The City Glow-Up: Magnetic Lights at Twilight

Pylon Lookout Part III: Wait a little longer after the first magical start of twilight as everything darkens and becomes more vibrant. 

The last drops of sunlight remain as the city lights turn on. 

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The Twilight Hour: Subdued Tones & Colors in Sydney

Pylon Lookout Part II: The twilight hour approaches after the sun sets. 

The colors become muted and soft but still bright enough where sights are visible. 

The clouds have higher contrast and are more prominent. 

The skyscrapers stand tall and get ready to illuminate into the night. 

Afterglow: Twilight Lights at Sydney Opera House

Pylon Lookout Part I: The color of Sydney Opera House continues to transform throughout the day from white to glowing yellow as the direction of the sun (or lack thereof) changes as the hours fly by. 

One of my favorite captures is during twilight as the mostly cloudy sky absorbs some of the fading sunset colors and the lights begin to flicker into the evening.

Land of the Palm Trees and Skyscrapers in Honolulu

At the 18th floor of the hotel, we get a sweeping view of the skyscrapers in Waikiki, dramatic clouds in action, and the palm trees at the nearby park. It's been a blast watching the skies change every other minute - from rain to sunshine to rainbows and everything in between. 

Rising to Heaven: Endless Sky Views from the Castle

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden Part I: The Children's Fantasy Garden is indeed a fantasy, filled with mysterious creatures, unique trees, a big pumpkin you can walk inside (!!), a castle, and so much more. 

This castle has an open view of the sky, offering up a remarkable sight of the world outside, all the wondrous beauty and magical unknowns of life. 

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Lisbon City and Ocean Views from Alfama

Red rooftop buildings surround Lisbon, offering extraordinary views all around the city. The narrow, hilly streets create outstanding scenery, with warm and vibrant colors everywhere you turn. 

Calming Sunset Skies Sweeping Over Porto, Portugal

One of my favorite views ever above a narrow steep hill after walking along the cobblestone streets of Porto. Above the Passeio das Virtudes garden, we witness this perfectly timed sunset with the Douro River and red roofs decorating the city. 

Old Meets New: The Unique Charm of Porto City

The remarkable architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings make quite the splash in Porto. 

This view across the Douro River captures Porto's beauty at its best--showcasing the city's historic district all in one shot. 

Castle's View: The Red Rooftops of Lisbon

Castle of São Jorge Part I: One thing I've always been fascinated with Lisbon is how their 25 de Abril Bridge resembles San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge (and the Bay Bridge). 

It's so easy to get the two bridges mixed up if you were to look at it quickly at a distance...until you see this view with all the red rooftops and realize how different the two cities actually are. 

The Cliff and Landscape Scene in Peniche

Striking blue skies and water light up the Cabo Carvoeiro, a tremendous spot with wide landscape and cliff views from all 360 degrees in Peniche. 

Fog + Sky Rooftop Views of San Francisco Skyline

Remarkable cityscape views from a rooftop bar in SOMA of San Francisco, offering skyline views of downtown, including the Salesforce Tower (being partially shrouded in fog) and other notable buildings towering into the sky. 

Towering Sky: Soaring Heights and Skyscrapers

The close-up view of skyscrapers at downtown, where you get an up-close and personal view of the tallest skyscrapers in the city 30 floors above ground level. 

After Sunrise: Aerial View of San Francisco Bay

 

That unbelievable view just after sunrise as the sky begins to clear up and the fog slowly evaporates. 

The skyscrapers, water, hills, and bridges start to show their true colors. 

Seattle at Night: Illuminating Space Needle + Lights

 

Possibly one of the coolest views of the Seattle skyline whether in the day or night. You can't quite define the city without the Space Needle! 

Into the Wild: Sun Breaking through the Sky

Astonishing aerial views of the waters and mountains of Canada. 

With the sun breaking through the sky, the stream of lights look particularly cool on the landscape, creating golden colors, shadows, and reflections. 

I added in some warmer tones to this to create the effect of an incoming sunset, included a faded turquoise streak, a couple snow droplets, and some extra human aspect to it.

Faded to Pink: Magical Skyscrapers + Pastel Sunsets

 

I was in awe of how light, pink, and hazy the sky was and wanting to capture this view.

Behind all of the trees, you can see the hidden, faded skyscrapers and the pastel sunset hues from the sky.

City Lights at Twilight in Downtown San Francisco

One of those days with super clear skies after the sun sets on the other side of the city, presenting us with a yellow-blue glow in the sky, as smooth as gradient colors as the lights began to shine even brighter from the darkened streets.

Aerial Landscape: Snowy Mountains of Canada

One of the most stunning landscapes I've ever seen while on a plane!

As we continued to head north, we passed by so many snowy mountaintops and lakes that were surrounded by a mix of crystal clear blue skies and cumulus clouds throughout the journey. It was an epic couple hours indeed.

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Twisted Architecture: Sign of Things to Come

A twisted skyscraper tower...the first of its kind seen in San Francisco. I remember looking at the construction of this MIRA tower for a couple years and now it's completed and ready for takeover. 

Coit Tower's Cityscape Views of San Francisco Bay

This makes you do a double take. Just one look at this and it feels like you're looking at Lisbon (or San Francisco). From far away or just from a quick glance, the Golden Gate Bridge looks remarkably similar to the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon and vice versa.

This particular view from Coit Tower of the city and the bridge can definitely be found in Lisbon for the most part (just tweak those peach-colored buildings and add in colorful red-tiled buildings).