LookingToMove Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 There is a similar internet forum where a photo of Westheimer is being presented as a negative portrayal of Houston. It is a poster from Dallas who keeps posting it. There are accusations the photo has been altered (with clutter added) because the highrise is too close in the photo, and the intersection doesn't look the same on Google maps street view (location on Westheimer @ Lazy Hollow, approx 8650 Westheimer). Can some experts weigh in on their opinions? http://www.city-data.com/forum/7150406-post242.html http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s...-cities-25.html http://www.city-data.com/forum/7141406-post38.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottonmather0 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 There is a similar internet forum where a photo of Westheimer is being presented as a negative portrayal of Houston. It is a poster from Dallas who keeps posting it. There are accusations the photo has been altered (with clutter added) because the highrise is too close in the photo, and the intersection doesn't look the same on Google maps street view (location on Westheimer @ Lazy Hollow, approx 8650 Westheimer). Can some experts weigh in on their opinions? http://www.city-data.com/forum/7150406-post242.html http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s...-cities-25.html http://www.city-data.com/forum/7141406-post38.html I wouldn't necessarily say it's photoshopped, but it's definitely distorted, maybe with some sort of telephoto lens effect. Although all of the telephone poles and the ultra large Transco in the back seems to be additions. Here is the original picture: Here is the Google view of the "same" location, in between Fondren and Lazy Hollow. Target is definitely behind the building with the red letters, but I think that's all that's real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanith27 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 The picture looks closer to the Westheimer/Fondren intersection looking east. The picture definitely looks 'enhanced'. Although many of the buildings seen to the side are legitimate, they seem to be compressed in such a way that it makes the picture look very crowded. And the Williams Tower in the background is several miles away, so that seems to support that this image has somehow been doctored to suggest all of this activity is taking place over a few linear blocks. In the google maps link, move a bit to the west towards Fondren and then look east and see how visible the road sign is for 'Lazy Hollow'. i.e. its not as this image suggests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 This is near Fondren - yes, it's ugly out there, but not that ugly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 It's possible that it's just the angle creating a forced perspective. The Google car takes pictures from the middle of the street, while the photographer of the image in question appears to have only stepped off the curb a couple of feet.You can create the same effect by taking a picture down the side of a picket fence -- all the pickets move closer together than they really are.Also taking the photo from a long way away with a zoom lens will flatten it out, making the Williams Tower as well as other buildings and telephone poles in the distance appear much closer than they really are.It could also be that it's both the perspective and photoshopping, but since I don't live in that neighborhood I'm can't judge that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porchman Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 This reminds me of a pic in Time magazine about 15-20 years ago, showing Houston's billboard population. It was around the time that the moratorium was enacted. I think it was snapped on the Katy Freeway. It made it look as though Houston had about 100 billboards per mile. Edit: {So it made sense} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottonmather0 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Here is the view from the other side of the red letter building - the Target sign is barely visible. There is no way the Lazy Hollow street sign would be visible with any kind of lens and still be in the same visual field as the red letters on the building. My guess is that it was taken with a telephoto lens and then the landmarks were pasted back in to make the picture look somewhat believable. But I'm not an expert on this type of thing at all. Notice too that there are two different sets of Street View images taken on two very different days. They go back and forth between days as you move down the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 There is a similar internet forum where a photo of Westheimer is being presented as a negative portrayal of Houston. It is a poster from Dallas who keeps posting it.A Dallas poster is making negative portrayals of Westheimer? I thought only we could do that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I say we draft Jax or Boris to try to recreate the photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Only problem is I rarely go outside the loop...The Google street view photos look a lot uglier to me than the telephoto shot to me, although neither are particularly nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 How often do you see two speed limit signs that close to each other?? And the street must look like a Used Car Lot at night with all those extra street lamps. Obviously this photo is altered to make us look cluttered, we all know Westheimer doesn't look like this. I agree maybe not photoshopped but rather a lens effect. Whomever this Dallas poster is, he's obviously got no way to take pride in his city except to make desperate attempts to defame ours. Wherever he is posting this nonsense I hope someone else is there to quickly dispute this photo's accuracy and discredit this individual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I like how there is a woman riding her bike on the wrong side of the road - into traffic in this photo. I see that all the time here in H-Town for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 It didn't strike me as photoshopped. As editor said it seems to be the angle that focuses all the clutter. Why does Houston have to have so many overhead power lines? It makes it look so blighted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potsey99 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I like how there is a woman riding her bike on the wrong side of the road - into traffic in this photo. I see that all the time here in H-Town for some reason.I don't think it is photoshopped...it is oneof the ugliest stretches of the West Side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinDaugherty Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I like how there is a woman riding her bike on the wrong side of the road - into traffic in this photo. I see that all the time here in H-Town for some reason.In my neighborhood, which has PERFECTLY GOOD sidewalks, people - mostly of the geezer variety - walk in the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I