First Timed Exposure - Hoover Dam

[DivotMaker]

This is my first attempt at a timed exposure, with traffic (vehicle).

I would like to hear opinions about the shot and suggestions for my next attempt.




Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 8
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: -11/3 EV
Flash: No Flash
Polarizing Filter

[freezeframe03]

All the action is in the top 1/4 of the photo and it's squeezed in there. I think the time of day / lighting is good...much detail can be seen. The bottom 3/4 of the photo is just lines and negative space. I think about 1/3 of that could be cropped in your next attemp giving way for more space above the action. I'd also like to see a bit of action going on between those two pillar thingys, however that may not be possible at night? You have a really nice perspective for this view and I look forward to your next attempt.

[hey joni]

hi

I would personally have taken the photo from higher up with a steeper angle looking down.

however, i suspect that this was physically impossible!

I would have personally zoomed in more to get rid of the negative space freezeframe03 mentioned. It would be better framed and you would also gain a lot more detail.

I would also have exposed for longer to get bigger light trails and more detail out of the stone sides of the structure. Use a ND filter is you need to.

I'm also not sure the towers are straight. they are almost and I am being picky because you asked for critique, i'm not trying to be mean!

But overall I like it, well done and welcome to the world of long exposures.

[DivotMaker]

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

This was the best angle I could get, due to the location. (The lens was a fixed 50mm, saving for the zoom right now.)

But the suggestions from both of you, are great. Dont worry about my feelings.

I was thinking the depth of the dam, would enhance the picture, but after cropping it I think it brings an entirely new perspective. I tried to ensure the horizontal plane of the dam where the traffic is, was as close to level as possible. In addition, I attempted to get the top portion of the pillar on the left as perpendicular as possible.

I welcome all other comments. (cropped idea below)



Thanks again.

[hey joni]

That's a lot better to IMO.

The details are showing much more now and the compo balance is better.

To me the best part is the towers and the streaking lights are there as an additional bonus, to give it a sense of place.

Have you also lightened the picture on the 2nd shot? It looks lighter.

I would personally level the photo based on the towers not the road. The towers would (probably, hopefully) have been built straight and level. Because the towers are in the foreground, any mis-alignment is more noticeable than if the road was slightly off, as it is farther away and the difference would be negligible. Also, because it's curved, it's hard to see what is level, if you see what i mean?

One suggestion is to black out the lit window on the farthest tower. I didn't notice it before but now it sticks out.

This is just my opinion, i'd like to see what others think. Window or no window?

As I said before, great shot and you've made it better already with a few tweaks.

cheers

Kev

[kirbinster]

Why f/22? You need a lot more exposure as the structure can barely be seen. One other option would either be HDR or just blend two pictures with one exposure for the top part and a much longer exposure for the bottom to get the details of the structure.

[LeeR]

Noooooooooo! Do not crop this image! That's a travesty. You have made excellent use of the negative space in the original image and cropping it out would be a crime. I love the mystery created by such a huge structure appearing to be suspended in mid-air. No, stick with your original instinct and leave it the way it is. It can be hard to come up with something original when photographing an American icon, but you have done this beautifully. Print it, frame it, hang it in the Louvre...it's ready to go. (OK, maybe not the Louvre, but in your own home at least.)

[DivotMaker]

Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. I really appreciate them.

kirbinster
I used f22, because I wanted to get as much detail as I could and there was still quite a bit of light out. I tried for a glowing effect, with the detail of the concrete there, only if your eyes were caught by the image.

hey joni
The base of the towers were almost like a pyramid, with the top sections the only true verticals. The fact the closest tower looks tilted, is an issue with me. But when I tried to correct that on site, it really brought the top of the dam to an angle.
These are the same image, just cropped.

LeeR
Once again, I appreciate your advice and encouragement. I really appreciate your comment " It can be hard to come up with something original when photographing an American icon, but you have done this beautifully." as this was what I wanted to do.


"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Thank you again for stretching my mind on this one...