The Harmonious Gate of Interest (HDR)
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Wiki says...
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The Gate of Harmonious Interest, or Tong Ji Men, was erected in 1981.
It was built in China and is modeled after typical gates there. Both
the Chinese and non-Chinese communities worked together to have this
gate installed over Fisgard Street. Two inscriptions allude to this
cooperative effort: "To work together with one heart" and
"To help each other achieve harmony."
It is a most interesting structure in terms of Chinese cultural
symbolism. It's overall theme is Unity in Duality. This theme is seen
in the Gate's treatment of the Golden Dragon, a Yang element, and the
Red Phoenix, a Yin element. Red symbolizes joy and festivity while
gold symbolizes wealth and prosperity. These colours-together with
touches of Qing (a blue-green colour), which is symbolic of growth and
peace-represents the harmony of the elements. In particular, the red
and gold represent the union of heaven and earth.
There are bells hung from the corner of the gate. When these chime in the wind, Buddhists and Taoists believe they ward off evil spirits. On either side of the gate are two lions, who act as guardians protecting Chinatown. The female lion on the right side and the male on the left again signify the balance of Yin and Yang. It is an impressive opening to the oldest and complete Chinatown in Canada, and second oldest in North America, after San Francisco's chinatown.
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© 2010 Brandon Godfrey
Not for profit bloggers are welcome. I can always use the free publicity.
I do not use Getty Images. If you would like to use any of my photos, please contact me by flickrmail, or e-mail.
Thank You
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Comments and faves
Carl Chen, -phil-, Steve-h, Dan Anderson (dead camera, RIP), and 49 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Brandon Godfrey (35 months ago | reply)
My Last Post:
One Year Ago:
Hope everyone is having a great day. It is about 30c here in Victoria B.C
Carl Chen (35 months ago | reply)
Fantastic composition Brandon !!
-phil- (35 months ago | reply)
Wow super view of Victoria's Chinatown!! Fantastic HDR also with awesome colors!! Cheers!! =)
Steve-h (35 months ago | reply)
Lovely capture and an interesting caption !
liverweb (35 months ago | reply)
top work of a great arch
Dan Anderson (dead camera, RIP) (35 months ago | reply)
Killer Brando - your skill at showing low level light shines on this one - you continually impress
Jim Nix / Nomadic Pursuits (35 months ago | reply)
awesome blue hour HDR work my friend!!
ZedZap Photos (35 months ago | reply)
wow blue .. that rocks and it s warm at that time :)
mudpig (35 months ago | reply)
perfect work - and yep the blue rocks
Elena Kovalevich [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)
Such a beautiful art work! WOW!
:.* Ma&Mu *.: (35 months ago | reply)
los colores son tan geniales!!
que linda postal ^^
saludos :D
Jeff_B. (35 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
karma (Karen) (35 months ago | reply)
glorious color, light & detail
iTail ~ Steve Page (35 months ago | reply)
Awesome image... Wonderful color and composition....
Steve J O'Brien (35 months ago | reply)
FAB image Brandon esp as it is a night shot the patience of a Saint you must have
Limbo Poet having a break for a while (35 months ago | reply)
Superb work my friend
Yasin Hassan ياسين حسن (35 months ago | reply)
Wonderful shot
Ali@flickr (35 months ago | reply)
superb compo and colors !!!
Eyesplash - There is a change in the air. (35 months ago | reply)
I could never do it as much justice as you have Brando
Chris McLoughlin (35 months ago | reply)
Awesome work Brandon :)
Vinnyimages (35 months ago | reply)
This blue hour stuff is pretty sweet. Nice comp.
shadyezz (35 months ago | reply)
a superb shot Brandon :]
IceNineJon (35 months ago | reply)
Looks fantastic all lit up at night!
Steve Desko (35 months ago | reply)
Beautiful! I really love the contrast of the red against the blue sky.
I really do have to head down there sometime.
Dave DiCello (35 months ago | reply)
Fantastic work here Brandon! Love the blue hour shot, awesome colors for sure
WhyKenFotos (35 months ago | reply)
very nice.
ineedathis (35 months ago | reply)
That is one magnificent night shot, job well done Brandon!
Louie, Lou (35 months ago | reply)
Very interesting info.... Love this shot B, I remember the one you posted with the selective coloring, an awesome part 2 to a classic shot! Beautiful colors and processing brother!
AustinPixels (35 months ago | reply)
great vivid colors
Fmkmkm (35 months ago | reply)
pretty spectacular
gracious.tony.NZ (35 months ago | reply)
Really looks nice at large!!
excellent HDR work indeed
BOm V.T. (35 months ago | reply)
Fantastic work
GlobeTrotter 2000 (35 months ago | reply)
Amazing gate ! Excellent work !
stardex (35 months ago | reply)
lovely colour of lights, great focus !
Tony Chiarot (35 months ago | reply)
Excellent Capture! It is pretty cool to have such a thing right in our city!
Alesfra (35 months ago | reply)
Really great photo.
Congratulations !
christian.senger (35 months ago | reply)
Nice, a perfect motive for an HDR shot!
Malcolm MacGregor (35 months ago | reply)
Wow, this is really great. Nice color
Hemuda's Photography [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot!
Kinematic Digit (35 months ago | reply)
wow.... hard to believe it's been that long ago. I remember when they put that up because I moved to Victoria the year that Mount St. Helen's went off. Very rich colours in this shot.
TT_MAC (35 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot of this Victoria icon Brandon. The colors really pop and the intracacies and details are superb. I really like your description. In addtion to viewing places, I like that you can learn a lot about them on Flickr when people provide information like this.
-Randy- (35 months ago | reply)
what a beauiful shot!
nice HDR work!
DigitalSLG (35 months ago | reply)
Interesting info & spectacular shot. Colours are amazing!
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Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
kees straver (will be back online soon friends) (35 months ago | reply)
What a stunning blue hour shot and exposure
TIA International Photography (35 months ago | reply)
Very bright, animated, and eye-catching. You've brought the colors to life in this one, Brandon. This is great!
Ben-e-boy (35 months ago | reply)
fantastic once again mate, your HDR work is simply phenomenal!!!
Surrealplaces (35 months ago | reply)
Wicked lighting and coloring Brandon!
Ray Wise (35 months ago | reply)
love all the colours - nice night shot~!
Witty nickname (35 months ago | reply)
Love it.
Wherever I Roam (35 months ago | reply)
this looks awesome large! great details captured masterfully