Astronomers Monument Griffith Observatory
The Astronomers Monument stands just outside Griffith Observatory, a large Art Deco obelisk surrounded by six bronze figures honoring history's greatest astronomers. It makes for a striking foreground element against the observatory's iconic copper domes, and you can use its strong vertical lines to anchor compositions that also pull in the white facade behind it. Shoot from a low angle looking up to emphasize the scale of the figures against the sky, or step back and use a wider lens to incorporate both the monument and the full observatory building together. Golden hour light hits the bronze sculptures beautifully, giving them a warm glow that brings out the surface detail. Early morning is your best bet for fewer crowds and cleaner shots. The monument sits on a flat plaza that is easy to walk around, giving you full 360-degree access to try different angles and focal lengths. (Los Angeles, California, United States)