don't think it is photoshopped...it is oneof the ugliest stretches of the West Side.The perspective has been altered. It's not a normal photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Here's the view from live maps:http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&...1&encType=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 The sight of (2) speed limit signs showing 35 mph is a clear indication that the perspective was messed with in the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolBuddy06 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I found myself at Westheimer and Kirkwood this morning and instead of going back to I-10 to do 80mph to 610, i decided to inspect this picture.I don't know any setting or perspective that will naturally produce that photo. The photo'd been shrunk. But that stretch is also u-u-uglyyy. I did enjoyed the coasting though, catching no red light from Kirkwood until i veered right to W Alabama in the Galleria. Two bad things: my wife's navi system kept yelling at me to go use Westpark tollway and one woman that looks like sefvif's avatar left her pointer on, yapping on the phone and wonder why I flashed my headlights at her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Why does Houston have to have so many overhead power lines? It makes it look so blighted!If I recall correctly form the last thread on the subject, it's because the loudest people are cheap and short-sighted.The sight of (2) speed limit signs showing 35 mph is a clear indication that the perspective was messed with in the photo.It's pretty easy to figure out where they are. It looks to me like the signs are about a block apart on the south side of the street a couple of blocks west of Target. Surely some HAIFer who works in the area can take a drive through that area and let us know if there are two 35MPH signs shortly after the FM sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memebag Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I don't think the photo is doctored. I think it was just taken with a long lens. That compresses the depth, making it look like those speed limit signs are close to each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I agree with meme, 100%, that was just shot at the right angle and right lens, that has compressed all the media in it. I think it is a great shot, and for some reason, it is not ugly to me. I could see going with alot less power poles, but what are ya gonna do ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new major on the block Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I concurr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxDave Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 The photo was likely not 'doctored', but effects were used to dramatically compress the distance. The street lights along Westheimer are actually more than 1 foot apart and Target is not that close to Williams Tower.Actually the only thing that really looks bad in this picture is the congestion of telephone poles and power lines. Even though they are not as close as the photo indicates, they are still an eyesore. However, this problem exists somewhere in every city in the US.The photo does not really make Houston look bad (it could be anywhere) as much as it highlights flaws in modern urban development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 not photoshopped. westheimer is really that ugly it's just that the pic was taken from a perspective we normally do not see. on the side walk. LOL. houstonians only know this city based on what they see from the road.the google image is wide angle to get both side of the street in view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chamo Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 The sight of (2) speed limit signs showing 35 mph is a clear indication that the perspective was messed with in the photo. Funny but those two speed limits signs ARE that close in real life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnhw2 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 There is a similar internet forum where a photo of Westheimer is being presented as a negative portrayal of Houston. It is a poster from Dallas who keeps posting it. There are accusations the photo has been altered (with clutter added) because the highrise is too close in the photo, and the intersection doesn't look the same on Google maps street view (location on Westheimer @ Lazy Hollow, approx 8650 Westheimer).Can some experts weigh in on their opinions?http://www.city-data.com/forum/7150406-post242.htmlhttp://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s...-cities-25.htmlhttp://www.city-data.com/forum/7141406-post38.htmlNo comment of the pictures. Are you still considering moving? I've lived in Fleetwood for 30 years and like the yard size and location. Happy to provide any input needed if you are still pondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Is this photo of Westheimer altered/photoshopped? No. Taken today with with 400mm zoom lens from the Fondren intersection. Only major difference I see is the Lazy Hollow sign has fallen or been relocated. Original Although all of the telephone poles and the ultra large Transco in the back seems to be additions. Fail.And the Williams Tower in the background is several miles away, so that seems to support that this image has somehow been doctored to suggest all of this activity is taking place over a few linear blocks. Fail.My guess is that it was taken with a telephoto lens and then the landmarks were pasted back in to make the picture look somewhat believable. Fail again.Obviously this photo is altered to make us look cluttered, we all know Westheimer doesn't look like this. I agree maybe not photoshopped but rather a lens effect. Using an actual telephoto lens does not constitute "an effect" or being altered. Fail.The perspective has been altered. It's not a normal photo. Fail.I don't know any setting or perspective that will naturally produce that photo. Fail.Also taking the photo from a long way away with a zoom lens will flatten it out, making the Williams Tower as well as other buildings and telephone poles in the distance appear much closer than they really are. Winner.Additional winners: Subdude, Potsey99, Memebag, Tjones, TxDave, JMancuso Thanks for playing everyone !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flipper Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Taken today with with 400mm zoom lens from the Fondren intersection. Only difference I see is the Lazy Hollow sign has fallen or been relocated. You are obviously in cahoots with the trickster who photoshopped the original picture. I went by there a couple weeks ago but had a 50mm lens on and didn't bother. Nice investigative photography Highway6! flipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 You are obviously in cahoots with the trickster who photoshopped the original picture. Or it is the original picture and I'm just that damn good with PS.... guess we'll never know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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