they think of the Arch. This was completed in 1965 to celebrate Lewis and Clark's journey through the Louisiana Purchase. The arch, which is made of stainless steel, is 630 feet (192m) tall and is quite the sight at night all lit up. Because of the trip type I never could get out at night and get a shot. They do have trams up to the top and I did get some shots from up there.

I was hesitant to upload this because the POV isn't that original but I liked the fall colors and the sky and being able to see the Arch in its entirety isn't necessarily a bad thing. What's ironic is that while this is the beginning point of the expedition only two months ago I was at the end of their journey where the Columbia River meets the Pacific. Taken around 2pm.

PJE, weswang, Emile, katya11, aloyho, papagolf21, ChrisJ, feather, capthaddock, nwoehnl, jjbach, Jeppe, AmiBe, dipak, Mishe, Tue, robiuk, polongi, devimeuxbe, quantabeh, Steft, MarekP, ramesh_lalwani, plimrn, anney, yogi32 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

crhieatt (5347) 2005-11-10 20:12

Hi Stephen,
Despite your reservations I like your arch photo! The fall colours do add a certain something - the sky is nice too, and the low perspective (which might have been done a million times before, but I've not seen it) adds to the drama.
Regards
Colin

p.s. Having looked at the "workshop" (which isn't a workshop by the way!) I really think you should have stopped and got a decent angle on that bridge, it looks fantastic, and, if anything, the poor weather is adding to the mood - against which that structure looks pretty fantastic! :O - you might at least straighten it!!

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PJE (20758) 2005-11-10 20:43

Oh Steve really good eyes you have for composition in this scene. Nothing better to see these fall colors than to have this lovcely huge bow drop down on it. And the very narrow strop of green holds this all together. A very good photo Mr Singuanti!

Cormac (26565) 2005-11-10 21:41

Hi Stephen - I don't know why you would hesitate to post this, it's a gorgeous shot! The perfect symmetry of the arch provides a great frame for the sky. The colourful trees on the ground add a lot of interest also. One thing that really stands out in the photo is the different light on the arch, from right to left. Well done!

KellEy (1237) 2005-11-10 21:54

Nice note and fabulous use of colour!

poulinp (4528) 2005-11-10 22:16

Like a rainbow, the arch traverses the photograph of left on the right, of the red to the green. Excel framing. Good composition Stephen.

zeca (19762) 2005-11-10 22:51

Nice picture! Well framed. Beautiful colours! You caught a wonderful perspective in the right season, with the red colours! Light is very neutral.

jramos (507) 2005-11-10 23:13

I've been to the arch and seen countless photos, but the red tree in the left corner, the green grass and the blue sky plus the immense arch make this a standout photo.

Emile (20352) 2005-11-10 23:58

Hola Stephen.
The well known arch, the autumn leaves and this great sky give you a beautiful scene.
I'm glad you posted it because this picture is impressive. Very well composed, good colours and sharpness. Interesting note.
Very well done and TFS.

katya11 (334) 2005-11-11 1:11

Stephen,
Nice shot! I really like the pov. It may be a bit cliche, but you have done it in your own beautiful way. It could be a postcard. Very nice work! The colors are brilliant.
Thanks for sharing,
Katie

huynt (5081) 2005-11-11 1:18

Hi stephen
Wow It is great. Well POV and composition. Thanks

aloyho (6798) 2005-11-11 2:41

Hi Stephen,
Initially I thought that the rainbow must have lost its colours. I love the part where the clouds seem to pass in between the arch on the left. The circular clouds also compliment the arch beautifully and that strong red against the green is just fantastic. Very impressive!! All the best.

tityop (6225) 2005-11-11 3:01

Hi Stephen,
a steel rainbow, I had never yet seen that.
framing is excellent and I adore the color of the trees.
the arch is very impressive.
congratulation.
sincerely thierry

papagolf21 (152605) 2005-11-11 4:11

Bonjour Stephen,
Je ne connaissais pas l'existence de cette arche (j'ai beaucoup а apprendre encore !). Spectacle grandiose que vous nous prйsentez ici ; j'aime votre composition qui mкle cette sculpture gйante parmi les arbres aux feuilles colorйes, le tout sur un fond d'azur oщ les nuages s'amusent а griffonner le ciel.
Trиs intйressante et trиs belle rйalisation.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

PixelTerror (0) 2005-11-11 4:29

Hi Steve,
Is this a McDxxxxx with one missing leg and after desaturation ? Lol ;-)
Quite a minimalist but finally impacting structure, and yes I do like a lot the trees on fire on the left that imo do add a lot to this photo.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

dkeus31 (27739) 2005-11-11 6:28

Hi Stephen,
Very nice sky, and lovely tree colors.
Regards,
Didier

naxius (16685) 2005-11-11 6:29

Hi Stephen,
What a nice rainbow!!
Very good shot..
The red color of the trees on the left part is just splendid..
Great work.
Alex

jhm (211734) 2005-11-11 7:15

Hi Stephen,
The colourful trees on the ground add a lot of interest also. One thing that really stands out in the photo is the different light on the arch, and the very narrow strop of green holds this all together, and absolutely the sky not forget with its lovely clouds.
Have a nice weekend.
John.

