Tags
bracketed shots, city, clouds, CS5, field trip, freeway, HDR, images, lights, Melbourne, Nikon D300s, photography, Photomatix, Photos, Photoshop, postaday
When we first went out, we were going to photograph the freeway, that was the main reason for the field trip, but as we were heading to the boulevard, I could see some amazing lights hitting the city, so I suggested we stop there.
There was a beautiful sunset and it seemed like the right thing to do, to stop and see what we could get. The light was hard, with the bright light coming from the setting sun, and everything else was dark, so the only thing to do, well so it seemed, was to do some bracketed shots and do some HDR’s.
We were only here for a short time, but it is amazing how much the light changed in that time.
I am hoping that I am getting these in the right order, but I think you can see that more lights have come on in the buildings in the city, so it would be a fair bet that this one was taken after the last one. Of course, if I had any sense, I would do the HDR’s in the order I originally took the image, like I said, if I had any sense.
I love these images. I don’t know what it is about them. My husband said they had a futuristic look about them, I don’t know if that is true, but they have something.
The freeway lights have come on, and I know this was one of the last images I took. I don’t know which one is the best, you can help me decide. Please?
I have taken photos from this spot before, but the last time it was already dark and the images were just lights, much like the ones I showed earlier today. I like the clouds behind these.
As I already said, they are all HDR’s, with 7 bracketed shots. I used Photomatix to process the HDR’s and then did post editing with Photoshop CS5.
I wasn’t going to show this, but I like the city in this one and the lighting was similar to the other one. What do you think?
Perhaps another day I will show some more, but that is enough for today. Two posts in one day for me. Unusual, but don’t expect it too often. Sometimes, I just have too many photos to show.
Great set of images, I really love the last one to be honest. You captured the light trails perfectly and the city lights in the background lead the eye right into the image. Excellent!
I almost didn’t put that image in. Thought the first three might be enough and was going to wait for another day, but I couldn’t wait and had to show it. Looks like it was a good decision. Thanks for your input, love it when people tell me what they think.
I really like the last photo too, and completely agree with Aaron. Of the top 3 though I like the middle one best – perhaps its the third, third, third composition.
Haha, you sound like me, can’t quite decide which one you like best. I do love the freeway one as well. Was really surprised I got one like that. I thought the sun had gone down too much.
I like the last 3 of the 4 you posted. The second looks and feels like a mist permeating the lower part of the buildings, very eerie and dreamy. The lights are beautiful in the 3rd and the last just adds more juice to an already great lighting in the background.
I hadn’t noticed that about the 2nd one, you’re right. I agree with you about the images. It is hard to pick just one. Thanks for telling me your thoughts.
I love the 3rd one, with the streetlights hanging like glowing orbs between the buildings…The one with the light trails (Last) is in a catagory by itself; a great capture.
Shooting at sunrise or sunset is so much fun. In a span of 15 minutes, you can dozens of completely different photos from exactly the same spot!
Those streetlights are the lights that go along the freeway, you can see them in the last photo. It was a stroke of luck that they came on when they did, we were just about to leave. The freeway one is really nice, I almost wasn’t going to take photos there, and just help the other two, but decided that while I was there I may as well have a go.
It is amazing how quickly the light can change at each end of the day. You can get so many different images all taken so closely together. It is great.
Love these images Leanne – they really belong on postcards – or as a series of small framed pictures you would hang up as a set.
Thanks Colline, I don’t know about the postcards, but would be nice to see what they look like when they are printed. Might try the last one.
Great blog! Love the strong colors and contrasts.
And thanks for the likes and follow!
Thank you and you are really welcome, I’m happy to follow and see what you do.
They are all beautiful but the first and last should be in a magazine featuring the city. Have you contacted the tourist department?
No, I have’t contacted anyone, but thought I might see about getting some advertising from them for my field trips. Time, I need to build this up a bit more.
Oh my, I really like all of them, but the third one with the lights is maybe my favorite.
That seems to be one of the favourites, along with the last one. It is so interesting seeing which ones people prefer, it is never what you think it will be.
Well done on 2 posts in 1 day Leanne!!!
I love your last photo… although I have never tried it (on purpose…), I have always found car-light photos fascinating!!! Each one is different!!! 
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Yes, it is strange doing 2, don’t think I will do it too often, though am off to Aireys Inlet again next weekend for a photography weekend, so might do a couple on Saturday, who knows.
I love car light trails, they can help with night photography a ot and add a new element to an image. Not terribly hard to do. Yes, the traffic is always different, so each image can be quite different.
I love the last one like many others who commented too. Is this the eastern freeway coming into the city?
I think the sky really helps with that one, though it was dark when we got there. Yes, it is the eastern freeway, how did you know that?
More light in the sky definitely helps with that one. I’ve been down that freeway plenty of times so it looks familiar.
I agree. So you are from Melbourne? It is the freeway we use all the time.
These are incredible
Don’t know about that, but thank you.
I agree with your husband – there is something futuristic about these images. I absolutely love the first one, with the last one coming a very close second.