Vancouver Photography

[nova9]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ Burrard Bridge could really use some Olympic rings.

It really does. Lost opportunity there, I say.

[SpongeG]

what happenned to the fancy lighting granville bridge was suppossed to get in time for the olympics?

and great set of pics - the drive is looking good

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by nova9

It really does. Lost opportunity there, I say.

The Games are in less than 3 weeks, and so far I have to say I'm quite disappointed with both the quantity and quality of decorations we have...and all of those street banners should be up by now, they should have started installation in December.

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

I enjoyed the tour of Commercial Drive, but I have to say that - unlike some other neighbourhoods - photos (any photos) really don't do that area justice. It has to be experienced in person, because it is one of the most vibrant and authentic places in the city limits. Great pix regardless.

Gotta agree, I love the neighbourhood! Great place to call home.

[ckkelley]

Photo by me.

[WarrenC12]

Fantastic views.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xMz2SnSWS4

Sorry not sure how to embed the video.

[mike474]

Originally Posted by mr.x

^ Burrard Bridge could really use some Olympic rings.

I agree. I'm not a big fan of the rings on the barge from what I've seen in photos, maybe I'll change my mind when I get there for the games. I thought the bridge-mounted rings in Sydney looked really sharp and was hoping Van could do something similar because it certainly has a couple attractive bridges. Unfortunately the angles don't pan out. But like you said, why not a second set on the Burrard?

[SpongeG]

there were plans for 5 sets of rings i think - grouse mountain, burrard bridge and one other place - maybe lions gate? we ended up with 2

[mr.x]

17 days until the Games, this city still feels like normal Vancouver instead of Olympic Vancouver.

[mike474]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

there were plans for 5 sets of rings i think - grouse mountain, burrard bridge and one other place - maybe lions gate? we ended up with 2

Other than coal harbour where is the other set of rings located?

[SpongeG]

at the airport

• Video Link

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by mr.x

17 days until the Games, this city still feels like normal Vancouver instead of Olympic Vancouver.

have you been downtown? its olympic crazy the fencing, the banners, the wraps its pretty busy with olympic crap - every station is olympic themed well olympic sponsors etc

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

have you been downtown? its olympic crazy the fencing, the banners, the wraps its pretty busy with olympic crap - every station is olympic themed well olympic sponsors etc

Yes, I've been in Downtown several times this past week...it's still not even close to the same extent we've seen at previous Olympic cities. Not to mention, everything should be up by now but it's not...

Having sponsors do decor is one thing, but the actual VANOC Olympic brand is another and that's what I'm most interested in...

[SpongeG]

well maybe we are seeing different things it looks olympicized to me convention centre area is wall to wall olympics

[VanHowe]

Compared to Salt Lake City, from pictures I have seen, Vancouver doesn't quite match up to the number of building wraps that they had. It seems like there is a lot of nervous energy regarding the snow at Cypress. I think the Look of the Games budget having been cut has contributed to some of this. It will all be a frenzy of excitement by the time the Flame arrives in Greater Vancouver. Monday in Langley! I can't wait.

[officedweller]

Yeah, you can see some here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/debaird/sets/6141/

Looks like theirs were partly sponsored by the organizing committee (see logo and lack of massive advertising slogans) - so in our case, VANOC cut the budget because of the recession. It would have been nice to see the "look of the Games" on the towers downtown.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Fantastic views.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xMz2SnSWS4

Sorry not sure how to embed the video.

Thanks for link. Amazing video and music.

[SFUVancouver]

The effect of the tens of million dollar that were cut last year from the 'look of the games' budget is certainly observable now. With that said, I am downtown every day and it certainly feels to me like there is activity brewing. Go to Robson Square and tell me that there is no evidence of the Games, try to say the same if you venture towards BC and GM Place(s), certainly the convention centre.

Frankly it would have been awesome to have a dozen towers done up with look of the games building wraps but it will undoubtably feel like there is a lot going on where it counts, at street level, once the pedestrian streets are in affect, not to mention when the giant search lights start streaking across English Bay.

Let's not forget that VANOC made the budget cuts, which affected a whole lot more than the decorating budget, in the midst of the worst of the recession. They still had not plugged the major sponsor holes that have since been filled, nor had they received a major payment from the IOC that was going to be used for cashflow leading up to the games. In the end I don't think anyone is going to especially care whether we have two buildings with Olympic wrap or a dozen. I'm just thrilled that the city is FINALLY getting public information panels with maps. Hallelujah!

[mr.x]

^ the excitement/feel of the Games is certainly growing, but it's not where it should be. The OCOG's expenditures on the Look of the Games contribute significantly to the Olympic experience.

So far, I'd say it's feeling very tame. Huge murals of the Look of the Games on buildings is something I was really looking forward to...the designers did an incredible job with the graphic design, but it's not being showed off the way it should be. I'm very disappointed.

[entheosfog]

Some of the buildings on the 100 Block of West Hastings, post restoration:








This is what some of those buildings looked like before:


Any idea what this is about? It's posted on the retail portion of the Hastings Street side of Woodwards: