DENVER MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
The Mile High City's Best Photo Opportunities
With 300 days of sunshine and a skyline framed by the spectacular Rocky Mountains, it’s no wonder that Denver has attracted a wide array of talented photographers over the years. Denver Month of Photography, taking place during the month of March, celebrates fine art photography through more 80 collaborative public events throughout The Mile High City and surrounding areas. Click here for a full listing of events. In the meantime, we've put together a gallery of 10 of our favorite Denver shots below, along with details on how you can get your very own Mile High memory in photographic form. We want to see your Denver photos! Just go to www.facebook.com/VisitDenver, click the "Like" button and post your favorite Mile High City shot!
CONFLUENCE PARK
The View: Denver was founded at this park, which marks the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. There is always a lot of activity here: two of the city's longest bike trails merge here and there are frequently kayakers shooting rapids on the South Platte with the skyline of Denver in the background. To get the city skyline in the background, Confluence is best photographed in the afternoon.
DENVER ART MUSEUM
The View: The eye-popping Daniel Libeskind-designed Hamilton Building at the Denver Art Museum opened just a few years ago, but it has rapidly become a true icon for the city – and an extremely popular spot for visitors and locals alike to get their picture taken. Its bold, jagged look was inspired by the Rocky Mountain and geometric rock crystals found in the foothills near Denver. If you’re behind the lens, you may have to get a low-angle shot to capture its grandeur in full.
CIVIC CENTER PARK AND THE COLORADO STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
The View: The park is a pleasant oasis in the heart of the city with expansive green lawns and flower gardens with the magnificent gold-domed State Capitol Building in the distance. There are several "Old West" statues in the park by Alexander Phimister Proctor including a cowboy on a bucking bronco that make great settings of "old and new" west. The views from the park can include the Denver Art Museum, the City & County Building or Denver's modern skyline.
RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE & PARK
The View: This is a 9,000-seat amphitheatre that is carved out of 300-foot high red sandstone monuments. Besides the amphitheatre, there are acres and acres of huge red rocks in dramatic formations. Everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen has played "the Rocks." Get some shots of the venue and stage, but also get some panoramic pics of Denver and the plains from the top of the Amphitheatre.
WASHINGTON PARK
The View: Denver's favorite park is extremely photogenic, with two lakes, two formal flower gardens, bike and pedal boat rentals and thousands of joggers and bicyclists. A great place to capture the spirit of this city that loves the outdoors and recreation.
16TH STREET MALL
The View: This mile-long pedestrian promenade is always buzzing with energy and activity. Designed by I.M. Pei, it is made of colored granite in the pattern of a diamondback rattlesnake. The Mall is lined with 28 outdoor cafes and more than 50,000 flowers are planted along the tree-lined path each year. Get a shot of the historic D&F Clocktower on 16th and Arapahoe, or the Denver Pavilions' 20-foot high sign that spells out "Denver" and is lit at night.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
The View: This 23-acre oasis in the middle of the city has 45 different gardens (some 33,000 plants), as well as one of the nation's top 10 conservatories. Everywhere you point your camera will capture nature at its most glorious.
"I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN" (AKA THE BIG BLUE BEAR)
The View: Head down to the Colorado Convention Center for a photo beneath “I See What You Mean,” AKA “The Big Blue Bear.” The sculpture, created by local artist Lawrence Argent, stands a whopping 40 feet tall, and appears to be curiously peering into the Convention Center lobby. Position your subject underneath the bear, stand back about 50 feet and point and click. Voila – a true “Only In Denver” photograph.
LOWER DOWNTOWN (LODO) AND UNION STATION
The View: Not quite as many trains pass through Union Station as they once did in its heyday, but the beautiful 1894 building still attracts photographers with its Beaux Arts-style design, expansive interior and stone clock tower. Get some shots of the building’s inspiring façade, surrounded by Lower Downtown's skyscrapers and refurbished historic buildings.
CITY PARK
The View: While you’re in City Park, you’ll be treated to unbeatable views of Denver’s skyline, framed by the spectacular Rocky Mountain Front Range. You may not find a better panorama in all of Colorado. The best time for a family photo is just before dusk (“the magic hour,” as the pros call it), as the sun begins its gorgeous descent behind the mountains.
We want to see your Denver photos! Just go to www.facebook.com/VisitDenver, click the "Like" button and post your favorite Mile High City shot!