The Getty Center is especially stunning at night when the museum is closed and clear of visitors. We attended an uplifting lecture by Pete Souza, President Obama’s White House Photographer.
One week later, the hills surrounding the Getty were inundated by wildfires. Fortunately, the museum wasn’t damaged.
Steps
“The responsibility of an architect is to create a sense of order, a sense of place, a sense of relationship.”
~ Richard Meier, Architect, Getty Center
Getty Grids
LA Lights
Night Reflection
Night at the Museum
“Every great architect is – necessarily – a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age.”
~Frank Lloyd Wright
The Atrium
Night Shot
LA Framed
Trees and Pool
“To make a picture that I haven’t made before, that’s my daily goal.”
~Pete Souza
The Eye
Moon and Columns
Pete Souza
Jane Lurie Photography 
Beautiful night photography, Jane! But my favorites are: Steps, LA Lights, Night Reflection and LA Framed.
Best regards, Heidi
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Thanks so much, Heidi. This was a magical evening and the museum was lit so beautifully for photographs. Glad you enjoyed!
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So many amazing photos 👍 Just when I thought I had a favorite, I came across a few more favorites…..
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Thank you so much, Aixa. It was an inspiring evening all around. I and so glad that the fires didn’t harm the museum!
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Great shots:)
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Jane, these are wonderful! I’m envious about the evening walk on the grounds and the lecture. The first image is a knock-out, it’s great in black and white. The “Night at the Museum” image looks like it was done for a magazine, maybe AD! It’s perfection! I also love “LA Framed” and the skyline shot seems surprisingly clear for LA. The “Trees and Pool” photo is also excellent – but they all are. And thank you for including the shot in the auditorium, with that photo in the background, very nice. Altogether it is such an accomplished essay, and at night! I’d love to learn a few things from you about night photography!
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Hi Lynn, Wow. You’ve made my day. Thank you for your thoughtful responses to these images– I really appreciate it coming from your keen eye. I was so excited about Pete Souza, that it didn’t dawn on me until we arrived that we would have the museum grounds virtually to ourselves. It was very cool– and stunning at night. I’m so glad you like the progression of shots and conversions to monochrome. Pete’s book on Obama is beautiful, too, as the icing on the cake for the evening. 😉Hope all is well with you!
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I wish I’d said that:)
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The Souza quote is one that can be applied to anyone with a camera, from one who only takes snaps to the professional.
A fantastic set of photos. My parents, on one of many trips to California in the 1980s, inadvertently found the Getty when there was still some wrangling about whether it would become a museum or remain a private estate. Since it was still private, they turned around. They said if it became a museum, it would be a little off the beaten path. Of course, the road network was a little different 30-some years ago.
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Hi David, Glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks. That’s a neat story about your parents and the Getty – I assume it was the Getty Villa on Hwy 1. Sure is different now compared to the 80’s!
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Stunning in monochrome, it is a stark beauty. I smiled when I saw the eye peering up from the corner, well seen Jane. Fire can destroy so much so I am so pleased this magnificent building was spared
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Hi Pauline, Very relieved this complex was spared. The fires north in Santa Barbara continue. Frightening. Glad you enjoyed the images and that you caught the eye! Thank you. 😊
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Fires can be so scary, sorry to hear the Santa Barbara fires are still burning
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Thanks, Pauline. Sadly, Australia sure knows about fires…
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Unfortunately but maybe this season it will not be so bad as a wet summer is forecast, but then it could be floods…
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Glad you may be getting rain…but hope not out of control. We are back in a drought winter, sadly.
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Do you have a garden to worry about?
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Not anymore since we moved west. Apartment living… probably hard for you to imagine with your beautiful garden. 😉
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I can imagine the freedom to develop other interests that apartment living gives you. A garden does tie me down
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What a beautiful museum, Jane, and I am so glad that it was not damaged by the fires.
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Glad you enjoyed my evening at the Getty. Thanks so much, Lisa.
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What wonderful photos of what looks like a beautiful building.
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Thank you, Lisa. I had only seen it during the day, so this was a fantastic surprise. It is a beautiful complex with amazing views.
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each and every photo stimulates the mind by capturing a moment in time; one that is very out of the ordinary
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What a thoughtful comment, Eddie. Something you hope for when capturing a scene. Thanks very much.
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You are magnificent… amazing photos and lighting…
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Thank you so much, Linda. Happy you like them. 🙂
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I loved the Getty when I saw it during the day. But it’s spectacular at night! Beautiful shots!
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Hi Patti, Me, too, and then was astounded seeing at night. Great fun to photograph. Thanks very much.
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Great series, Jane. Especially drawn to Getty Grids and LA Lights…but i truly love them all!
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Thanks so much, Diane. Pleased you enjoyed them– great to hear from you!
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Beautiful photos, Jane. I like the B&W Night Reflection. It could be right out of Life magazine.
Ω
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Allan, Now that’s a fabulous compliment. Thank you! I felt like I was walking through an architectural dream.
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Jane, nice images. It must have been a very special event.
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Thanks, Tim. I was teary from the start…wonderful stories and images. He’s charming and the book is gorgeous.
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Jane, thank you for you emotional and insightful comments about the presentation. I’ll try to find the book.
I attended the conversation between Jeff Walls and Clement Cheroux about the Walker Evans exhibition at SFMOMA. I like Jeff Walls images but I came away the talk with an impression of Walls being an art snob. He would probably take that as badge of honor. Hopefully that won’t decrease my appreciation of his work.
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Hi Tim, I assume the talk was in Vancouver? That must have been interesting despite Jeff Walls’ affect. Would love to hear Cheroux. I’ve seen the Walker exhibit twice now… may fit in another. The photography floor at SFMoMa is a treat.
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Hi Jane, it was held at SFMOMA. Walls is on their artist board. The Walker show is interesting. It is nice to see exhibits that are curated by museums outside the U.S.A. This exhibit seemed to have a focus on Walker as a person than a documentation of what he produced in different periods of his life. An example of this is the inclusion of the large mural and pictures of his home.
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Oh my goodness, Tim. Of course. I had been corresponding with a blogging friend in Vancouver and I transported you there. So sorry! I know you are in SF area… until my brain goes on vacation… 😬😬😬
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Hey, a vacation sounds fun. Jeff Wall is from Canada and born in Vancouver. What a coincidence.
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I think that started my brain twist…. 😳
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Pas I loved the personal side that was presented..his collections, the video at the end. A comprehensive overview.
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Is there a video of the presentation?
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I meant the video of him at the end of the exhibit.
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really gorgeous shots Jane….love the detail..and the mystery that they portray …beautiful building!!!
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Thank you, April. It was quite magical strolling the grounds virtually empty of people.
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Impressing architecture – and impressing pictures, too. Kind regards, Helge
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Thank you, Helge. Richard Meier’s architecture suits this location so beautifully. Glad you enjoyed them.
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Night time is great for photography, I just wish I had more time to go out then. A stunning set.
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It sure is, Mike, and I agree it’s hard to get out there. Pete Souza gave me a good reason this time! Pleased you enjoyed these- the Getty makes it easy to get creative.
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Breathtaking images. (As always) 😊
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Thank you so much, Helen. 🙂
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Great images. Was the talk good? Is he the guy who photographed Obama all those years?
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Hi Dorris, Thanks! Yes, Pete Souza was the WH photographer for all of Obama’s presidency. He shot 1.9 million images! He has the gift for capturing the moment.
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Stunning photographs enhanced with appropriate quotations. You’re clearly a visual and technical artist, Jane. Beautifully done!
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i also enjoyed Pete Souza’s interview with Terry Gross on NPR. I will purchase his book..
