Another bridge pic

[Steph_B]

Hello Steph,

I like both but I prefer the second one as the bridge is perfectly perpendicular to the viewer (plus I like the bridge lights).

Seb

Hi Seb,

I did have a tough time to decide which composition would work best. Most of the shot were taken with the pic #1 composition because I thought this would give more dynamics to the pic and thus it would not look so flat... But I was wrong. I changed the composition (pic #2) as an afterthought, and mainly to finish the film! I thought it would not work. I was wrong.

Thanks for your comment!

Cheers,

Steph.

[another view]

I'm going to go with the first shot here - I like the slightly off to the side position, it helps show depth. I also like the exposure better due to more available light. The clouds look great too.

The one thing that I don't like is the incomplete light trails of the headlights on the left. You can only get a shutter speed so long depending on available light - but if you used a two stop ND you might get it long enough. The lights on the bridge look nice being lit, but it still looks good without - but the two at the base of the bridge (on the columns) look much better lit. The thing I've run into is that by the time lights are on, the ambient exposure is so low that the feel of the shot is totally changed. Not always better or worse, just different. I think that the overall feel in the first shot more than makes up for the lights on the bridge though.

Glad to see you changed your title; it used to say something about how you're a newbie - that would be false advertising! It's pretty rare to see a skyline shot with a tilted horizon that works! Saw that one in Viewfinder but couldn't say anything about it in a no-words thread...!

[Steph_B]

The one thing that I don't like is the incomplete light trails of the headlights on the left. You can only get a shutter speed so long depending on available light - but if you used a two stop ND you might get it long enough.

Yeah (sigh!) I know! Disapointing, isn't it? The trick is to be there when traffic is flowing (which does not happen too often!).... and as you said, to have a long exposure. In that respect, I recently bought a 3 ND filter from Singh Ray. I am only waiting now to get it and go and try again. But I have been waiting for 1 month now and I will be leaving soon! I hope there will be still some opportunities. They recently charged my visa, so it should get here soon!

On the other hand,I just don't know how it is going to look like with bare trees. But then, the hills in the BG are covered with snow which might be quite nice! With a bit of high altitude clouds and the conditions will be just top-notch...

It's pretty rare to see a skyline shot with a tilted horizon that works! Saw that one in Viewfinder but couldn't say anything about it in a no-words thread...!

Is it working? Really? I was not too sure myself... Somehow I think that I should have tilted the horizon the other way to make the water flow towards the camera. Well, you made my day ! Thanks!

I also liked your follow up post and the moody rainy atmosphere. The colors are so warm and yet you can't help feeling cold and wet somehow. And the viewpoint makes the BG skyline menacing, almost alienating. This was a very good use of the portrait format.

[another view]

Is it working? Really?

Answer: Yes! I've never tried tilting the horizon on a skyline shot - I always do them on a tripod with a level to make sure they're straight, and never thought it would work. Then I saw your shot. Very cool. And thanks for the comment about my shot, it's from last year's gathering in Chicago. That day we had the typical heavy overcast grey skies and I experimented with white balance on digital to get that effect.

Back to your shot - I understand about waiting for the conditions to be right and you raise good ideas about the leaves on the trees. The thing I've noticed is that if I keep waiting, I never get any shot! ;) Can't remember gets credit for the quote, but something like "Chance favors the prepared mind". With that 3 ND and the right conditions, you'll have a killer shot.

[Nina]

I think the composition on both are fantastic. It's an usual bridge shot. I do prefer the upper shot though. The lights give the bridge more life and the angle is alot better. How'd you'd manage this shot anyway?

[Steph_B]

I think the composition on both are fantastic. It's an usual bridge shot. I do prefer the upper shot though. The lights give the bridge more life and the angle is alot better. How'd you'd manage this shot anyway?

Thanks Nina for your feedback. I also do prefer the brighter lights, even thought I think Paul is right and something in between would be better.

The exposure time was probably around 20-30 secs on Fuji Velvia 50. I think the key of this shot was the use of a split ND filter to tone down the sky. As a result, I could avoid getting the washed out colors that the sun-setting sky would have otherwise given me. The price I paid for this was a flare problem and a limited resolution.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Steph.