Seattle Skyline Photo Locations?

[Photonerd]

Hello,

Does anyone know of good spots to take photos of the Seattle skyline?

Thanks in advaced.

[ibdb]

Kerry Park is one of the signature spots. On Queen Anne hill looking south towards the center and downtown. On a good day, you can get Mt. Rainier in the background.

From Alki looking back at the city is another popular one.

From Gasworks Park is a little less common, but also very nice.

There have been several shots posted at POTN taken from some bridges/overpasses on the southern edge of the city looking past Safeco and Quest Field towards downtown.

There are lots of options. You don't say in your location, but how familiar are you with the area?

[Radtech1]

Another one that is nice is from the Space Needle deck looking SE toward the stadia.

Rad

[August 15 Photography]

Another good spot is the 12th Ave S bridge that goes over I-90 looking North toward downtown. It is right next to the Amazon headquarters (Amazon.com) It is a great spot at night to get a long exposure to capture streaking head and tail lights from cars on the freeway going through downtown. If you turn around, the Amazon building itself is quite a shot at night, the building is very interesting as it used to be a mental institution. Very cool at night, kinda eerie, but you have to work around the multiple street lights in the multi level parking lot of the building.

As stated above, Kerry Park is probably the most famous spot. Go North up Queen Anne Ave and turn left on Highland Dr. its a block up on your left, you cant miss it. Also, jump on a ferry, the dock is right in the center of the skyline on the waterfront. You will get a ton of perspectives as you get further away. It's about a 45 min ride one way and 45 min back. You can take either ferry to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island. If it is a nice day like it is supposed to be tomorrow, the view is amazing from the water.

If you want a real different experience, take a Kenmore air tour. It is a seaplane tour that takes off out of lake Union and flies all around the area. On a clear day you can get amazing shots of Mt. Ranier.

By the way, for anyone who has never been here, come visit in the summer, contrary to popular belief, it does not rain here much in the summer. Two years ago we had 78 days in a row of no rain and I think like 50+ of 70 degrees or warmer. On a sunny day this is one of the most amazingly beautiful places you will ever see. but dont go telling people about the nice summers, its our little secret here in the NW.

[ibdb]

By the way, for anyone who has never been here, come visit in the summer, contrary to popular belief, it does not rain here much in the summer. Two years ago we had 78 days in a row of no rain and I think like 50+ of 70 degrees or warmer. On a sunny day this is one of the most amazingly beautiful places you will ever see. . .
SHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Lies I tell you!!! All lies!!! ;)

--Member, Lesser Seattle :lol:

[Photonerd]

You don't say in your location, but how familiar are you with the area?

Thanks for all the suggestions! I live in Dallas. I'm here for a few days and I'm not familiar with the area at all. But I have google and a nav system.

[showngo]

Google Earth always helps too, Space Needle for sure and Alki.

[tonylong]

Definitely thumbs up on the ferry idea! Great weather this weekend would make for a beautiful way to spend a few hours, and great shots of the skyline from the water.

Just be aware that you will have to deal with boat movement and motor vibrations, so use a lens with IS even if you have a tripod or monopod, and take plenty of shots because you'll have some shaky ones to week out.

The ferry and the waterfront are also great places to catch pics of seagulls and other water birds.

[Radtech1]

Whenever anyone asks about Seattle, I always like to link to this amazing page. If you want to see a very cool old/new of Seattle then this is it: two Panoramic shots, most likely taken from Alki, taken about 95 years apart. It is really amazing. LARGE is here (http://www.kokogiak.com/projects/seawft/reveal_1b.html) and REGULAR size is here (http://www.kokogiak.com/projects/seawft/reveal_2b.html). I assure you you will be impressed!

Makes you wonder about the word "Progress"

Oh, and one other thing, completely unrelated to photography - be sure to take the tour of the Underground City (http://www.undergroundtour.com/). Ask any local, a very very "Must See"!

Rad

[bsmotril]

Toke the sightseeing boat tour called "The Locks Tour". Besides getting great shots of the skyline from the sound, you'll get some from the back side on Lake Union. If it's clear, you'll also get some good one of the lighthouse with Mt Ranier in the background.

[bsmotril]

Toke the sightseeing boat tour called "The Locks Tour". Besides getting great shots of the skyline from the sound, you'll get some from the back side on Lake Union. If it's clear, you'll also get some good one of the lighthouse with Mt Ranier in the background.

[Hangbot]

just got back from a trip to Seattle! Great city and beautiful scenery.

Got some great advice from a member from Seattle - thanks SeattleSpeedster:). Got some good shots of the skyline from Alki beach. Also, ditto on the Space Needle. Had brunch up there and was able to get some cool shots of the city with the mountain in the background.

[dharshan]

I have a blog of the interesting photo locations in and around the Seattle area - www.seattlephotoadventures.blogspot.com. You will find a useful list of locations.

[tonylong]

Cool! Now we just have to pinpoint excellent ferry locations:)!

[ibdb]

I have a blog of the interesting photo locations in and around the Seattle area - www.seattlephotoadventures.blogspot.com (http://www.seattlephotoadventures.blogspot.com). You will find a useful list of locations.
Thanks for sharing that! Welcome to POTN.

[origamione]

Pier 66
Pike Place
Capitol Hill
UW

There's so many great photo location in Seattle, if you're not limiting to skyline alone, you should also look at other potential such as the east side by the lake of Kirkland.