Gone In The Blink Of An Eye, a photo from New South Wales, East

Photographer's Note

This is the Pyrmont Bridge in Sydney's Darling Harbour. You can see the Sydney Central Business District in the background and the whoosh of light is the Sydney Monorail. In June 2013, our monorail, which linked Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the Business and Shopping Districts will close forever and the track taken down. The Monorail has been with us since May 1988. It's main problem was that it was never really used much, it being far easier to walk than pay the high price of a ticket. Anyway, it's a little sad to see it go, even if it was never the most practical form of public transport in Sydney. Farewell monorail, thanks for the memories!

Canon 5D MkII
f/18
13 seconds
ISO 200
17mm using 17-40mm lens
Tripod

ikeharel, ikeharel, bayno, Kofman, timecapturer, CLODO, snunney, ourania, photoray, No_One, ktanska, williewhistler, worldcitizen, SnapRJW, krzychu30, Royaldevon, Sonata11, adores, mirosu, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jjcordier (79299) 2013-01-18 22:14

Lisa
Cette technologie n'a jamais vraiment perc閑 mais, au moins, elle t'a permis de r閍liser une tr鑣 bonne photographie � l'heure bleue....que j'aurais peut-阾re essay� de redresser un peu quand m阭e?
Amicalement
JJ

macjake (97990) 2013-01-18 22:38

Hey lisa
Now this is a shot!!! But talk about poor city planning too. For obvious reasons the photo stands out so well. Wickedly cool blue hour with the speeding lights, and the bg subjects are equally interesting. Loving this one. Good on ya to deliver something different!
Cheers
Craig

Romano46 (18472) 2013-01-19 0:07

Ciao Lisa,
complimentiper questo scatto nato da una tua bella idea e per averlo realizzato in maniera ottimale.
Tutto � perfetto. Ottima la nitidezza, la composizione ed il colore. La scia sul ponte aggiunge quel tocco in pi� che rende la foto degna di lode.
Ciao e Buon fine settimana
Romano

Silvio1953 (216893) 2013-01-19 0:32

Ciao Lisa, anche se il soggetto � statico la tua foto trasmette una grande sensazione di velocit�, magnifica ora blu con fantastica vista di Sidney, bellissima la diagonale del ponte, perfetta esposizione, bravissima, buon week end, un caro abbraccio Silvio

MJR (3360) 2013-01-19 0:51

Lisa, Hi,

It has to be a killer shot to stir me from my recent and severe reticence !
I dont know when I last saw a photo that really stirred me, but this does. ( dont get me wrong, there are skads of good photos posted, its just this has a little sprinkle of pixie dust for sure ! )
The composition and cropping makes it fill the frame just so, the competing angles, the mysterious glow from the train - all make a wonderful image. And of course, in this particular case, a record of a passing scene to be really proud of.
Hope all is well down south, (and slightly east, or is that west ?! ), apart from the excessive heat, the fires and so on !

best of wishes
Martin

bayno (18348) 2013-01-19 1:55

Ciao Lisa,
scatto di straordinaria nitidezza, stupendi i colori e la luce e una bella diagonale del ponte a tagliare il quadro...c'� anche l'effetto del movimento dato dalle macchine di passaggio...ottimo lavoro...
buon WE...
Valter

yquem46 (38752) 2013-01-19 1:59

Ciao Lisa
Splendid urban architecture at blue hour
Top notch definition and clarity of colors, clever compo
Bravo, have a nice WE
Patrick

timecapturer (49288) 2013-01-19 2:56

Hi Lisa
top marks for originality and technique here. A real sense of speed and set against an immaculately sharp vista of downtown highrise offices. Like this a lot, it gives us a real idea of the character and atmsophere of Sydney. Wonderful!

Enjoy the weekend - regards Brian.

CLODO (45116) 2013-01-19 3:08

Hi Lisa

the long exposure makes the monorail transparent and the flags blurred. I like the energy of this shot mainly due to the diagonal line, taken at the blue hour, the use of the wide angle distorting the sky scrappers.
Spend a good WE
CLODO

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-01-19 3:16

Ciao Lisa!
Wow!
That's cool! The effect of that moving monorail is great!
I love that!
Colors, chosen pov and composition pleased me a lot too!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

lousat (136539) 2013-01-19 4:01

Ciao Lisa,prospettiva differente e molto originale in uno dei tuoi orari preferiti,bellissime geometrie e non manca l'effetto seta che invece dell'acqua,si e' creato sulle bandiere rosse! Buon weekend e complimenti,Luciano

ikeharel (111109) 2013-01-19 4:09

Hi Lisa,
Maybe a slower than 13sec. exp. would show the Monorail with more details, but the compo. looks fabulous as taken.
City lights on buildings and under the bridge are in great clarity.
Red/yellow/green colors contrast the blue(hour).
Enjoy a nice weekend,
Ike

snunney (130967) 2013-01-19 4:39

Ciao Lisa,
A superb blue hour urban landscape. Pin sharp clarity and a lovely range of tones. Another example of weak minded transport planning with the tax payers having to foot the bill?

