Happy Birthday

[Skyman]

One of Sydney's most over photographed icons was unveiled 35 years ago today.

[shootme]

Nice to see the home country every now and then. Sydney harbor a great place to take all sorts of shots. Can't ever over shoot an object, there is always another angle or a slightly different shade of light.

[Skyman]

Personally I prefer her at night, but I don't have my archives with me at work so I can't post a night pic and you are correct about different lighting etc. These days to save money the concourse area of the Opera House isn't lit as brightly as the sails, which makes it terribly difficult to get a balanced exposure. Add to this that Sydney Harbour foreshore Authority assumes anyone with a tripod is a professional and so can't take pictures without a very expensive permit and lots of public liability insurance and The sails are getting harder to get a good shot off.

[another view]

You know, this is one of those buildings that's such an icon that I had never thought about how old it might be. The Pentagon here in the US was another - just never gave its age much thought. And now I know!

Interesting about reducing their electric bills - I wonder if there is maybe an occasional huge event where everything is lit as bright as it used to be, might be easier on a night like that. Of course it'd be my luck that it would rain. And then I'd imagine security would be even higher... Sigh.

[Skyman]

yes on big event nights she is lit a little better, but the crowds around the harbour make it harder to get a good shot. on really special occasions they project lightshows onto her. That makes for a truly spectacular photo! I promise I will go through the archives and find something a bit better to post.

[shootme]

Thanks for providing additional info Skyman, good to know.

[Skyman]

As promised a few more pictures. the blue one actually dates back to the 2000 olympic games. The first time colored lights were shone on her (to my knowledge anyway) I have hundred more of her

[Lori11]

Beautiful! I love the second shot. Thanks, I learned something too!

[Skyman]

Thanks, The shot with the blue projected was back when I was still learning and using film so it is a little underexposed and if did it today I wouldn't have used the cross screen filter!
The second shot (taken at dusk) was from a night when I was showing some visitors the city. I wasn't planning to take photos of the harbour so I had my camera but no tripod so it was the best I could get at the time, using the railing on the seawall to steady my arms. The third photo was taken on a Ferry going to Fort Denison for breakfast (if you are visiting the city the national parks puts on the breakfast tours and they are definately worth it!) That last shot was an afterthought. I took a friend out to photograph the city at night (as they had never done that before) and whilst they were madly snapping away I got bored and snapped that one. The original has a lot more to the bottom and left of the shot. There is a man sitting on the sea wall fishing, but I cropped him out for this post as the focus is on the Opera House. Oh and the top shot was from early this year. I needed to make a film welcoming people to Sydney and didn't have the time to go and spend the hours videoing so I left work early and went for a walk along the Harbour. The light was fantastic, but I had a really challenging list of shots to get. The Harbour, The Bridge, The opera house, Centrepoint tower, some transport and transit photos (train stations ferries and the like) and I left it a little later than I should. I was just about to give up on the harbour and head up towards the business district to capture the office workers leaving for the day and I cast my eye over my shoulder and fell in love with the light golden light spilling on the sails. I really wish I had the time to stay until dark and document the transition that night.

Incidentally I have been in her a couple of times for various shows and concerts and it is a sight to behold, especially the acousitc "doughnuts" that can be raised or lowered to improve the quality of the sound to the performers and trust me having had several family members perform there the doughnuts do make a difference. I don't have photos from inside as it is quite difficult to get permission to photograph anything inside the building, especially if you are there for a concert.

Once again Happy Birthday to one of Sydney's great Icons!

[shootme]

I like all the shots, I particularly like the texture on the sails of the first and the calmness of the sea of the last.