"A Capital Christmas" by Wes Aldridge
I wanted to capture a little bit of Christmas time in the city this afternoon. I headed down to the state capital building because I knew the giant tree there would be illuminated. I decided to show the busy street in the shot, you know, the feeling of the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I set-up the tripod as low as it would go and took a seat on the ass-freezing sidewalk to frame up the shot. There are three layers in this shot in my eyes. The first layer is the fire hydrant in the foreground. To me, this is the most important layer of the photograph because it gives depth to the second layer. The second layer is made from the streaking headlights and tailights of passing consumer vehicles and the also from the interior lights of a MTA passenger bus going by in the lane closest to me. The hydrant becomes 3-D with those lights being broken and shielded from the lens as the automobiles passed behind it. And, of course, the third layer of the tree, capital building, sky, etc. makes up the background.
To get the great light streaks from the passing cars and the overall warm tint of the shot, the exposure was at 5 seconds to let tons of ambient light drench the image. I was also shooting really wide-angled at 16mm at ISO 100 at f/18 to get a massive depth of field. I think that near infinite DOF is important in this shot because it makes the layers blend together into one.
16 comments:
wes.... this is an awesome shot.You truly have the gift for your career.This is a very busy shot and I do see what your are talking about.Isn't that scary!!!
I would like it better if it were shot in the daytime. With the sun behind it, and no cars going by.
I really think this photograph is garbage. For someone who thinks he is so talented, this guy should really try harder and not post excrement for the general public to view. The attempts here to capture "the decisive moment" in photography have failed. I feel this entire website is a failure. It should be called "A Year of Wasted Time and Energy."
SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER BE AFFORDED THE LUXURY OF TOUCHING A CAMERA. FIND ANOTHER PROFESSION, ONE THAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOME SMALL SEMBLANCE OF TALENT AT, AND LEAVE THE REAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE GROWN-UPS, YOU CHILD.
Great capture!!!
I like it very much...
...and thanks too for the interesting technical informations you have given to that shot.
GRETCHEN: That was pretty RockstaR. You make me wish I could be Harry Como and/or Burt Reynolds. I cannot express to you how awesome that was, hope you didn't have an aneurysm while typing it. I have never really had my ass handed to me on a silver platter on my own Web site before. Thnx for keeping it real, it was exhilirating. Not to worry, I have already started re-vamping my resume and gearing it towards finding a job in either the space exploration or culinary fields. Hopefully I can find a job that incorporates both.
And happy Kwanza.
You are hurt by what I wrote, aren't you? You very well should be because I meant every word. You try to use sarcasm and humor to cover up your pain and embarassment, just like any child would. Comedy cannot cover for mediocrity. And in your case, being mediocre is a generous statement. And don't look into being an astronaut or cook, try something more on your level like a janitor or an elementary school teacher. Maybe then you can come up with some original and unique ideas.
i like it. i'm glad that you share your work. i hope to have as much talent as you with a camera. i try, and i like it. even if it is just comparative doodling, it is mine.
--an elementary school teacher shapes the lives of the future population and is in no way mediocre.
Ba Ba Hum Bug Gretchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A little jealousy I see!! Ha Ha--maybe someday you will also grow up and become someone--or even something--?? Time will surely tell now, won't it? Ah__ the minds of the disturbed!!!!! Ha--Great shot Mr. Mind of the Photographer. You really know how to keep it alive and interesting!! Carry on!!!
If she hates your work so much, why visit the site numerous times.
Gretchen, give us a link to your photography site so we can see what a "grown up" can do. I can't wait to be enlightened.
Gwetchen,
cheese on bwead.
Wes, I told you anonymous anal sex with overweight women would come back to haunt you... I was expecting a black eye from a jealous husband, but sadly it looks like you've got a rather large wart.
-Matt.
Oh, so I see your pithy little photo gallery has a fan club. I am certain they have no understanding of the word "art" in any true sense. And I wouldn't share my work with talentless hacks such as all of you for any reason. My work demands social respect and it is the outermost testament to myself. Your eyes would become starry and your little minds would melt if your eyes found the work of my hands.
NONE OF YOU COULD BEGIN TO COMPREHEND IT.
Ahh the Internet lurker. They are the venereal disease of the net. They go to people's sites, comment on them, and then hide behind anonymnity. They don't offer an email address, or any other address where a discussion could be carried on. They normally talk about how their work is so much better, and then never show it to try to validate their claims.
Gretchen Wellscot,
I don't know what you passion is, mine is photography and so is Wes's. That is all I have to say.....NO WAIT OH YEAH...I KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY! WE GET PAID FOR THE PURSUIT OF OUR PASSIONS. TOO BAD NO ONE PAYS YOU TO BE A WINEY BITCH. ROCKY ON WES!!!! PS
SORRY I CUT MY SELF OFF.
AND AGAIN.
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