ourania (51103) 2013-01-19 5:08

Ciao cara Lisa,
un' immagine davvero fantastica. La composizione e' tanto elegante e dinamica offrendo anche ottima profondita' ed una vista urbana dettagliata ed affascinante. La definizione degli elementi stabili ma anche del monorail corrente e' magnifica. Esso sembra trasparente nel punto dove converge con gli edifizi della citta', come se fosse gia' un pensiero o una memoria sfuggente. La gestione di luce e colori e' ammirabile. Complimenti e grazie!
Tanti saluti e buon fine settimana,
Ourania

Sergiom (117241) 2013-01-19 6:49

Ciao Lisa

What a good idea and rey well done. The wide angle lense gives a sense of depth and all the details are perfectly rendered. I like the lights of the monorail that seems to fly in the picture.

Have a great weekend

Serge

dkmurphys (79171) 2013-01-19 6:54

Ciao Lisa,
I like the dynamic of this scene and the crystal clear colors. Well taken, perfect work!

Daniel

photoray (13981) 2013-01-19 6:55

Howdy Lisa,

Your monorail and Sydney panorama is impressive for the evening lighting, electrical lights, multi colors, and the whoosh of the monorail path.

But I am sad, your monorail is being removed. Our California public transit systems are constantly under attack by pro auto powers. I wish I were there to perhaps try and save the monorail?
For example, in the mid century Los Angeles had an electric car public transit system going throughout the area, including the beaches and even the top of Mount Wilson over 5,000 feet.
Cheap gasoline and wide availabity of autos eliminated the Electric Red Cars.

Anyway, great job,
Cheers,
Ray

No_One (4) 2013-01-19 8:11

Gidday Lisa,
As ever, I am in aw of the stunning skylines you have in Sydney, a stunning mix of architecture, light, design and modernity. I would be like a kid in a candyshop here. The addition of the monorail and the fantastic effect you got on it makes this a classic shot. A little sad though, to hear that such a cool ultra modern method of transport is saying goodbye.

I've always had a soft spot for monorails, they always seemed quite futuristic and cool. Really sad to see this go. It does somewhat remind me of the Monorail episode in the Simpsons every time I see one though. (the ring came off my pudding can! Take my penknife my good man..) Your long exposure shots are really class.

Also Lisa, thanks for the note on the spire, and your very kind words. I laughed loudly when I read your note about the statue of of Queen Victoria that we gave the good people of Sydney. While I have no opinion on the lady herself, I must agree with those who say it is one of the most hideous statues of her ever made. I can imagine in my minds eye as some wiley Paddy turned up with the statue in Sydney, offering it as a gift, and the good people there being too polite to refuse it on the grounds of it being so darn ugly :) I love the comment on one of the sites about it which says she sits in Syndey, looking down on pedestrians, and being totally ignored, as she was when she was in Ireland.

Have a great weekend! I'm still hoping for snow!
Noel

ktanska (43422) 2013-01-19 9:32

Hi Lisa,
It seems that the monorail accelerates to warp speed to leave this universe! Never seen it that way before. I've always liked this special transport feature, although I've actually used it only on my first visit, in 1991. So probably there's a piece of truth in calling it less practical.
Sydney was in the news for breaking temperature record of over +45 degrees. In the meantime Finland had -33 last night.
Kari

williewhistler (16606) 2013-01-19 14:54

Hello Lisa,on Monday we fly to Vic for another two weeks,on our return we look forward to catching up and may be,just may be,getting a lesson in evening photography....
An absolutely stunning shot,perfectly exposed with lots of drama,with fine use of the verticals.
Kindest regards Les.

worldcitizen (15660) 2013-01-19 19:22

Hello Lisa,
Great POV! I like the light trail speeding across the frame, and the city view in the distance is excellent, too. The sense of motion is very dynamic. It's too bad the monorail will disappear, but at least you got this great shot before it leaves!

ACL1978 (7511) 2013-01-19 19:50

I'm always a little sad when a bit of public transit fails, especially one as innovative as a monorail system. This is a nice legacy for it to have, though, with a great sense of movement and a sweeping line here leading into Sydney. A perfect blue hour shot as well, with bright lights standing out against a rich blue sky. The flutter of the flags is wonderfully recorded as well! Thanks.

Andrew

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-01-19 22:48

Nice work Lisa - A simple strong composition with such lovely detail and colour. Flags and train lights give the shot an attractive textural contrast to the pin-sharp architectural detail. Nicely graphic lines too. Somehow the colours do it for ma and are exceptional here. Hope you are enjoying a super Sunday. Rosemary

brianmcc (6223) 2013-01-20 4:13

hi lisa,
the colours in this picture reaaly stand out with the blue sky providing the background canvas. the splattering of reds, yellows and greens are a wonderful contrast. your positioning of the monorail overhead is superb as it travels across the frame and brings the viewer along with it towards the city buildings. superb detail and depth.
have a lovely sunday,
brian

chrisvek (7003) 2013-01-20 4:19

Hello dear Lisa

Splendid composition and very good POV.I like very much the lightning management and the perfect variety of colors.Also the background is magnificent.Very well done for this amazing job.Well done and thank you for sharing.

Have a nice day
Chris

DRamos (512) 2013-01-20 5:50

Hello smooth,

Very good photo of long duration, I am charmed with the moment of caught step of the flags and of the air one. Also you have chosen a very good perspective for your photo.

Personally I am charmed with the photos of the blue hour.

Regards

David

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-01-20 8:54

Hello Lisa,
Sydney has really great skyline and you磛e found excellent POV to present it in a new,original way.It磗 a real pleasure to look at your composition,at the skyline cut by the Monorail tracks and the blue sky.Superb idea and execution.Inspiring view!

Best regards
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (83579) 2013-01-20 12:14

Hello Lisa,

Something as distinctive as this will be missed!
What a pity it didn't have a reasonably priced fare then it would have been used efficiently.

I love the descending sprint of light. It is a most unusual and very interesting way of linking together the f/g and the b/g of your shot.
Amazingly colourful with the lights and the flags.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Sonata11 (34119) 2013-01-20 17:19

Hi dear Lisa,
Magnificent executed image. An amazing snopshot. Perfectly well done with super diagonal compo, colors, sharpness, clarity are marvellous. SUPER PHOTO!!!! My congratulation. Love this effect. Thank you Lisa.
All thye best,
Barbara

ifege (43909) 2013-01-20 21:22

Hi Lisa - a magical one of the soon to be gone momo rail. At one time when I was based in Ultimo for work and had to visit offices in Market street a lot I was a regular on it.
A great idea taking it at night.
Enjoying the cooler days?
cheers
Ian

Bluejeans (64251) 2013-01-22 5:39

Ola Lisa ,
Boa foto na blue hour com o uso dos 13 segundos , ficou lindo o efeito do comboio na linha a閞ea , gostei dos detalhes dos edif韈ios de fundo , parab閚s!!
Um abra鏾 Gon鏰lo

adores (46979) 2013-01-23 17:06

Hi Lisa!
Good that you didn't miss the chance to take a few more shots before it stops.
A really great exposure here! I like the sense of movement, with the flags and the monorail. The colours are also great - it was taken on a really good moment!

mkamionka (70042) 2013-01-24 8:49

Ciao Lisa,
very creative composition. I like the skyscrapers further in the distance. The rail makes a pleasant diagonal which cuts through the panorama of the city. Great clarity. Excellent quality of work!!
M

speedymanu (3701) 2013-02-03 1:22

Hello Lisa,

A shot that is slightly different imho from your mainsream. Yet it is still very well composed with a great use of diagonal and superb colors. It manages to be both effervescent and peaceful with the soothing effect of the light trails.

Have a nice day,

Emmanuel

mirosu (16313) 2013-02-08 17:55

Hi Lisa,
I like your composition with the bridge crossing diagonally the frame. Excellent lighting with perfect clarity. Did you try to straighten the image? Anyhow I like it. Excellent work.

P.s. Many thanks to your professional comments to "House Facade� I agree with you, without the yellow strip the photo may improve with tighter crop, but I left it there intentionally. As you say matter of taste.
Have a great weekend (still raining there??)

Photo Gallery

PaulVDV (60858) 2013-02-21 4:13

Hello Lisa,
When it's easy enough to walk that distance few people will be prepared to buy an expensive ticket.
So from June onwards your POV will provide a different view of the skyline of the Central Business District.
This is a very colourful blue hour picture!
I also like the effect of the long exposure on the passing monorail, creating a dynamic feeling.
Best regards, Paul