overpasses

[greenpea]

Lately it seems like the only time I've been able to get out and take pictures is in the wee hours before work, and I've been using this time along with the fact I'm in a large(-ish) city to get some long exposures from some freeway overpasses.

#1
http://initialphotography.smugmug.com/photos/412719843_cqCFz-L-1.jpg

#2
http://initialphotography.smugmug.com/photos/403730648_6mQxv-L-2.jpg

#3 This one was interesting because there was a large fire in city (smoke in the background) and the lines in the sky are the numerous news helicopters.
http://initialphotography.smugmug.com/photos/403731938_Jj8QM-L-2.jpg

#4
http://initialphotography.smugmug.com/photos/418359832_9h5mx-L.jpg

[summerz]

Nice shots.:thumb Thanks.

[greenpea]

Nice shots.:thumb Thanks.

Thanks summerz!

[schmoo]

Hey Andrew, I love the second. The lines of the freeway frame the background buildings so well. You're a trooper for getting up so early for photography on a regular day :huh

[david-low]

I like #1 for its defined lines and soothing streaks, the other 3 shots appears to have too much blown highlights.

[greenpea]

Hey Andrew, I love the second. The lines of the freeway frame the background buildings so well. You're a trooper for getting up so early for photography on a regular day :huh

Thanks schmoo! Turns out its a lot easier to photograph rush hour traffic on work days :D, however it does require a couple extra cups of coffee to survive the day.

I like #1 for its defined lines and soothing streaks, the other 3 shots appears to have too much blown highlights.

I'd have to agree with you david-low. It turns out to be a weird flip-flop of the old overexposed sunset/sunrise problem, nexttime I might try a grad ND upside down. #2 and #3 were from different locations on the same overpass and were especially difficult, I kept getting lens flare from oncoming car headlights, that was something I totally didn't expect.

[david-low]

Alternatively, you can use a black card which I occasionally use. Its cheap and easy to manipulate. Applicable to those half skyline and half traffic.

[shniks]

Lately it seems like the only time I've been able to get out and take pictures is in the wee hours before work, and I've been using this time along with the fact I'm in a large(-ish) city to get some long exposures from some freeway overpasses.




I like the first shot a lot. Great job...

[greenpea]

Alternatively, you can use a black card which I occasionally use. Its cheap and easy to manipulate. Applicable to those half skyline and half traffic.

Not sure I have ever heard of a black card. :scratch What is it and how does it work?

I like the first shot a lot. Great job...

Thanks!

[david-low]

Not sure I have ever heard of a black card. :scratch What is it and how does it work?
Cut from a black cardboard say 4”x 4” square. During exposure (set to bulb) as in your #3 where the car lights were over exposed, place the black card about 1” to 2 “ infront of the lens to your LEFT tilting 45% so as to allow less light coming into the camera. In between exposure, lift out blackcard intermittently. Most importantly, hover card slightly to left and right so as to avoid a distinct line. The end result could be quite natural with practice.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
But these days with PP, results could be achieved using HDR (stacking several layers of under and over exposed pic together). <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Check out by gallery “Cable Car Lights” http://davidlow.smugmug.com/gallery/2904855_qkztj (http://davidlow.smugmug.com/gallery/2904855_qkztj)

where black card was used in a different manner splitting the continuous streaks of lights into “blocks”. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Hope it helps.<o:p></o:p>

[glennp]

Like these a lot. On my commute in to the city each day I have thought about getting up just a tad earlier and taking some pics. Well you may have inspired me to do so.

Thanks,

glenn

[greenpea]

Cut from a black cardboard say 4”x 4” square. During exposure (set to bulb) as in your #3 where the car lights were over exposed, place the black card about 1” to 2 “ infront of the lens to your LEFT tilting 45% so as to allow less light coming into the camera. In between exposure, lift out blackcard intermittently. Most importantly, hover card slightly to left and right so as to avoid a distinct line. The end result could be quite natural with practice.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
But these days with PP, results could be achieved using HDR (stacking several layers of under and over exposed pic together). <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Check out by gallery “Cable Car Lights” http://davidlow.smugmug.com/gallery/2904855_qkztj (http://davidlow.smugmug.com/gallery/2904855_qkztj)

where black card was used in a different manner splitting the continuous streaks of lights into “blocks”. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Hope it helps.<o:p></o:p>


Very cool, thanks for the tip!

[greenpea]

Like these a lot. On my commute in to the city each day I have thought about getting up just a tad earlier and taking some pics. Well you may have inspired me to do so.

Thanks,

glenn

It took me 3 years of looking at this scene during my commute to work and imagining the photo before I was to actually get myself out of bed early enough to be able to pull this off. :rofl