Just Before Dawn

[Glayva]

Although this section is normally for "How I took it", I would like to explain why I took this image. A friend of my wife asked her if I would take a night-time shot of Tavira water front from this particular camera position. So, the previous evening I set up my camera and waited for a nice sunset and for the water side lights to come on. The problem was that the lights do not come on until quite a while after sunset so there was very little to capture as far as an image goes. What I did eventually get I was not happy with as there was much too much contrast and although I could have shot for an HDR image, I did not.

I came home a bit disappointed until I thought about taking it at sunrise instead of sunset. The following morning I got up well before dawn and set up my camera in the same spot. The local police crawled by in their car and must have wondered what I was up to! I am glad I went so early because I took several shots before sunrise of which this is one. As soon as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, the council turn off the street lights and the shot just does not have the same impact.

My wife's friend was delighted with the finished print even though the night-time shot was a dawn image. Apart from cropping and some output sharpening, I have done very little else to the image.

[roxthefox]

That's a stunning turnout. Could you share your specs?

[Glayva]

Thanks for your very nice comments.

My settings were ISO 100, f22 @ 8 secs. I was using my 16-25mm wide angle lens @ 20mm with a circular polariser. The 8 seconds exposure has produced a nice smooth surface to the fast flowing water.

[Hill Country Hack]

Very, very nice shot. TFS

[yulchick]

beautiful photograph

[v_1848]

Great Photograph !!! Nice Work !

[hubblefromthesun]

The lights really take the image to another level. It's also nice to see the dedication you had in waiting and going back for the image you wanted.

[vincentt]

After looking at the picture you took I was speechless its breathtaking, i love the reflections on the water.

[Glayva]

Once again I must thank you all for your lovely comments. They are very much appreciated. Just because I like an image does not mean others do. I am ultra critical of my own work hence I do not upload as frequently as I would like. I have sold three copies of this image so that must say something.
Again, many thanks to you guys.