These 3 views of the bridge were inspired by my friend Portelini's post of the same today.I have included a daytime shot at the end for anyone who doesn't know this place to see more how it looks.
It was January 1st 2005, I was driving back into the city along the river early evening. I saw the lit-up bridge from about 6 kms away and just had to stop. This was with a film camera. These were not the results. I needed my tripod, so went home and returned immediately with my neighbours. Just Ana, Alfredo, me & the black night, with the cold, white bridge. Pic. 1
Then I found myself climbing a small rise, all invisible inthe 100% darkness
.At the top, I discovered a strange tank half-full of water and........................................
there she was! A perfect reflection
on the untroubled surface of the still winter night.I thought I was imagining it, so I called out to Alfredo to get up there to see it too.
And these are the results.
I adore them, although I find them immensely cold, clinical.
Film; no playing around, no post-shot computer doctoring. Just knowing how to use an old, excellent camera on manual.
This, on the other hand, is digital,which for me, the colour betrays.Now, what do you think of Ponte Vasco da Gama on New Year's Night?
11 comments:
This is the kind of pics that have no problem, technically. And as a work of art: they're very, very good! I love them, and you're very sucessfull shooting at night. Congratulations. My best pics are the ones which require more sacrifice to shoot them...
you have a stunning eye for detail. i much prefer the night shots of the bridge. it shows off the architect's design. we have a similar looking bridge here but 'nowhere' near the length of Vasco de Gama.
thank you too for your kind comment on KLDP. hope you had/ are having a wonderful weekend.
What beautiful shots - I agree the night shots with film are much more interesting!
You're all very welcome, appreciate all the comments. Please call in again, like I will to you all! It's rediscovering (discovering) the world, that is far from all bad news, eh?
Mr P, what do mean by 'sacrifice'?
What I do mean by sacrifice is a part of my guidelines to photography:
1. In winter, get up early, before surise, so you can get the best light ever...it seems the colder, the better (light you get...it seems...).
2. Always carry your tripod so you can record some natuiral moves, like water falling, some trees blowing in the wind...
3. put yourself on your knees more frequently, so you can get things at their natural perspective...
4. Walk.. there are some places where you can't put your car!
This are just examples about sacrfice in photography...in a good sense, of course.
I am enjoying the way you master shapes, colors and light in many of your pictures.
Muchissimas gracias Carlos. Ironic about colour, just as I decide to do a spell of revisiting to black/white film! Mind you, they're colours too, right?
And Portelini, those things are NOT sacrifice. Every single one of them is good for you, even going on your knees as a sign of your humility (LOL)! I go everywhere with a pocket tripod these days. Makes me feel secure. The full size one has made me feel even more secure some nights!!
Hey, thanks for visiting. Coming to yours has proved a revelation - such good photography! The New Year's Bridge pics especially but the colours and tones of the others are fist class .A great blog - I'll be back.
i can't see the V da G photos, so I'll have to come back later....
I once drove a friend to the airport at dawn (very little else would get me out of bed at that time, I'm afraid) and V da Gama was stunning, ... obviously I'd left my camera at home. poop. next time next time.
Hello Neorelix, you are more than welcome. I am not a fully-paid up member of the World's Daily Photo team, but I'm starting to love it more & more. It's a beautiful club that actualy does some good on a daily basis AND is free.
I just wanted to tell you that re. colour & tone, we are blessed most of the time with a virtually incomparable intense luminosity, which the rolling generations of constructors of this city over the past 600 years have seemed to know how to utilise and harmonise with to the maximum. Add the flora, the natural landscape and you have a rare kind of photographer's-paradise. See you again!. Shame that so many Brit city planners & architects - where light is predominantly dominated by grey - couldn't have learned from that, instead of going in the opposite direction. We'd have, I nelieve, a much more secure, contented urban population, even if you can't stop the clouds & rain.....
Beautiful shots there :) great job....LOVE EM
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