[Don B.]

The Century Plaza tower's cladding is gone, as part of the conversion to condos in midtown:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1476copy.jpg

The Phoenix Public Library:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1482copy.jpg

A downtown perspective - you can see the new light rail station under construction in the foreground:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1490copy.jpg

Another downtown perspective:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1491copy.jpg

Looking east down Van Buren:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1497copy.jpg

A weird angle of 44 Monroe, making it look huge:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1498copy.jpg

The nascent Hotel Monroe awaits her transformation from shabby harlot to newfound debutante:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1500copy.jpg

A ballpark area perspective - near Chase Field:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1505copy.jpg

Summit at Copper Square is looking good:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1508copy.jpg

I took this bizarre photo out of the moonroof of my car, shooting backwards. The perspective is looking east down Buchanan:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1511copy.jpg

The new Sheraton is getting cladded. This view is from the west, looking east at the west side of the complex:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1518copy.jpg

Another odd angle of the new Sheraton, taken through the moonroof of my car. You can see the meeting room space is framed now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1524copy.jpg

A view of the two tallest structures in downtown under construction now, taken from 3rd Street and McDowell:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1530copy.jpg

Detail of the new Sheraton:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Phoenix%20downtown%20May%202007/IMG_1531copy.jpg

--don

[jvbahn]

Good shots, Don, good to see Monroe 44 and the Sheraton really making an impact.

[navyweaxguy]

Welcome back :) That moonroof shot rules!!! I'm gonna duct tape my camera to the roof of my truck and take some pics :D

[PHX602]

That wide screen of Chase Field and the Summit is shweeeet. The 2nd to last really shows how much of an impact the Sheraton is going to have on the skyline from the north.

[InfillJunkie]

Welcome back Don and thanks for the awesome photos!!

[Vicelord John]

pfffffft

I'll take a convertable shot.

nice pictures.

[innov8]

WOW... those are great! Good to see your skills back at work on SSP :yes:

[Azndragon837]

Don, those are amazing shots of DT PHX! Always excellent to have you take those amazing shots with the precious, hehehe. Since the last time you posted DT PHX updates, things have changed in the skyline, and it is reflected greatly in your new shots. I love the wide panos and the 44 Monroe photo that makes it look huge! Great job!

-Andrew

[DevdogAZ]

Excellent work, Don. Glad to see you back, and glad to see you got the first year out of the way. If Phx. Int'l. is anything like most law schools, it will be much easier from here (I'm graduating from ASU this week).

Do you do much enhancing of these photos with Photoshop, or do you get that much color and contrast straight ou of the camera?

[Don B.]

^ There are few adjustments in Photoshop. I typically just hit auto levels to brighten them just a bit (I was underexposing the shots because I was driving and not using a tripod) and sometimes a little shadow brightening to bring out the dark areas, especially since shooting in a contrasty (bright) environment like Phoenix. None of these have any hue-saturation (color) enhancements at all. :)

Thanks. I have my first final tomorrow morning at 9 am - Torts II.

I did win Order of the Barristers for my Moot Court competition last week, placing third out of 145 students in the school. This stemmed from my LP II argument, where we have to write and argue an appellate brief before an imaginary 17th Circuit Court of Appeals. I don't like appellate work, though, I'm far more theatrical and prefer jury trial work instead.

Congrats on your ASU graduation. As for me, my first year was something like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/don85259/Misc%20Items/poseidon1copy.jpg

:D

--don

[DracoCaifan]

Glad to see you back in action Don.....!!!! I loved the 44 Monre shot... it really looks huge!!! Grea shots!!

[JAHOPL]

Thanks for the photos, Don. The last couple in what I'm guessing were taken in the late afternoon have a reddish Sedona red rock tint. Very Arizonaish.

Congratulations on the law competition. Hope you're boat is still floating.

[jard]

Don, GREAT to see you back. Good luck on your finals.

[loftlovr]

Don-

Amazing!!
So good to have you back.
BTW- Nice moonroof shots!
Aren't you the daredevil photographer now!
(flashback of Sean dangling off of Biltmore Towers balcony to get a good shot)

[Upward]

It's great to see your distinctive photography on SSP again, Don. :tup: