City of Lights- LA Style, a photo from California, Ouest

Photographer's Note

I finally understood how to capture night shots. Of course the night sky wasn't quite this orange. Perfecting my exposure is what I'm working on and I hope you all don't get offended by this shot. Here's the thing. I check TE everyday and I read so many critiques on here. Some people are very snobby in their judgements of other people and others are quite humbe in their approach. To me, by posting every now and then I'm learning by my mistakes and critiques of others.

I love looking at quality photos and hope to be there very soon.

I guess this shot tells me that an 18-55mm lens will only get me so far. I was with my friend and we were a little nervous to be on Mullholland Dr after dark (this was around midnight last night) and heard noises in the trees and bushes. So my photojournalist inside never came out due to the scardy cat outside. Meaning, I took a few shots and ran. The end result: this. You can see the city through the power tower and I was on a slanty hill so it was difficult to get a better comp.

Anyway, feel free to help me out with regards to exposure or anything else and thanks for reading my mini-rant. Thought it was about time.

Peace and love,
Talia

Oh and the note on Mullholand. Every now and then you hear stories of bodies being left there- part mobster/ part LA film junkie stories I guess!

dragonslayero, PARDAL, Benedict, amstel, jmcl, asival, Liekje trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

dragonslayero (3588) 2007-05-03 19:52

Hello Talia

Nighttime shots are always a favorite, but as you so lively put it... sometimes the scardy cat in us all takes the shortest straw.
I like the result here. Bright lights of the city combined with an interesting finish on the sky and clouds.
In addition the truss structure adds a nice sharp element that makes the viewer feel at home or more down to earth.
I hope the sounds didn't scare you off for good, but I must admit I don't feel that safe myself when I hear noises somewhere out in the dark... then again I always keep a Japanese bokuto in my car :D
Take care and don't let the bed bugs bite ;)

Odd Jarle

belido (19934) 2007-05-04 7:48

Hi Talia,

I love this photo. It looks it was taken from some hollywood movie, that kind the final confront is in places like that. The tower on the left completes the beautiful scene. Congrats!
Regards,
Carlos

teacozie (1377) 2007-05-11 3:11

Yo Talia,

I really like this night exposure and think you have a very nice result! It's nice to have the structure of the tower in the foreground, nice clarity having it blackened out in and then the lights of the city hand so nicely like they seem to be floating.

Well done!

PARDAL (624) 2007-05-11 11:05

Hi Talia!!!
Good shot!!
Amazing POV and good composition!
The light it´s great!!
We love it!!
Thanx for sharing!!
Natàlia i Joan

Benedict (7076) 2007-05-28 1:45

hi talia,
looks like this shot was before the brush fire that hit hollywood hill's griffith park, huh? and you were brave enough to be there on an unholy hour!!...the bravery paid well, tho...
the composition is nice showing well the vast LA metro night scene on a cloudless and starless night.
benedict
ps- oh yes, have a happy memorial day, talia!

amstel (2388) 2007-06-13 7:02

Hi Talia,

Good shot. The structure gives the viewer a better sense of perspective, so it's definitely worth having it. Though, I think it takes too much space here - more than half of the picture.

I remember being on Mullholland Dr myself. It was great. And so was the film by Tarantino.

Cheers

teej (58) 2007-06-16 3:11

I really like this shot. The tower and the orange-ish light is beautiful. The dark foreground offsets the sprawling city of lights well. Lovely.
T.J.

jmcl (14535) 2007-07-20 7:36

Hi Talia,

I think the orange tone is wonderful ... the glow of the city is great ..
Compositionally I think the idea of putting some foreground things in to create a sense of depth is very good .. my thought for you is that I think maybe you should find a spot where you can have more city lights (the main focus) .. and just a perfect focusing bit of foreground (far easier said than done) .. I also think you should try panoramic stitching of the endless LA lights .. bet that would be cool. That said you have a very nice image. I am always told by people to do my night shots in the "blue hour" just after sunset .. Hercules (cretense) & Evan (evanrizo) are a couple photographers here that come to my mind at being really really good at this. I know at least Evan often uses a DRI technique of layering exposures.

take care,

John

asival (5307) 2007-08-11 0:02

Hi Talia

The title works well here; you're merited for your effort here, and for the well executed idea.

GJ

Assi