Pier 57
Pier 57 sits along Seattle's central waterfront and gives you one of the most recognizable views in the city, anchored by the Seattle Great Wheel rising directly above the pier. The Ferris wheel works beautifully as a focal point, and you can frame it against the open waters of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains to the west, or the city skyline to the north. A wide angle lens lets you capture the full sweep of the waterfront and bay, while a longer lens lets you compress the mountains behind the wheel for a dramatic effect. Golden hour is ideal here, with warm light catching the wheel's gondolas and reflecting off the water. Shooting just after sunset extends your options, as the wheel lights up in color and mirrors nicely in the bay. Street-level access is easy and the boardwalk gives you room to shift your framing in either direction. (Seattle, Washington, United States)
