Belmont Park Rollercoaster-At Night

[Coastal Flyer]

Another perfect night in SD, too good to be indoors. I haven't tried night photography in a while and thought this would be a good subject. This is one shot, no Photoshop manipulation. The only post processing is a bit of contrast and one notch of sharpening. The trees are highlighted by a flash. Hope you like it.

CF

[Ron Kruger]

I love it. Lighting the tree with flash really made it more interesting. I would never have thought of that.

[Coastal Flyer]

Thanks, Ron. I appreciate you leaving a comment.

David

[LeeIs]

Hey David, It's very surreal and I like how the flash lit up the trees.

[danic]

CF,

It seems as if the tree's don't quite fit the photo. They do seem surreal, but not too sure if it's a good thing or bad thing. They seem to belong somewhere else.

[Coastal Flyer]

Leels/Danic:

Thanks both for your comments. I agree, the edge to the trees are a different feel than the warmer/natural tone of the roller coaster. Perhaps even out of place. Personally, what engages me is, this is what came out of the camera; how can such different textures be produced in the same exposer? For me, it is why I love photography so much. Thanks again.

David

[Grandpaw]

I agree with Danic about the trees. Is it possible to show us this shot without the sharpening on the tree, Jeff

[Coastal Flyer]

Grandpa,

Thanks for the message. Here is the shot without the sharpening, just resized for posting.

CF

[Hexnut]

Boy do i miss mission beach. Hodads in OB too. Great pic.

[GB1]

Hmm CF.. I know exactly the field you shot this in. I guess it was a shortish shot since the people didnt blur. I don't know about those trees in the foreground, they seem unnaturally bright. That in itself isn't necessarily bad but I think I'd like them better if they were warmer - they are so monochromatic that they almost see digitally inserted in PP.

Btw, I run by this rollercoaster every Sunday on a long run. I once tried getting some shots of it from inside the little park just before it closed, and their employees said that this was unauthorized.

G

[Coastal Flyer]

GB:

Thanks very much for leaving a comment. I absolutely agree with you, the trees do look out of place. Isn't it interesting though how two different effects can come out of one image? Funny that Belmont Park employees would take that position on photographing the rollercoaster. I walked through the Park and saw a photography club on a night shoot. There must have been 30 photographers with tripods taking pictures of the rollercoast from inside the Park. They didn't seem to be having any trouble. Thanks for the heads up, however.

David

[Grandpaw]

Grandpa,

Thanks for the message. Here is the shot without the sharpening, just resized for posting.

CF

Thanks for taking the time to let me see the original. I just can't figure out those trees, Jeff