Clifton suspension bridge
Bristol
South-western England
Views
3626
Likes
Awards
Runner Up in Covers Photo Contest Vol 51
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 51
Contest Finalist in Night Wonders Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 50
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Virtuoso
Genius
Top Ranks
AnneDphotography
October 21, 2018
outstanding shot , wow love the glow of this beautiful suspension bridge and perfect title !!!!
MicktheGreek
October 21, 2018
Thank you, Anne! I had this landmark for long exposure in mind for a while and the moment arose yesterday...
sue-zon
October 22, 2018
Fabulous, Michael. Have been to this bridge (as my sister lives in Bristol!), but never even considered visiting it at night (not that I have a clue about night-time photography). This is just exquisite and SO exceptional!
MicktheGreek
October 29, 2018
Thanks Ana! No, I haven't changed... I am largely using the Canon 5D Mark IV (which is a great camera), but I had to add Nikon to the collection, because of their better dynamic range. The RAW file of this photo was pushed to the limit, as the image was intentionally underexposed. You notice that the exposure was only 3 seconds, which sounds too short for an almost pitch black scene. That was to preserve the highlights on the bridge and avoid hot spots. The camera I used is ISO-invariant, which gives you the extra latitude when pushing brightness in post-processing without adding extra noise. That's why I took the shot at ISO 100 (lowest front-end read noise of the camera) and pushed the RAW files afterwards. If I had used the same settings with my Canon 5D Mark IV, I would still get a good photo but at a price of added noise. If I had used my 6D Mark II, the noise in the shadows would have been right in my face. With most Canon cameras, the "Expose to the Right" (ETTR) principle applies in spades. Sony and Nikon allow you a bit more room when it comes to underexposing (accidentally or not) and recovering the image in post processing. I could write hours about noise and dynamic range, as I have experimented a lot on them myself, but it would get you bore out of your skull. I am hoping to get the time to write the white paper on the subject, but I just can't find it. If I do, I will email it to you.
lizziemellis
November 01, 2018
Wow ! excellent shot love the title Mick you really done this fabulous bridge justice:-)
reginaldgargaro67
November 02, 2018
this is a belter mick absolute spot on with the clarity love it :~))
MicktheGreek
November 29, 2018
Behold the Clifitn Suspension Bridge, Pamela! Thank you ever so much...
MicktheGreek
February 02, 2019
Thanks Daisy! I have only just seen this myself. I can't even remember what contests I submitted the photo to.
MicktheGreek
February 02, 2019
Thanks Ron! Glad this photo has had some recognition because it was hard work.
Dalecga
February 04, 2019
Congrat for being featured as a photo of the month finalist. Well deserved buddy.
MicktheGreek
February 04, 2019
Thanks Dale! I could never imagine the photo would be a finalist in three contest in three consecutive months. Miracles happen, LOL!
MicktheGreek
June 29, 2020
Thanks, Ruwan! It is indeed a remarkable landmark, here in the South West...
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a warm autumn night, atop the Clifton observatory, in Bristol, South-western England.Time
I was there for good three hours, but the very photo was taken at dusk, half-an-hour to an hour after the sun had dipped below the visible horizon and before the night spread its wings over the city and painted everything pitch-black.Lighting
Everything about the lighting of Clifton at night is worth sharing, in fact I am not even sure this photo does the scene any justice. There are some 3,000 Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) bulbs that illuminate the suspension chains of the bridge. Regardless of climatic/atmospheric conditions, they look like a diamond-sparkling arrangement, one hard to remain unnoticed. In the right weather, the sweeping view is completed by the city lights in the offing. It is a remarkable scene to behold and one that has been rightfully propelled to worldwide fame.Equipment
I deliberately switched form my user-friendly Canons to the Nikon D750, on account of its outstanding dynamic range which is a sine qua non for such contrasted landscape settings. I had a few prime lenses with me, the 28mm, 50mm and 85mm, of which it was the first that did the honour mostly during the session. My Manfrotto tripod was also put to good use.Inspiration
Despite being a photo fanatic and technology freak, it was history that took precedence on this occasion. I have written twice on the subject (in different circles) and given half a chance, time allowing, I would do it again. From concept to design and from design to construction, the Clifton Suspension Bridge story pack a diversity of facts and trivia that wouldn't fail to entrance the most history-indifferent ones. There are many notable, gigantic spanning structures strewn across the globe, mainly in famous metropolises, that this humble 214m one stands toe-to-toe with, both in historical perspective and splendour. This is a gem in the most cosmopolitan and guest-friendly city of Bristol. From the landscape photographer's point of view, on the other hand, if you don't try your luck with night/long exposure shots, there will be a time the subjects that have passed you by will be flashing in front of you.Editing
Certainly. I used RAW processing, as I always do, to adjust highlights and shadows. I would normally use bracketing for such scenes, but with the Nikon D750 boasting almost 15 stops of dynamic range and being totally ISO-invariant, a single shot did the trick. Trial-and-error is necessary here, the main reason being the strong highlights you don't want to blow into oblivion by overexposing. If you don't use bracketing, then slightly underexpose your photo and lift the shadows later.In my camera bag
Normally: A wide angle lens, such as the excellent 16-35mm Canon and its good counterpart of Nikon, a 50mm prime you can't go wrong with and a 70-200mm zoom one. Wide-angle primes such as 24mm are also quite light to carry. For similar scenes: Prime lenses, such as 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. A high MTF, wide aperture and good contrast are all needed in order to achieve optimal resolution. A tripod is always a welcome addition, despite the extra weight involved.Feedback
- Trial-and-error is necessary here, the main reason being the strong highlights you don't want to blow into oblivion by overexposing. If you don't use bracketing, then slightly underexpose your photo and lift the shadows later. - Be well aware of your camera's noise performance and dynamic range, in order to determine the optimal exposure settings needed to save your blushes in post-processing. There is a fine line to cross when you over(under) expose to avoid blown-out highlights or deep shadows and have enough latitude in the RAW processor. Failing that, you will often produce photos that look dull, unnatural and when really pushing the tone curves you will have noise coming out of your ears. - Remember: having a good camera helps, but ultimately it is the photographer that makes the difference.