CliffW (2381) 2005-11-11 8:05

I saw what lens you were using and knew when I looked the photo info you'd have to be wide open (18mm). It's tough to get the whole thing in! I know, St. Louis is my home city and I've tried many times. This one turned out so much better. The leaves are bright, the sky blue and textured. Makes me wish I was home right now...

weswang (18247) 2005-11-11 10:53

Hi Mr. Steve, This is I am waiting for. An impressive shot of the arch, the symbol of the gate between the East and the West. Beautiful contrast and excellent composition with the decoration of the autumn trees. Well done.

feather (51130) 2005-11-11 10:56

I'm sure I'm not the only person on TE who hasn't seen this arch so thank you for showing a classic shot of it. The red trees and beautiful sky make a wonderful imaGE
Kath

capthaddock (28790) 2005-11-11 12:19

Hi Stephen - I don't understand the hesitation, here you have a great balance of inetersting sky, spectacular autumn colour, and the sleek geometry of the arch and the straight lawn.

dsidwell (9783) 2005-11-11 13:48

A very grand view of this monument, Stephen! I like its centered position. As it towers above the trees, we can guess at its height and massive size. The colors are captured well, and I'm glad you included them!

Leonie (8809) 2005-11-11 14:15

Hi Stephen!
Interesting shot...it's all simple, but pleasant for the eye...nice colours also! Gives a feeling of space! Well done,

Lйonie

nwoehnl (122) 2005-11-11 14:28

Hi Steve. Well I agree that the POV is not original (you said it first ;) but then again this looks like a structure that when you want to fit it into a single frame in its entirety offers limited options for being original. In any case I like how the span of the arch applies a symmetrical structure to the frame, and how you got two luminous elements in opposing corners of the frame - the area near the sun in the upper right corner, and the vivid red foliage at the lower left.

Mafo (1339) 2005-11-11 16:01

It is a nice presentation of monument, and very interesting angle of view, nice contrast with green, red and blue!
Regards

sergecross (3438) 2005-11-11 19:49

Stephen, very nice shot. The filter utility was great and the arquitectural view was extraordinary. Nice saturation and contrast.
Sergio

maphoto (8082) 2005-11-11 22:11

Nice presentation of the popular arch Stephen, where is the bush stadium ?? The perspective is excellent, the low point of view, the gorgeous sky and the colorful trees, well executed, thnaks for sharing.

danyy (0) 2005-11-12 3:32

Bonjour Stephen,
un drфle d'arc en ciel avec peu de couleurs.
Cette arche est bien cйlиbre mais on la voit trop rarement.
La note qui accompagne est instructive.
Excellent cadrage, les jeux de couleurs sont merveilleux.
POV bien choisi.
Regards.
Daniel.

ChrisJ (171252) 2005-11-12 3:49

Hi Stephen

Good catch from your brief business trip to St Louis. The iconic arch is a city landmark. Well done!

alvaraalto (42804) 2005-11-12 9:47

Hi Stephen,
After seeing the thumbnail my first association was a red white and blue flag. This is a super rich picture. So simple and still full of possibilities for a long voyage of discovery for your eyes and imagination.
Groet Rob

john_c (24666) 2005-11-12 12:05

Hi Stephen,
This is a most impressive shot, which caught me by surprise - from the western rain forest to St. Louis....The scene is most pleasing, as you have captured the arch in such a balanced manner - graceful and not crowded in the frame, yet surrounded by such natural beauty. The flaming red trees enhance, as does the slice of richly textured grass in the foreground. And a superb sky. Very fine work, Stephen. This is a keeper.
John

Galmeida (12559) 2005-11-12 16:14

Hi Stephen,
Low short green, great arch and also a great sky. Beautiful enquadrement of this scenery with this wonderful trees in our left side in a autumnal mood and atmosphere. Excelent colors and also a different picture of you. Splendid dimension with nature and a great view, quality picture and composition.

