"Airport Hustle" Photo

Photographer’s Note

I had just gotten off a 10hr flight from Vancouver, and it wasn't over yet. This was only the stopover en route to Singapore- a journey I've done probably 20 times (each way).

When I first moved to Singapore, I flew Korean Airlines as they were significantly cheaper then others- however the layovers were murder, especially in the old Kimpo Airport! SQ/ Singapore Airlines (whom I now fly with) recently changed their routing to Seoul instead of Tokyo for their Vancouver bound flights. Thankfully, this is the new(er) Incheon International Airport which opened in 2001.

The layover was about about an hour, so after stretching my legs- I headed to the SQ lounge to kick back and relax before getting back en board the plane. This view is from the lounge looking down the arm of the airport towards all the departure gates. A nice long exposure helps to convey the 'Airport Hustle'.

I hope you like it,
- Dan

ktanska, rjb874, Dyerco, lilimih33, scobert, peterd has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

hoorge (1434) 2008-01-28 8:06

Love the hustle scene. It clearly looks like it with the motion blur. The shot is quite sharp and clean. Nice work. I like how you added your trademark into the picture on the ceiling. Sneaky!

sebinho342 (18726) 2008-01-28 8:27

Hi danwalshstudios.com,
If i hadn't read hoorge comment i think i won't have noticed it !
Anyway this is not the must seen here and i had great pleasure watching this production and your explanation in your note. A great picture as i love them, blurry and sharp, excellent use of long shutter speed here. This so symetric compo works well and i can feel the atmosphere that reigns in airports.
Excellent

Roly (1948) 2008-01-28 14:37

So I guess you're trying something new... It's not the type of shot that I'd hang on my wall, but it does illustrate the title and is overall pretty good. It's incredible how motionless some people can be! Did you correct the perspective distortion?

rjb874 (595) 2008-01-28 19:07

I've been through ICN many times too. One of the best airports there is. SQ airlines is very good isn't it, Asiana is also good.

bigboroboy (1009) 2008-01-28 19:51

A good shot with lots of energy. I could spend awhile raving about your concert photography but this one stands out as being a little different than your usual shots. Excellent work.

PHIL

Ann75 (0) 2008-01-28 20:37

Hi Dan,

Very interesting shot and a great capture of the "hustle" at the airport. Great light, beautiful colors and a well balanced shot. Great POV, beautiful composition and well captured. Great work, Dan!

Greetings,
Ann

ktanska (16432) 2008-01-29 3:32

Hi Dan,
Central composition works well here with those banners providing framing. But people here are the main thing and long exposure gives a good idea about action going on.
Kari

Dyerco (8908) 2008-01-29 7:08

Hi Dan
Yes you caught the hustle and bustle very well with some people standing and in focus and others in motion. The signs add some welcome colour too.
Are the floors made of shiny marble or is that water I see near the fellow with the cannister?
Phil

CaptainJack (0) 2008-01-29 17:04

Geez, I just had a flashback of my time in this very spot last November as I was transferring from my flight from Vancouver, with only 30 minutes to spare before my plane to KL took off! I sprinted down this corridor like a madman, almost killing myself numerous times by barely avoiding the slow walking tourists. ;)

This vantage point captures the typical scene of an airport wing very well, with the long narrow pedways, and the mix of people moving about and those that are standing around killing time. Last week I was in that very same SQ lounge (strange how they had the hard liquor bar so far away from the main sitting area), but definitely a good way to wait for a plane.

rgarrigus (0) 2008-01-30 11:02

Hi Dan,

I'm not much of a street photography fan but I like images like this. The juxtaposition of the the crisply focused structures with the movement of the people is something I find interesting to view. I get to move around the picture enjoying all those little cameo moments like wondering who the guy on the phone might be calling or what the guys underneath the purple banner might have stopped for. Really nice and very well composed.

Cheers!

Bob G.

lilimih33 (9870) 2008-01-30 12:04

Hello Dan!
What a busy place!
You caught the movement very well!
Beautful colours!
Best regards!
Lili

Didi (35782) 2008-02-02 9:05

Hi Dan
The subject is interesting with the movement effect but from the middle to the right foreground there is too much confusion.
Cheers.

scobert (5333) 2008-02-05 21:10

Hello Dan,
This type of photo is one of my favorite themes. The chaos of human activity, implied by the motion, against the static architecture. I tried this approach at Grand Central Station, but I wasn't quite this successful. Your photo is extremely sharp and you have a good contrast between people moving around and just standing. Excellent and interesting photograph!
Stan

smarcell (14105) 2008-02-12 7:39

An original interpretation of an airport hall. The mixture of blurred and sharp objects makes the picture interesting.
I think this kind of pictures offers many opportunities.
I was trying to do something similar on a sky pist, but I did not get satisfactory results yet. But I'll keep on trying !
Stefano

Ultrablue (553) 2009-03-19 7:44

This photo really gives the idea of the frenetic life of an airport.
Good work!

Elena

coco (27612) 2009-06-21 1:47

Hi Dan.

With a good composition and also with a good exposure you got this great great picture.

WEll done.