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This panorama is my answer to Kilgore's GigaPan, The View From Above, http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=7536. It is not as *grand* as his, but then Houston, Texas is not Bath, England.
Hand-held panorama of the Houston skyline comprised of 44 photos taken in a brisk wind, using a P&S camera, the SX110. Note: at the altitude of a six-story parking garage, the wind velocity was enough that this panorama could not have been accomplished had I not used image stablization since the camera was at maximum optical zoom. I went job-searching today and was told that for the for job I was seeking, I might as well go to the Moon! So, I went to the top floor of the parking garage and looked for the Moon, but all I found was this incredible sweeping panorama of downtown Houston all the way to Reliant Park and the Astrodome, and we also see the Texas Medical Center and Rice University:) As time goes by, there may be a *large* number of snapshots discovered in this hand-held panorama, stitched using the GigaPan Stitcher. |
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Note: an earlier GigaPan, http://www.gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=30905 , did not include the panoramic view of Pasadena and the Houston Ship Channelarea as does this panorama.
Taken from the 24th floor of Hilton Americas Hotel: http://tinyurl.com/2og9ru An stunning view of Houston from Galena Park and the Houston Ship Channel area westward to the heart of the downtown area, especially so since there are two pillars not shown in this panorama, but yet the view can almost be considered seamless except that the railing shows where there should be a pillar(s). The GigaPan Stitcher comes though with flying colors on this one. The view, taken from the 24th floor and was breathtaking as I took it using my trusty Nikon D70 (soon to be retired) and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. There is no Photoshop on this panorama, only the GigaPan Stitcher, and the collection of photos were taken hand-held. |
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This from Dave McGary's website, http://www.davemcgary.com/biography-of-dave-mcgary.htm
On February 22, 1998, Dave installed a 30-foot tall, 15-foot wide monument weighing over ten tons at the Houston Astrodome. The sculpture, “Touch the Clouds”, depicts a nineteenth century Miniconjou Chief who fought alongside Crazy Horse at the Battle of Little Big Horn. The project was announced at a ceremony and national media press conference in February of 1996, where Dave unveiled a 43 inch bronze Masterwork of the monument. Although the fine art collection owned by The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is extensive, Touch the Clouds is the first Native American depicted and the largest bronze figure of the sculpture collection. As I began to take this panorama, a MetroRail Train zoomed by heading south, and one can readily see the *zoom* movement. Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. Note: Reliant Park is home of the Offshore Technology Conference. |
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Taken from the 24th floor of Hilton Americas Hotel: http://tinyurl.com/2og9ru
An incredible view of Houston from University of Houston westward to the heart of the downtown area, especially incredible since there are two pillars not shown in this panorama, but yet the view can almost be considered seamless except that the railing shows where there should be a pillar(s). The GigaPan Stitcher comes though with flying colors on this one. The view, taken from the 24th floor and was breathtaking as I took it using my trusty Nikon D70 (soon to be retired) and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. There is no Photoshop on this panorama, only the GigaPan Stitcher. |
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My goal for Monday, June 29th, was to spend the entire morning and most of the afternoon taking hand-held GigaPans of the entire collection of the fifteen current MetroRail Stations along the Redline corridor from downtown at the furthest north station located at University of Houston extending south to the maintenance area station located past the South Loop. The hand-held option was due to the extreme temperature that Houston has been suffering through for a number of weeks and yesterday was so hot that it seemed like Houston was in the hottest days of August, but here it is only late June. I have just celebrated my first anniversary on gigapan.org and I really want to use the robot, but because of the oppressive heat and the un-cooperative clouds (too many and too much at times and at other times, patchwork clouds that don't allow for constant exposure), I will have to wait a few more weeks until we see robot weather. Yesterdayt my plans were is to collect all the MetroRail GigaPans and U/L them all at one time in a series, but a few of them are *very* nice, and instead of U/L all at one time in sequential order, I will U/L a few at a time beginning with this 360-degree panorama of a very special place to me - the Houston Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant_Astrodome. On a personal note, the reason that the Astrodome is so special to me is because of the good times that came our way because of the oil-field industry and the participation often in the Offshore Technology Conference held here in Reliant Park on an annual basis. When the Astrodome was the centerpiece of OTC, rigs surrounded it and each year during this time, it was a time of festivity. Now, OTC is very technical and more people attend than ever before, but sadly, the Astrodome no longer plays the part it once majestically did. The METRO Rail Redline Stations are identified in the following list: 1.) UH-Downtown 2.) Preston 3.) Main Street Square 4.) Bell 5.) Downtown Transit Center 6.) McGowan 7.) Ensemble/HCC 8.) Wheeler 9.) Museum District 10.) Hermann Park/Rice U 11.) Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo 12.) Dryden/TMC 13.) TMC Transit Center 14.) Smith Lands 15.) Reliant Park 16.) Fannin South Ref: http://www.ridemetro.org/schedulesmaps/railsched.aspx |
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This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Wild and Free: Created in celebration of the Show’s 60th anniversary in 1992, Ed Hayes’ “Wild and Free” portrays the spirit of freedom through three mares, two colts and a stallion. There are eight statues in the Carruth Plaza and all of them are unique and extraordinary. This, adapted from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Carruth Plaza: Amid native Texas landscaping and decomposed granite pathways, a collection of large-scale bronzes from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ call Carruth Plaza at Reliant Park home. Located in a prime location between Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium, just south of Reliant Center, the Plaza was made possible due to a grant from The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Named after Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, who served as president of both The Wortham Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Carruth Plaza serves as a tribute to the renowned Houston philanthropist who dedicated many hours to serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the people of Harris County. In addition to naming the Plaza in his honor, a special Carruth Circle features an obelisk topped by a Smithsonian Armillary Sphere. In their space, the sculptures are surrounded by a tranquil setting that includes a flowing stream and “Texas heritage-style” landscaping, with such native Texas plants as cactus, yuccas and live oak trees. With trees and curved limestone walls behind most of the Western art sculptures, areas of seating are placed in close proximity to each work of art for maximum enjoyment. Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. Note: Reliant Park is home of the Offshore Technology Conference. |
