christopherpayne
FollowPassing through Del Mar, California
Passing through Del Mar, California
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Our World At Night Photo Contest
People's Choice in Painting With Light Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Painting With Light Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Diagonal Shapes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Long Exposure Games Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Composing with Diagonals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shutter Games Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in My Evening Walk Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Coastal Landscapes Photo Contest
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akhtarkhan
May 09, 2014
Wonderful leading traffic lights trails in straight lines in diagonal view in the frame. Fantastic low lighting and long exposure effect in the clouds. Great capture. Congrats on the feature
amanavinash
September 01, 2017
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Del Mar, California, which is just a little bit north up the coast from San Diego, CaliforniaTime
This was taken in the late evening hours, approximately 45 mins or so after sunset.Lighting
This time of day is popularly considered the "blue hour" which is about an hour's worth of time after the sun has set, and you can see why they call it that. You get very rich and beautiful blue colors from the sky (and in this case, also the water). The sun had set off the the right, and you can see the waning blue sky light peeking through the clouds on the right. On the left you can see the city lights spilling into the sky above the horizon.Equipment
For this shot I used a Canon 5D Mark III camera body, and the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens (set at 16mm F/8 ISO 200 and an exposure time of 30 seconds for the main shot?), and a standard tripod with ball head attached. No flash was used on this shot. I actually never use flash in my photos. Using just the available light makes for much richer and more beautiful photos, in my opinion.Inspiration
This is such a beautiful place with the coastline, and the angle the train takes, passing through. I do a lot of night photography and knew this would be a great chance to get some light streaking shots, but with a train instead of the usual autos. Frankly, I'm surprised I hadn't really seen anyone try this before (though I'm sure someone has). I love finding places that many others might have been to take photos, and then try to come away with at least one shot that most wouldn't have taken. It makes for a good challenge and keeps me always wanting to go out and take more photos.Editing
Yes, there was a fair amount of post processing in this! First, you should know that this was taken using 5 bracketed photos. In short, you take one shot exposed properly for the scene (in this case, while the train was going by), and then two shots under-exposed to different levels, and two shots over-exposed (with no train going through). In the properly exposed shot, you get most of what you need, but it causes some of the lighter portions of the photo to be overexposed (blown out), and the darker portions to be so dark that you lose all detail. You blend in from the underexposed and overexposed photos in places where the lights are blown out too much and to bring out the dark areas. Sometimes these bracketed photos can be run through various different HDR software programs, to help speed up the process and create a number of interesting effects. However, much of the time I prefer to blend the images myself. The trick to using HDR software on images like this, is to not over do it. an HDR program should enhance an already beautiful photo and, in my opinion, not be leaned on for wild crazy effects which, most times make the photo very unrealistic and unflattering.In my camera bag
I normally carry a camera backpack/bag with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II IS USM lens, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM lens, Canon - EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens, various variable ND filters, remote shutter releases, 2 32gb 500x CF cards, 2 16gb 500x CF cards, 2 64gb Ultra High Speed SD cards in case I need backup of photos, 6 batteries for the 5D Mark III, a typical tripod with ball head mount, A Joby Gorillapod Focus, and business cards! Seriously, NEVER go out without business cards. You cannot predict when your next customer will approach you and want a card, and if you don't have it then you won't likely ever see them again.Feedback
Never be satisfied with a "cool" looking shot. Ask yourself "Is this a shot I would take notice of, and be impressed by?". If the answer is at least a "maybe", then take the shot...get the best one you can in the right lighting and the best framing, and then begin looking for something better. I regularly spend hours upon hours in location before finding the exact right lighting conditions combined with the right framing of the subject...and you just know know until you "see it"....so be patient and always have your eyes open for "that moment" where you just know this is the shot you want.