Broadway Tower at Night

Stu Meech

Stu Meech

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Stu
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Starry Night by Stu Meech, on Flickr

Not done any night time work before (well not for about 6-7 years anyway, and then only once!), so I took the D610 out to Broadway last night as it was meant to be clear skies with a 99% full moon.

I got the full moon, an attractive side lighting position but not the clear skies so I dumped the star trail idea and went with this.

Next time I go, I'll have to find someone to come with me as it's a bit odd being up there by yourself!
 
Great shot, I love the isolation and the attention to detail. Would make a great desktop background.

What time did you shoot it?
 
Really nicely done. You have nailed the colours/WB beautifully. My only tiny niggle is the slightly distracting pole in the bottom right but that's just knit picking.

I know what you mean about wanting company when shooting stuff like this. I've set out a few times to do star trails etc on my own and ended up heading home after 30 mins either due to boredom or the creepy silence.
 
gad-westy said:
Really nicely done. You have nailed the colours/WB beautifully. My only tiny niggle is the slightly distracting pole in the bottom right but that's just knit picking.

I know what you mean about wanting company when shooting stuff like this. I've set out a few times to do star trails etc on my own and ended up heading home after 30 mins either due to boredom or the creepy silence.
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I know what you mean re: post. I tried to clone it out but it ended up looking rather messy as I'm not the best cloner.

Yes, it's quite cool being out there by yourself but that doesn't last long before you start wondering what every little noise is. A fox ran past me and almost gave me a heart attack! Lol.

Joeturner11 said:
Lovely shot pal, always meant to get up there myself and do a long exp. as its fairly close to where I live, still haven't got around to doing it!
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Good job you didn't turn up last night to do, I'd have needed new pants if you strolled across the dark towards me! Lol.


Sent from my iPad using Talk Photography Forums
 
that's a great shot........was going to venture here last sat night but the thought of venturing here first time in darkness wasn't a good plan so didn't!!
 
Hmm, only an hour away for me.
Had a quick "drive" on Google Streetview and can see the country park gates are closed. Do you just shin over the barbed wire fences at night or is there a legal way?

Lovely shot by the way,

Terry.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
Hmm, only an hour away for me.
Had a quick "drive" on Google Streetview and can see the country park gates are closed. Do you just shin over the barbed wire fences at night or is there a legal way?

Lovely shot by the way,

Terry.
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There is a public footpath that is accessible 24/7, next to the gates on the left is the turnstile, once over that there is a gate on the other side which goes through to the field/tower.
 
Fascinating image! Being nosey have you done much processing on this or is it just moonlight? Great stuff either way.
 
RJL2005 said:
Fascinating image! Being nosey have you done much processing on this or is it just moonlight? Great stuff either way.
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Thanks :)

For info, I didn't do much processing, 98% is what was in the original raw and lit from the moonlight.

I did however:

Boost shadows on left hand side of tower
Clone out small bush that was annoying me
Level tweak to bring out stars
Unsharp mask on tower / ground
High pass sharpen on stars

That's it :)
 
That's great, love the colours.

The only annoying thing (and really picky) is that post at the bottom right.
 
RoddersUK said:
That's great, love the colours.

The only annoying thing (and really picky) is that post at the bottom right.
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I know what you mean, when the moment presents itself, I'll take the clone brush to it.


Sent from my iPad using Talk Photography Forums
 
I really do like this a lot I love the symmetry of it, it works really well, I do agree removal of the fence post as minor as it is would make an improvement to the image...it's a real shame about the level of cloud...I cannot help but feel that you've cooled the white balance a little too much as you've lost some of the warmth of the stone work and the foreground grass is looking a little cool too...I know why you've gone like you have one the white balance it's too counter the large levels of light pollution being reflected from the cloud but feel it's just a little too cool and would be better slightly warmer, you could if you wanted merge two different white balance exposures one for the sky one for the rest of the scene if doing a universal warming leaves the sky too warm (y)

Must get back up to the tower soon...

Matt
 
MWHCVT said:
I really do like this a lot I love the symmetry of it, it works really well, I do agree removal of the fence post as minor as it is would make an improvement to the image...it's a real shame about the level of cloud...I cannot help but feel that you've cooled the white balance a little too much as you've lost some of the warmth of the stone work and the foreground grass is looking a little cool too...I know why you've gone like you have one the white balance it's too counter the large levels of light pollution being reflected from the cloud but feel it's just a little too cool and would be better slightly warmer, you could if you wanted merge two different white balance exposures one for the sky one for the rest of the scene if doing a universal warming leaves the sky too warm (y)
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Hi Matt, thanks for the feedback. I do know what you mean, I did deliberately choose a cool WB but this wasn't just about the light pollution but also because I prefer a cool tone to moonlight - blame 15 years of working in theatrical stage lighting for that! I can always give a go pulling it back a touch though if I ever get round to cloning out that damn fence post. Cheers, Stu.
 
stumeech said:
Hi Matt, thanks for the feedback. I do know what you mean, I did deliberately choose a cool WB but this wasn't just about the light pollution but also because I prefer a cool tone to moonlight - blame 15 years of working in theatrical stage lighting for that! I can always give a go pulling it back a touch though if I ever get round to cloning out that damn fence post. Cheers, Stu.
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No worries :) tempted for a ride down the next clear night we get now :p
 
Stunning. I wish there was this kind of light at night where I was. Light pollution is so bad around here :(
 
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