'53
A '53 Chevrolet Belair competes for attention with the dreamy summer sunset in Melbourne
A '53 Chevrolet Belair competes for attention with the dreamy summer sunset in Melbourne
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Feb, 2015Views
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
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Top 10 rank
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken at the most popular beach in Melbourne Australia, St Kilda beach. It is the closest main beach to the city itself and a much frequented place by tourists - and locals. I was standing in the middle of the road trying not to get run over by passing traffic.Time
Right on sunset, around 8.00pm on a summers day. Having daylight savings in this part of the world gives you lots of time in the evening to wander around looking for photo opportunities.Lighting
No extra lighting was used. Just the ambient light of the sun on the horizon to the right of the photo. In the golden hour range so the colours were changing every few minutes. So I wanted to get that purple hazy look, but I also had to time my shot as people were walking behind the car constantly.Equipment
My Nikon D3200 with standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5 kit lens. I had no time to set up a tripod, because of the diminishing light - and the distinct possibility of being hit by a bus.Inspiration
The car itself - it is a classic and was in such great condition. I was walking along looking out towards the sunset for a vantage point to capture the scene, when I spotted this Chevrolet. There aren't many Chevy's in Australia so it really stood out, and I knew straight away the colour would match the sky at that moment. So I quickly ran on the road, tried a few different angles, plonked on one knee and grabbed this shot.Editing
I always process with Lightroom. So I checked white balance, removed a few lens spots, and slightly enhanced the exposure of the car itself with a radial gradient. I was lucky the overall colours blended nicely straight out of the camera. But then, as the saying goes - the harder I practice the luckier I get.In my camera bag
My trusty back-pack has the D3200, 18-55mm, 55-200mm, Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G. A few polariser filters, graduated ND filter, cleaning gear, torch, wireless remote, Gorilla tripod, a beanie to cover my bald head in cold weather, and a partridge in a pear tree.Feedback
Explore, and look behind you. Just grab your camera and go somewhere, anywhere and just walk. Go back to favourite haunts over and over and keep your eyes open. This was a place I had been 50 times before, but only once did I see this car. And I only noticed it because I looked behind me. Open your mind's eye and be ready. And sometimes - stop the traffic, smile at the people staring at you, and get the shot(s) you want. It's worth it when you get home and open that image on your screen - and be amazed at what you and your camera have captured. One thing I am learning is to view my photos and compare what I saw with my own eyes. The camera sees things differently, especially at night - study it.
