Downtown East Side, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

Again, i have to say that i'm photographing this through thick panes of glass, so the sharpness won't be perfect! thanks!

This is a more complete view of the Downtown East Side. Its only half or so, as the East side continues on more to the left - but hey, my lens can only go so far! But it will give you an idea of the architecture and hopefully the mood / atmosphere.

Why do i say that? I usually show you the business districts with the tall highrises and expensive condo's...you're looking at more of the poorer side of the city. I havn't really shown this side of Vancouver to you on TE. This area is the poorest area in ALL of Canada, and even poorer than the poorest large cities in America - its that bad.

Walking around this area can be dangerous, and many tourists dont know that. With the close proximity to the richer sides of Van, its easy to unknowingly find yourself in a sticky situation. It happened to me a few years back as I had my camera kicked out of my hands, threatened, and I was physically chased/followed by a couple of men for several blocks until i outran them. Drugs and prostitution run rampid here, as does crime.

In this photo, the streets to the right side get better and better, safer and safer. The middle street (west hastings), and the street to the left side, and the streets further left, get more and more unsafe.

Some of the architecture is beautiful in an ugly sort of way, and i hope to bring that to you later in better lighting conditions than what you see here.

Have yourself a great weekend!
Thanks for looking.
Craig

Kofman, ikeharel, delpeoples, baddori, plimrn, Budapestman, bukitgolfb301, jjcordier, Hansaphotos, pierrefonds trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

wolf38 (28260) 2011-08-13 0:31

Hi craig. The view from above of the city is very detailed. The combination of old and new houses is very interesting. For a photograph through a glass window the technical quality is top notch. The instructive text pleases me very well. Overall, a great contribution to TE. Rgds wolfgang.

mauro61 (52527) 2011-08-13 1:45

ciao Craig,
bella panoramica dall'alto con tutta la serie di grattacieli e questo misto di architetture.
Mi piace la resa di colori e la profondità.
saluti
maurizio

MJR (3179) 2011-08-13 2:46

Craig

Fascinating !

You would not guess looking at the 'scenery' here that impoverished was the first word that should spring to mind !

Our riots here in the UK cause people to blame hardship and poverty - again, hardly the first thought that springs to mind; Blackberry, trainers, designer jeans, - and that's all before they go out on the rampage.

Still - thanks for sharing more of your fabulous city. It was always somewhere I hoped to see, when I was courting a Torontonian, but that is a long time ago now..

As far as clarity etc, it works just fine, though not your usual absolute perfection... A grey day did not help, I'll wager.

regards

Martin

delpeoples (45022) 2011-08-13 5:23

Hi Craig

So finally we have the Downtown Eastside. Your Note amazes me that this is the poorest part in Northern America. Wow, that's serious stuff. And you know, looks can be so deceiving, cos it looks pretty clean and well-maintained. I like the architecture. The sharpness and depth you obtained through that thick glass is really impressive. Thanks for your NOte and I'm glad you're here in one piece after your horrible experience in this part of town.

Have a great weekend
Lisa

Sergiom (39366) 2011-08-13 6:05

Bonjour Craig

Presque aussi beau que la vue de nuit. Un très beau point de vue et une très belle profondeur . Les détails sont nets.

Bon weekend

Serge

baddori (18988) 2011-08-13 6:15

Crai
Una carrellata di foto urbane che mi carica ..tra poco vado a fotografare.
Una veduta urbana ad arena ....palazzi alti ed un centro ricco di particolari ..eliporto, cars park, darsena ...ecc.
Storia e modernità-
GF

plimrn (21344) 2011-08-13 9:02

Hi Craig,
I love your celebration of light, but with so much commentary, it doesn't need more.

The framing give good documentation of the area.
For a terribly poor district, it doesn't look that poor. I don't see broken-down cars, boarded-up buildings or graffiti while many of the buildings have a pricey view. Still I can remember in 2004 seeking out, 'The Only Seafood Cafe,' somewhere around here and feeling intimidated.
HLJ, Pat

npecanhuk (53923) 2011-08-13 10:25

Hi Craig!
Another not common view of Vancouver... I love seeing that!
Truly interesting and attractive cityscape picture!
Excellent photo quality!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Budapestman (82620) 2011-08-13 13:47

Hi Craig,
a very spectacular view once more, the composition of the photo is superb, I like the diverse architectural details and the effective POV, great impression, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György

bukitgolfb301 (30141) 2011-08-13 14:54

Hi my dear Craig

Enough sharp for me. Very clear and shrpa as usual.
Your great panorama shot and note is quite helpful to understand why Vancouver is choose as the most comfortable city to live all over the world. Thanks for your sharing nice work and have a good weekend!
Best regards,

Takero from heat Tokyo (thses 7 days continue 35℃ or more)

jjcordier (62422) 2011-08-13 22:25

Craig
Une très bonne "vue aérienne" sur ce quartier de Vancouver. La qualité d'image n'a pas trop souffert de la prise de vue à travers la vitre.
Amicalement
JJ

dkmurphys (36859) 2011-08-14 8:39

Hi Craig,
I like your panoramas very much. An advantage of having a lot of high buildings. Good composition, well done.
Have a nice week.

Hansaphotos (5457) 2011-08-15 13:59

Hello Craig

I appreciate you showing us the back of the coin, so to speak, in spite of the demographic facts, it doesn`t look like this. Very informative note. A nice collection of buildings and a nice view from a well chosen viewpoint. Very well done!

Best regards, Erling

pierrefonds (48405) 2011-08-20 5:05

Hi Craig,

The point of view is sending my eyes toward the highrise buildings in the background which is giving depth to the composition. It is also showing the details and colors of the architecture of the highrise buildings. The vening light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre