While in Fort Smith last week, I went down to the Arkansas River to see if I could get a few night photos. I tried lots of different things but nothing seemed to be working. So, I sat down on a bench and started watching the water flow. After watching a while, I decided to move towards the bridge where the lights were casting all sorts of patterns on the river below.
Again, I tried different things, but again, not much was happening. Finally, I settled on isolating totally on the lights reflecting off the moving water. I switched lens to my 70-200mm f/2.8 so that I could isolate and compress the scene. I also put a neutral density filter on the lens so that I could slow my shutter speed.
I wanted the photo to be about the colors and the patterns.
Enjoy.
Camera settings: Nikon D3, 70-200mm f/2.8 at 170mm, shot at ISO 200, f/16 and 8 second with a exposure combination of -1.0 EV and 4-stop neutral density filter on a tripod with white balance set to 7,800K to add more warmth to the lights.
Post Processing:
Lightroom—Set white and black points, added mid-tone contrast, clarity and vibrance.
Very peaceful scene. This is a photo that does not make that big of an impression on you when you first look at it, but I think that if it were hanging in my house, I would often stop and look at it. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Nice shot Patrick!
ReplyDeleteThe colors are great and the composition makes it a little abstract (it could be a flooded street and reflections of street lights instead of a river) which adds interest.
Well done!
Barry
Two days in a row you have posted photos that I do not really like. I just do not get the point of this type of shot.
ReplyDeleteCharles M