Thursday, December 21, 2006

Christmas at Rockefeller Center

One night every winter in New York City tens of thousands of people pack into Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. This year, on the 74th annual lighting, I decided to put a new perspective on the lighting ceremony. 
 
Knowing most people pack in the plaza to look up at the 88-foot-tall, 45-foot-wide, 9-ton wonder, I decided to find a window on the 25th floor of the AOL offices, which overlook the plaza, and shoot a photograph looking down. Deciding to shoot with a full frame fisheye lens meant capturing the full view of Radio City Music Hall on the right, St. Patrick's Cathedral on the left, and dead-center, the 70- to 80-year-old Norway Spruce in the middle, aligned pretty well with the Empire State Building, lit for the holidays in the top center. 
 
 
For those of you who won't make it to New York City this holiday season, there's even a live webcam for you, I'd suggest taking a peek at dusk for the best views of the tree and ice skaters. Happy Holidays to all, and only luck in 2007.
 
- Sam

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent shot & view of Rockefeller Center.  You capture a beautiful night, wonderful detail & color~  Just perfect!
Thanks for sharing this & the your journal!!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariebm56/PhotographsMemoriesToo

Anonymous said...

Thanks Sam!  I live 45 min. away and haven't gotten there yet this year.  I also know just the person I want to share this webcam with!

Merry Christmakah...

nancy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Thank you.....actually, I'll be there tomorrow! Live from Texas.

Anonymous said...

Dear Sam,

Thank you so much for taking me back to a magical time in NYC.  My husband and I went the week before Christmas 4 years ago and I'm afraid it spoiled me for Christmas any where else.    The city truly captures the spirit of the season.
We live in Sarasota Florida where the weather is a balmy 80 degrees.  Not really complaining, 11 months out of the year it is paradise but I've never experienced anything like NYC during Christmas.

Thank you for taking me back.

Susan Whitehurst
Sarasota, Florida

Anonymous said...

now this is how to put a an ultra wide good use!

Ben Michalski photographer
www.benmichalski.com

Anonymous said...

Sam ,  you are the BEST for taking this  wonderful shot and sharing it with ALL of us!   Doing for others.....hmmmm.....isn't that the true meaning of Christmas?  Thank you.    


                                                   PattyPalm
                                                   Boynton Beach, FL.
                                                   
                                                   

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful photo...I live in the city and have not had a chance to see the tree yet this year. The fisheye lens offers a unique perspective of the tree lighting, all the people, and the surrounding landmarks.  Taking a photo from this vantage point was a risk that paid off! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

thanks for taking the photograph of Rockefellar Center. I've never been to New York and having so much chronic pain and lack of funds, I doubt I'll ever get to experience it "live," so this photo really brighten my holidays. God bless and lets continue to pray for all families who lost family members and friends on sept. 11, 2001.          Mark Savage, Lumberton, NC