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Thank you, Renee. How lovely of you to let me know. Great interview on NPR. Pete has been an inspiration for many years and his stories and book are fabulous.
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These are terrific! Glad to see you are doing more and more B&W.
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Thanks, Jack. It was a very black and white evening. I really do love “seeing” in monochrome. Glad you like these.
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Magnificent night captures!
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Thank you so much, Amy. What a fun night walking the complex. By ourselves!
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Beautiful night photos. I listened to an interview that Terry Gross of Fresh Air had with Pete Souza. Must have been a wonderful lecture!
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Hi Ken, How nice to hear from you. Thanks! Yes, it was a marvelous evening full of touching and funny stories and, as you know, fabulous photography. Sigh.
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Beautiful shots of the museum and surroundings. So grateful it wasn’t damaged by the fires!
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Thanks very much, Mary. It is frightening how intense the fires have been. The Getty was lucky.
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These are gorgeous night shots Jane 🙂
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Thank you, Joe. Wish I had more time…it was a monochrome dream. 🙂
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Your photography is simply stunning.
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Thank you, Jude. I really appreciate your reaction. 🙂
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We keep on building with all what we feel in this time and place. Nice shots..
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So true, Leegschrift. Pleased you enjoyed this series, thank you.
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Superb collection of images of such a special place. Thank goodness it escaped the fires. So sad for all those that didn’t
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Thank you, Andrew. It’s been a series of tragic stories. Very sad and scary.
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It must have been great to hear Souza speak. Wonderful night shots of the museum. Especially like seeing the city lights in the background.
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Hi Jane, I was teary from the get-go. Wonderful stories and, as you know, fabulous photography. A fun LA night. Glad you like these, thanks.
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🙂 It’s been way too long since I’ve been there.
Thanks for sharing and have a very HAPPY weekend 🙂
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Hi happyface, Glad it brought back good memories. Thank you. 😁
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Absolutely stunning. So very glad to learn that the museum was spared.
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Hi Gunta, Happy you enjoyed these, thank you. What a relief that it was contained with no damage.
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Such a beautiful place and your photos have captured it!
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Thanks, Kathleen. I was so happy to see it at night. Glad you enjoyed these.
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Stupendous shots, Never seen photos of this place before…it does not disappoint, especially not when seen through your eyes.
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Thank you, Paula. That makes my day. It was a thrill to see the Getty at night.
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Nicely done.
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Thanks very much, Kelly.
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These are terrific shots. I think the museum could use use them for their advertising as these are as glorious ( or more so) than any images I have ever seen of the Getty. I am so glad to hear that it is OK. I was wondering how it fared, but had heard nothing here.
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Hi Linda, What a great compliment– thanks so much. A relief that it was spared and interesting to learn that the architecture is designed to resist fire and protect the artwork.
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Great stuff very carefully seen and executed, love it,
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Thanks, Bruce. I’ve been there during the day but was really thrilled to see how beautifully lit it was at night. Glad you like them.
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Outstanding! Makes me wanna go.
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Thanks, Freddiegeorgia. I hope you get there sometime- it’s a real treat.
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Gorgeous shots. I especially love the lighting in your photos.
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Thank you very much, Imelda. That means a lot.
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These are beautiful Jane. I especially enjoyed the B&W treatment.
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Thanks, Tina. This complex screams for monochrome. Glad you like them.
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You most certainly did the incredible architecture justice with your outstanding composition and exposure.
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That is very nice to read, Elliot. Thank you so much. I could have spent much more time wandering but Pete Souza’s presentation was my reward. 🙂
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Fantastic shots – you captured the best at night!
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Thank you, Fran. So good to hear from you!
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It is a wonderful complex, very photogenetic and you made great pictures.
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Thank you, Peter. It was especially enticing at night…very peaceful. Happy you enjoyed them.
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Sweet.
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Thank you, Alix. It’s a beautiful museum complex.
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