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This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding The Cookie: Summoning weary cowboys to the chuck wagon, “The Cookie” stands ready to ring the dinner bell and, with hand to mouth, to call in the cowboys. Created by Eric Kaposta, the bronze was unveiled in 1997. There are eight statues in the Carruth Plaza and all of them are unique and extraordinary. This, adapted from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Carruth Plaza: Amid native Texas landscaping and decomposed granite pathways, a collection of large-scale bronzes from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ call Carruth Plaza at Reliant Park home. Located in a prime location between Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium, just south of Reliant Center, the Plaza was made possible due to a grant from The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Named after Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, who served as president of both The Wortham Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Carruth Plaza serves as a tribute to the renowned Houston philanthropist who dedicated many hours to serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the people of Harris County. In addition to naming the Plaza in his honor, a special Carruth Circle features an obelisk topped by a Smithsonian Armillary Sphere. In their space, the sculptures are surrounded by a tranquil setting that includes a flowing stream and “Texas heritage-style” landscaping, with such native Texas plants as cactus, yuccas and live oak trees. With trees and curved limestone walls behind most of the Western art sculptures, areas of seating are placed in close proximity to each work of art for maximum enjoyment. Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. Note: Reliant Park is home of the Offshore Technology Conference. |
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There are eight statues in the Carruth Plaza and all of them are unique and extraordinary. This, adapted from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Carruth Plaza: Amid native Texas landscaping and decomposed granite pathways, a collection of large-scale bronzes from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ call Carruth Plaza at Reliant Park home. Located in a prime location between Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium, just south of Reliant Center, the Plaza was made possible due to a grant from The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Named after Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, who served as president of both The Wortham Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Carruth Plaza serves as a tribute to the renowned Houston philanthropist who dedicated many hours to serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the people of Harris County. In addition to naming the Plaza in his honor, a special Carruth Circle features an obelisk topped by a Smithsonian Armillary Sphere. In their space, the sculptures are surrounded by a tranquil setting that includes a flowing stream and “Texas heritage-style” landscaping, with such native Texas plants as cactus, yuccas and live oak trees. With trees and curved limestone walls behind most of the Western art sculptures, areas of seating are placed in close proximity to each work of art for maximum enjoyment. This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Texas Legacy: Created by Robert Summers, six majestic Texas Longhorns are guided by two vaqueros on horseback in “Texas Legacy.” A gift in 1987, the bronze epitomizes Texas’ Western heritage. Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. |
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This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Team Ropers: The bond between a boy and his dog is portrayed in “Team Ropers.” Created by Veryl Goodnight and dedicated in 1991, the bronze shows a boy holding a rope while his canine companion tugs on it playfully. This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Yes!: The excitement of victory is captured in “Yes!.” The work of Lawrence M. Ludke, the sculpture portrays a young girl holding a first-place ribbon in her right hand, extended upward in joy. There are eight statues in the Carruth Plaza and all of them are unique and extraordinary. This, adapted from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Carruth Plaza: Amid native Texas landscaping and decomposed granite pathways, a collection of large-scale bronzes from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ call Carruth Plaza at Reliant Park home. Located in a prime location between Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium, just south of Reliant Center, the Plaza was made possible due to a grant from The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Named after Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, who served as president of both The Wortham Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Carruth Plaza serves as a tribute to the renowned Houston philanthropist who dedicated many hours to serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the people of Harris County. In addition to naming the Plaza in his honor, a special Carruth Circle features an obelisk topped by a Smithsonian Armillary Sphere. In their space, the sculptures are surrounded by a tranquil setting that includes a flowing stream and “Texas heritage-style” landscaping, with such native Texas plants as cactus, yuccas and live oak trees. With trees and curved limestone walls behind most of the Western art sculptures, areas of seating are placed in close proximity to each work of art for maximum enjoyment. http://www.eddhayes.com/houston_livestock_show_rodeo.html Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. Note: Reliant Park is home of the Offshore Technology Conference. |
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This, from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Vivian L. Smith: A former minority owner of the Houston Astros, Vivian L. Smith and her husband, R.E. “Bob” Smith, were an important part of the development of the Astrodome complex. There are eight statues in the Carruth Plaza and all of them are unique and extraordinary. This, adapted from the 2007 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Media Guide regarding Carruth Plaza: Amid native Texas landscaping and decomposed granite pathways, a collection of large-scale bronzes from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ call Carruth Plaza at Reliant Park home. Located in a prime location between Reliant Astrodome and Reliant Stadium, just south of Reliant Center, the Plaza was made possible due to a grant from The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Named after Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, who served as president of both The Wortham Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Carruth Plaza serves as a tribute to the renowned Houston philanthropist who dedicated many hours to serving the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the people of Harris County. In addition to naming the Plaza in his honor, a special Carruth Circle features an obelisk topped by a Smithsonian Armillary Sphere. In their space, the sculptures are surrounded by a tranquil setting that includes a flowing stream and “Texas heritage-style” landscaping, with such native Texas plants as cactus, yuccas and live oak trees. With trees and curved limestone walls behind most of the Western art sculptures, areas of seating are placed in close proximity to each work of art for maximum enjoyment. Taken on a very hot weekend in Houston using a Nikon D70 camera and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. This stitched image was created using the GigaPan Stitcher software and additional details can be seen in the Stitcher Notes. Note: Reliant Park is home of the Offshore Technology Conference. |