Capture the Beauty of Downtown Arlington

by Viktor Villanueva

So much is possible in Downtown Arlington among the live shows at Levitt Pavilion, top notch retail stores, fully stocked bars and, of course, a smorgasbord of taste bud tickling restaurants. With all of these places to enjoy in the company of friends and family, all you have to do is get there to start having a memorable time. And nothing is greater at capturing these moments than a photograph.

These venues are owned and operated by Arlington’s very own. They’re your neighbors and your friends and they care about their patrons so much that they make it an attractive place to experience. I’ve used Arlington on numerous occasions as the setting for my photography. I’ve done most of the legwork, though it wasn’t very hard in a city rich with culture, to discover Downtown Arlington’s scenery as the stage for your own photographs.

This shot was on the north wall of Babe’s Chicken Dinner House. It’s covered in great textures, mixing nature, stones and brick.

Just two steps away a side entrance opens to this cozy room made up of glossy honey colored wood with just peeks of ivy seeping through.

This one is a gimmie. Everyone’s seen this beautiful retro double decker bus in front of Babe’s Chicken Dinner House. It’s just begging to be a part of your album.

You might recognize this spot. It’s Theatre Arlington from under the lights at the ticket booth.

These two are easy to spot. Train tracks are always a classic place to photograph, but always be aware of your surroundings and approach this scene with caution.

In the alley between Twisted Root and J. McIntyre Home there’s a great black and white mural with excellent typography. Another easy find for a great shot.

This one was shot just after I thought I had finished. After I called it a day, I decided to stop for a drink at Hooligan’s Pub, and the entrance/waiting area was perfectly lit by the sun approaching the horizon. The space had rustic furniture and paint that coincidentally matched nicely with my subject’s shirt.

I wasn't out long and had very little planned out, so with just under an hour, the shoot was fairly easy, and I’m pleased with the result.

As long as you’re looking, there’s always someplace or something to photograph. If you want to enjoy all that Arlington has to offer and spend time with those you love to be around, head downtown and you’ll find inspiration at every turn.

These are just a few suggestions, but if you would like to learn about more inspiring spots in Downtown Arlington, have suggestions of your own, or just want to share your experiences photographing downtown, leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

About the Blogger:

Viktor is a self-taught designer, photographer, illustrator, maker, typographer, bicycle mechanic, musician and father with a passion for combining handmade and digital. He is a Broadcasting and Journalism student at University of Texas at Arlington.