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Chicago L S Curve

Magical long exposure of the Chicago L going around the S Curve by Merchandise Mart

Magical long exposure of the Chicago L going around the S Curve by Merchandise Mart
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Chicago, Illinois, US

upload_date

Jun, 2022

Views

911

Likes

+161

Awards

Action Award

Chatter Award

Summer Views Award

Flawless Summer Award

Contest Finalist in Light Painter Photo Contest

Achievement in Originality

Zenith Award

People's Choice in S Curves Compositions Photo Contest

Staff Favorite

Halfway22 Award

Peer Award

+298

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Genius

Superior Skill

Emotions

Impressed

Happy

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photos is taken from the 7th floor of a parking deck next to Merchandise Mart near the Chicago Loop.

Time

It was in the parking garage and it was probably about 60 degrees. I was there for about an hour or so trying out different exposure lengths to get the perfect light trail. The train comes by about every 12 minutes so there was a lot of sitting and waiting! It was taken around 9pm

Lighting

This was one of my first ever attempts at long exposure photography. The main subject is the Chicago L train going by and the lights on the back dragging through the shot

Equipment

Camera: Sony A7III Lens: Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Tripod: Peak Design Carbon Fiber

Inspiration

I saw another photographer post a shot similar to this one and I realized that I had a friend that lived in the building that had the perfect vantage point. I had never done much long exposure but had messed around with some light painting so I thought it would be interesting to give it a shot with a train.

Editing

I did some basic adjustments in Lightroom CC. For this photo I really wanted an authentic warm feel from the orange street lights and ensure that the red and white lights from the train popped

In my camera bag

- Camera: Sony A7III - Lens: Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 & Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 Tripod: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Mavic Pro with extra batteries GoPro Hero 9 Osmo Mobile Gimbal Remote shutter release

Feedback

Set aside a few hours. The trains only run so often, so you’ll need to wait a decent amount of time between shots.

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chris_photo

Chicago L S Curve

Magical long exposure of the Chicago L going around the S Curve by Merchandise Mart

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow chris_photo

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