Gloden Gate Glowing

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted August 15, 2012627 views10 comments

A capture of Golden Gate Bridge during pre-dawn blue hour, my favorite time for taking cityscape photography. The intensive orange-red colors of the clouds were actually the refection of city lights, which are mostly sodium vapor lights.

Thanks for viewing and C & C. Please see LARGE VERSION.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 15, 2012 at 1:37 PM

Hard to critique at this size. It is pretty saturated for my taste, but I think that is also to a degree a function of size.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 15, 2012 at 2:26 PM

Phil: Thanks. Larger version is provided :)

The environment was pretty dark (ISO 200, F11, 30 seconds). As a result, the orange-red artificial light dominates, resulting in a very saturated original. In fact, I had to reduce the red saturation quite a bit in the post. My choose of daylight white balance also contributed to the rich warm colors. I tried to use Tungsten white balance, which reduces the orange color saturation, but I did not like the color of the sky (too blue for my taste). Moreover, I think daylight white balance matches what I saw.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on August 15, 2012 at 4:40 PM

Yiming,
This is a stunning capture.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on August 18, 2012 at 4:08 PM

Very dramatic and evocative image, Yiming! The light and saturation are what makes the image so unique. Love the comp. Just thinking though… The bridge is noted for being red, so I'd kind of like to see a touch of red saturation added back the bridge. It would also differentiate better from the dominant orange-ish tone of the scene. Hope you repost if you implement the suggestion. Just a very cool shot!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 19, 2012 at 2:20 PM

Mike: Thanks!

Catherine: Excellent suggestions. Here is a repost. Thanks.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on August 20, 2012 at 1:18 AM

The repost is terrific. Great lighting.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 23, 2012 at 2:22 AM

Re-post is even better - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on August 24, 2012 at 1:19 PM

Kah Kit & Sandy: Thanks!

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on August 24, 2012 at 7:02 PM

I do like the repost better but just marginally since I do not see too much of a difference on my monitor between it and the original. Beautiful night scene as is or was.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on August 25, 2012 at 8:13 PM

I agree with Mike. Stunning capture Yiming!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments