Mirage and the Moon
Loved this juxtaposition.
Mirage volcano
The Mirage has a volcano out front that erupts every so often.
Mirage volcano
The combination of firey-colored lights, water and occasional flame bursts heighten the realism.
Mirage volcano
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Mirage volcano
I learned that a piña colada aroma is pumped into this vicinity to mask the propane smell generated by the fireball mechanics.
Mirage volcano
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Mirage volcano
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Treasure Island skull rock
This rock "carving" is out front of the Treasure Island hotel. You can just make out the bow of a pirate ship on the right which moves around toward the entrance of the hotel several times a day where a pirate battle is acted out.
Treasure Island pirate battle
I was in a pretty bad spot for photos of the show.
Treasure Island pirate battle
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Treasure Island pirate battle
Sure wouldn't want to be those actors near the fireballs.
Treasure Island pirate battle
See the guy swinging around the port side of the ship?
Treasure Island pirate battle
This photo doesn't really show it too well, but the other ship, which loses the battle, actually sinks.
Treasure Island pirate battle
One last shot of the triumphant ship.
Treasure Island pirate battle
The "loser" ship after it has raised up out of the water, resetting for the next show.
The Venetian
The Venetian, as seen from Treasure Island as I was leaving the pirate show.
The Strip, looking north
Crossing over a bridge, headed toward The Venetian, I took a shot north. You can see the Stardust hotel on the left and the Stratosphere in the distance—the one with the roller coaster and Big-Shot ride. The UFO-like structure is an unfinished construction in front of the Fashion Show Mall which is under expansion.
The Strip, looking south
Looking south from the pedestrian bridge, you see The Venetian and Harrah's on the left and The Mirage on the right. In the distance, you can just make out the sign for Caesars Palace.
The Venetian
The Venetian. One of my favorite hotel shots during this trip.
Venetian ceiling
Inside The Venetian's lobby.
Venetian ceiling
Reverse angle. Why didn't they paint this so that it was right side up when you first walked in?
Indoor shopping
A shopping section inside The Venetian. Yes, this is actually indoors!
Indoor shopping
The illusion was quite convincing.
Venetian plaza
A simulated outdoor plaza. In the bottom right, you'll see a guy serenading the room with his guitar.
Venetian hallway
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Venetian hallway
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Venetian exterior
Another of my favorite hotel shots.
Caesars Palace
Celine Dion performs a regular schedule at Caesars Palace. As was pointed out to me, note that there is no apostrophe in this hotel's name. You figure it out.
Sculpture inside Caesars Palace
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Caesars Palace
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Caesars Palace
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Caesars Palace
A stretch hummer paused in front of Caesars Palace long enough for me to squeeze of this poorly composed shot. First time I'd ever seen such a thing.
The Parisian
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The Parisian
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The Parisian
I believe this is actually the very first picture I took when I got to Vegas. It just made sense to relocate it to this order.
Fountains of Bellagio
The beginning of the Fountains of Bellagio show. The photos simply don't do it justice.
Fountains of Bellagio
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Fountains of Bellagio
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Fountains of Bellagio
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Fountains of Bellagio
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Fountains of Bellagio
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Fountains of Bellagio
A video of the finale for the show we saw, the last chorus of God Bless the USA.
Mandalay Bay
Came here for a Final Cut Pro User Group event.
Luxor
Inside The Luxor. The elevators are actually called inclinators and go up each of the four edges.
Luxor
Intricate Egyptian artwork in the lobby.
Luxor
Attractions inside the hotel.
Luxor
Hieroglyphics on the tower randomly lit up with fiber optic lighting.
Luxor
This angle shows how each floor juts out past each hallway beneath.
Luxor
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Luxor
I had taken two shots from the front of The Luxor at different exposures. HDR photography really wasn't a "thing" back in 2003 like it is today. This shot was exposed for the brightly lit sphynx in front…
Luxor
…and this shot was exposed for the black surface of the pyramid hotel. Several airport searchlights blaze upward from the tip.
Luxor Blended Exposure
Not too bad for primitive 2003 software and inexperience.
MGM Grand
The third of my favorite hotel photos.
New York, New York
A close-knit depiction of the same-named skyline…
New York, New York
…complete with a roller coaster and a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty…
New York, New York
…as well as a reproduction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
New York, New York
Another angle of the bridge.
Plaza Hotel
This last hotel wasn't necessarily on my list. It's located at the west end of the Fremont Street Experience. I shot it because it's the hotel which served (after some digital redressing) as Biff's hotel during the alternate timeline in Back To the Future part 2.
