QUIZ: What Is Responsible For The Lightbeam?

[gvf]

OK, this is a quiz: The following is a well-known view of London. Whether you've been there or seen shots, you'd seldom see the scene with the light-beam on Parliament (near viewer's left).

So, the question is: what is responsible for the rare light, it's source?

ONLY RULE: Have to use this view, don't blow it up, that's cheating...

If there's any interest in this: I'll post the answer in a day or so.

.......35mm film

http://finnegan.smugmug.com/photos/22634427_8Xccx-L-3.jpg

[eL eSs Vee]

Powerful (five candlepower) spotlights attached to hot air balloons while constables searched for Guy Fawkes. :D

Or the modern-day equivalent.

[thoth]

This is, without a doubt, the becon used to summon Batgent and his trusty ward, Batlad.

Or, I'll agree with Lee, in a round about way, that it's a searchlight from a helicopter. :D

[TonyCooper]

<So, the question is: what is responsible for the rare light, it's source?>


That's the light at the end of the tunnel...November 20, 1990.

[Jathnael]

I was standing on the top of the wall, and took my shirt off.
The light beam is a reflection off me.

[gvf]

Powerful (five candlepower) spotlights attached to hot air balloons while constables searched for Guy Fawkes. :D
Yes, EXACTLY ! How did you spot it so quick!

No, of course not -- not Guy.

(I admire all the posters' humor, and refusal to take this earth-shattering question seriously.)

No so far, not close, no helicopter, no one's chest, Batman was in LA that day so that doesn't explain it. So, not that I think there's great fascination with the answer, but I'll give a good hint: the shot was taken with 35 film - and that is of high significance to knowing the source of the light beam.
Now figuring out the puzzle is a snap.

OK, OK, can't all talk at once! One person at a time:

[Malte]

...the shot was taken with 35 film - and that is of high significance to knowing the source of the light beam...



Some sort of double exposure?

Malte

[gvf]

Some sort of double exposure?

Nope; (good logical try though).

[thoth]

Light from the viewfinder?

[angevin1]

SB800 on Manual Full power from the top of the London Eye!:D

Blimp?

[Art Scott]

light leak ............

[Angelo]

hmmmmmmm... one light source emanating from Parliament building, reflecting off "The Eye" back at the building?

[gvf]

No, none of these explanations - but I love the interest from all over the world, so one last hint and then I reveal Sunday (tomorrow 8/23) at some point, the actual explanation of the lightbeam.

Last Hint: Not only is the source of the lightbeam intimately connected to it's being a 35mm film camera that shot it, but it would be impossible for this exact lightbeam to exist on any pictorial representation of the scene other than this type of camera. In other words, what about the camera's type makes it the only one that could record such an event.

--O my GOD! It's so EASY now, I blew it with such an obvious hint.--

AND, I'll make it even EASIER: you all have a household appliance that is used in relationship to similar events/situations and use it regularly.

--How could I be such a FOOL to give it away like this.... --

By the way, the winner of this contest will get a photo of Abraham Lincoln, never, ever before seen in the thousands and thousands of pages of information and libraries upon libraries about the former President.

I don't have to tell you the value....

[adbsgicom]

It looks like the beam of light doesn't line up with the bright spot on the building. Is it light flare from cracking the back of the camera open just a tad before you rewound the film?

[gvf]

It looks like the beam of light doesn't line up with the bright spot on the building. Is it light flare from cracking the back of the camera open just a tad before you rewound the film?

No, but this is a brilliant failed attempt - Bravo!!
(gvf, OP and Quizmaster)

[thoth]

High-speed shot of a parliament on a CRT televesion screen and the light beam is from the electron gun? :D

[gvf]

High-speed shot of a parliament on a CRT televesion screen and the light beam is from the electron gun?

No, but you should get an award for thinking this up. Bravo!
(gvf, OP and King of Quizzes)

[leaforte]

A UV, or heavy metal, paint reflection that was picked up by a an IR filter or camera?

[gvf]

A UV, or heavy metal, paint reflection that was picked up by a an IR filter or camera?

My God, an Astro-Phyicist! No, no, no, no, no...... simpler, simpler, simpler------though, Bravo!, for the science-knowledge.

(and those who wear tin-foil hats can relax, no Black Hawk helicopters were involved)

[adbsgicom]

There also seems to be faint red arc in the sky, light part of a rainbow. I don't know if that helps anyone, or is just useless information. I'm still stumped.

[hgernhardtjr]

Light reflecting off a worn/shiny shutter curtain producing the diagonal flares — or an object moving at just the right speed to interact with a longish shutter speed producing the diagonal lines as the curtains traversed the scene. While most cameras have vertical shutters, many older ones had horizontal ones and a few even had diagonal ones. And many of the older ones were metal that got a bit of wear.

[gvf]

Light reflecting off a worn/shiny shutter curtain

Sherlock Holmes couldn't do better, so Bravo! but no..... sorry

And Andrew's "Rainbow" likewise but also no cigar.

The clock is ticking and the hands move towards midnight, the very witching time of night when churchyards yawn and Hell itelf...
Woops!, that Shakespeare, sorry... the building tension is getting to me...

But don't be Cinderella, you can get it...On, On!
(gvf/King of Answers)

[gvf]

OP: The answer is now posted.