Have a nice weekend and thanks for sharing your nice work.
Fernando

nbournas (3229) 2005-11-12 21:56

I think you did an excellent job with the combosition Stephen, the trees and the grass wisely placed on the far left and bottom. also the different colors create a nice contrast. TFS Nikos

jjbach (9326) 2005-11-13 16:00

Hi Steve,
Very impressive shot with excellent framing and wonderful colour contrast. The point of view you chose is just right, in order to have the green grass, the wonderful sky and the "red" trees. Splendid work!

Regards John

berseph (1758) 2005-11-14 0:02

Hi Stephen. Absolutely beautiful shot of the arch. Such nice contrast in colors with the red in the trees, the green in the lawn, and blue in the sky. I passed through in the winter, and everything was covered in white (I've posted a picture of it recently), so its nice to see the arch in color.
~Amber

Jeppe (18654) 2005-11-14 14:28

Wow - I seen this arc before - but never with a colourmix like this - the red autumn leaves makes the image perfect - thanks for sharing Stephen.

AmiBe (6042) 2005-11-16 2:16

Hi Stephen,
very stange architecture, I never saw something like this.
The colors are very beautiful, especially the trees.
The POV is classic but show us well the arch (and it's not the Eiffel tower, there aren't 10'000 shots like this one one TE).
Well done

dipak (257) 2005-11-16 10:57

Hi Stephen,
Everything came togather here. Fall colour, beautiful clouds in the sky and the arch. An excellent composition.

mumek (20226) 2005-11-16 20:07

Good evening Stephen!
Autumnal colors of the trees, green color of the grass are contrasting very nicely with the blue sky and the arch. The scenery is very well composed.The note as usual very interesting and informative
thanks for posting
best regards
ziggy

Mishe (3533) 2005-11-17 13:12

Hi Steve!
Wow,very beautiful surprise.Great work.
Congrats and thanks,
Mishe.

Tue (91604) 2005-11-27 17:55

Hej Stephen,
I had missed this one. A wonderful shot of the arch, showing its height very well through the good angle. I like the colours of the trees too, well done!
Hilsner,
Lars

robiuk (10807) 2005-11-28 15:05

Hi Stephen,
Lovely compo with bright red in the lower right corner and blue in the upper right!
Well seen,
Robi

RegisMinot (1543) 2005-12-17 0:20

Hi Steve
Thank you for sharing this view of a building which I did not know. Interesting sky behind. Simple but showing well the architectural originality of this monument.

devimeuxbe (58557) 2005-12-17 9:59

Hi Stephen
I also want to give smiley to this beautifull picture. I have never seen this place. That's incredible. Colors ad POV and great.
Well done
Bertrand

coco (30439) 2005-12-18 17:32

Hi Stephen.
Very good composition and also good colours. The POV is the key of the photo.

Thanks for share.

Steft (6109) 2005-12-30 7:31

Hi Stephen!
90 points! But I understand why, it's an awesom and very graphic photo. 192m, that is very big! The fresh colours complete it, I especially like the red tones of the trees of the left.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy 2006!
Stef

rajhema (1873) 2006-01-09 15:43

This is superb. Especially the red colors in the trees.

MarekP (4750) 2006-01-29 3:22

Hi Stephen,
I think that read trees and wonderful sky make this shot quite original, but I'm a bad judge in this case, because I did not know it so far. Thus your compo seems perfect to me.

Thanks,
Marek

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2006-02-06 0:28

Hi Steve
I am impressed by your arch photo.I had not known about arch till I read your as always very informative note.Surely objective of TE is fulfilled byu people like you who put in lot of time and effort in their postings.TFS
Ramesh

ancevski (3358) 2006-02-08 7:21

Stephen,

this is excellent photo, I like the composition and the colors are very nice. I am glad to be the one that will give you 100 points for this photo :)

Dragan

plimrn (21344) 2006-04-25 4:21

Hi Steve,
There's something about the way your captured the arch against the sky that makes it seem insubstantial; almost look like an an optical illusion against the reality of the grass, the clouds and flaming maple tree. In all the photos I've seen of this arch it appears very solid. I don't know how you accomplished it, but I like it.
Regards, Pat

pally3100 (3413) 2007-06-07 7:21

hi Stephen
very good point of view it s a very good presentation of is ark also with the tre trees in the right place i like this picture well see
Congratulations form Belgium Hneri of Liиge -seraing

sarjos (369) 2008-06-17 12:06 [Comment]

Show Comment

francio64 (39888) 2008-11-12 14:08

Ciao Stephen,
bellissimo questo arco dalle enormi dimensioni. (192 mt) Incredibile.
Bello l'effetto grafico che l'arco crea e piacevoli sono i contrasti dati dai vari colori.

Well done!
Francesco