Winter Sunsets & Burning Sculptures

[Nicole]

Last weekend was the Petone Winter Carnival (it was a busy weekend with the Worldwide Photowalk in the morning and the Carnival in the evening).

One of the things I enjoy about the carnival (aside from the fireworks which will be coming later), is the beach at sunset. They have a really nice long beach in Petone that always seems perfect at sunset.





And this year I actually got to see the fire sculptures. Artists build sculptures out of flammable materials like straw, hay, and wood. And once it gets dark they pour some sort of lighter fluid on them and up they go. Not only are they fun to photograph, but they sure do help warm you up while you wait for the fireworks!



This first fire one was very similar to the Atlas sculpture.



While this one was a staircase that the fire traveled up, eventually reaching another straw man. I must admit the stairs have kind of a "Stairway to Hell" sort of vibe to them!

[flavio]

Nicole,
Two sets for the price of one.
I really liked what you did with the colors and tones of the first two. They are both splendid shots.
The second set is "on fire". Very interesting! and well captured.
The stairway to hell is very dramatic and tells its own story.
Thanks for posting them!

[candleman]

excellent stuff Nicole, the last two remind me of that movie "Wicker Man"

the sunset is really pretty.. me thinks you could make $$$ on MCB
top quality landscapes from you

[Nicole]

Ah, thanks for reminding me that I need to look back into that, candleman!

And thanks, flavio

[Angelb]

Wow!!! All four are fantastic shots, Great colour great captures.

[Bernzfotos]

Hi Nicole,

Fabulous shots - I just can't believe that Petone beach looks that beautiful but you have certainly captured the shot that shows that it can. I had better get out there on a night like that and capture my own. Cheers, Bernz

[qunox]

I'm lost for word for this picture set. I aplause for this stunning pictures

[leonaashlee]

Love the second shot best, but they are all really good.

[fstopMike]

Of all the beach sunsets I've seen, your two have to rank at the top. The colors are superb, the perspectives fantastic, and I love the little pinpoint dot of light off in the distance in the first one. The two fire sculptures are exquisite and the stairway is quite moving.

[kstraw2]

Love those first two shots. It looks like the 1st one you had the camera an inch or two off the sand - correct?