*The Commute* Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hello Everybody.

This event takes place every work day. Various households arise to the morning air and set about prepping themselves for school and work. Not a unique situation to the area I live in; the commute is common the whole world over.
The streams of cars slowly converge onto the side roads and then they make their to the cross county highways. Most vehicles in Maryland head to the ring that surrounds Washington DC. The beltway exceeded its rated capacity not long after it was built. Since these early days there has been a constant struggle to mantain and expand this stretch of concrete and asphalt; all in vain. As the road widens, more cars pour forth.
As more people come to Maryland to take advantage of the wealth of jobs and the oppurtunity for a higher average wage, the suburbs slowly spread out into the once rural landscape. More people are willing to drive further each day in the hopes that they will become wealthy sometime in the far future. For this, they are willing to commute up to three hours each way. I work well outside the beltway, and yet, I still drive one hour each way to my job.
This constant influx of people has strained the natural resources of this beautiful area. As people earn more money, they look for larger houses further away from the major metro areas. Yet, they still work in the city. The model T Ford got almost twenty five miles to the gallon, but todays American made cars still average much lower gas milage than that original car for everyman. Too much weight is put on the status symbol that a nice large vehicle can become.
Without adopting an extensive mass transit system and teaching people that the world that they enjoy through the windows of their gas guzzling vehicles will be destroyed, we can expect the people to ignore the obvious until it is much too late.

This is a view alongside the Benedict bridge on my way to work.

Frame, shrink then sharpen. Also used a polarizer.

Thanks,
Chris.

PJE, robertosalguero, vinicio, thaprem, Elaine_Blath, goodwill, Budapestman, evanrizo, sabyasachi1212, jhm, veve, zeca, Dragonheart, Click3, Photo65Net, AiresSantos, parbo, turkamerikali, balatrek, Scharan, sid, richtersl, TeresaT has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Cormac (26449) 2006-09-28 23:08

Very nice shot! I like the incredible light of the sunset, showing the way it lights up the clouds from underneath and the brdige from the side. Good composition too, with everything nicely balanced. Well done!

ewiczek (374) 2006-09-28 23:18

wonderfull sunsine very nice capture and color:-)

PJE (19459) 2006-09-28 23:28

Ah Chris, when I opened up this posting it made me smile. Gorgous morning light capture. I love the way the clouds create a spotted fan across the sky! I also love the dark tones on the bridge too. A lovely perspective and such a delight to view this one Chris.

robertosalguero (110) 2006-09-28 23:55

I like the lines and good balance of this picture. The clouds lit by the sun have a interesting texture. They remind me of my bedroom ceiling in the morning. The location of the bridge opposite to the sun create a good balance of elements. Well done Chris. This is a beautiful sunrise picture.

Roberto

limaz (406) 2006-09-28 23:59 [Comment]

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besnard (30772) 2006-09-29 1:49

Bonjour Christopher
Superbe composition. Le soleil se reflète de belle manière sur le pont qui attire le regard. Les couleurs sont magnifiques.
Très bon travail - merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

danielswalsh (13324) 2006-09-29 3:00

Awesome shot Christopher!

The sky is amazing, the colors are vivid yet natural. The bridge is quite dark, but subtly highlighted on the sides. Good exposure, sharp detail and an appealign composition.

Well done,
- Dan

vinicio (22414) 2006-09-29 3:13

Fine image Christopher, excellent light and colors, I like also the sun reflection on the water, good note too, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

thaprem (2494) 2006-09-29 3:14

Chris,
This is quite exceptional...because, many times I have seen fantastic Sunsets in TE...they have all the drqamatic feel to them with so many colours!..But rarely I have seen such balanced, subdued yet powerful & Attractive ones such as this.
A very classy one..Again, your choice of filters are amazing!.
I have never thought about using filters so far!...Probably I shoud.Particularly looking at my results of that night time cityscape shots, coming out pathetically from my lens.

Thanks,
Prem.

tjanze (5674) 2006-09-29 3:17

Hi Christopher!
Lovely peaceful composition.I like how clouds are lighten from back side.Very good 3D effect.Colors,sharpness++.Bravo!

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2006-09-29 3:36

Hi Christopher,

excellent atmosphere, excellent colours and such a wonderful skies...all in all a superb image for me...

Take care, Ivana

rosaline (0) 2006-09-29 4:12

Hi Christopher
A well taken image with excellent perspective and depth. I love the warm light here as it brings the bridge out spectacularly. The warm light is superb and the cloud patterns are excellent. Good work.
Aubrey

Jacobp (798) 2006-09-29 4:13

hi Christopher
The best compo.Nice great shot.
I realy like this shot.
Thank you
jacob!

tabora (13638) 2006-09-29 4:29

Bonsoir Christopher,
Quelle incroyable lumière tu as réussi a capturé ici, elle se reproduit sur tout l'ensemble.
Magnifique Travail.
Amitiés Joseph

goodwill (4029) 2006-09-29 4:35

Aha Chris!!
Yes, you have shrinked the sky and is very near to the water,and its the density of the clouds spread like a big wing which creates the atmosphere of closeness.
The moment I opened the thumbnail, tthe only words wee---Aha!!!.
A orange perspective, and eyes first reach the far end then start travelling along the vehicles.
About notes---you and Sabya always excel. I read them just once and they go straight to the heart.
Chris, I do commute daily, and cover about 225 Kms every day.
Life is beautiful, demands hard work, everywhere, be in Europe or Asia.
Thanks a lot for this shot.
Cheers,
Rajeev

pablominto (40824) 2006-09-29 4:38

Hello Chris,
A wonderful composition... Strong lines!
Classical composition, cleverly done and always working...
Sunset colours are well captured, a pure beauty!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Budapestman (42128) 2006-09-29 7:14

Hi Christopher!
This is a gorgeous shot! Excellent theme and very interesting note! This is a picture beautiful! What a fascinating colours and atmosphere! Superb composition and POV! Splendid shot, indeed! Thank you, nice days
George

ahmetgedikli (21938) 2006-09-29 10:14

Hi Christopher,
Beautiful sunrise composition. Superp colors, nice sky and good perspective. Congratulations.
Greetings.
Ahmet

evanrizo (456) 2006-09-29 11:16

Oooooh Christopher, it is a wonderful image.So good composed and magical lightness, the clouds are looking unreal und so close to the earth!
A really wonderful work Chris. Thanks for share it.

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-09-29 11:52

What I like about your images is that they are not only beautiful but they also tell a story. I find your notes as fascinating as your pictures. US of A is a dreamland for many immigrants but it seems that the struggle for a better life is the same eveywhere.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

jhm (82723) 2006-09-29 15:12

Hi Christopher,

High quality picture, I like the incredible light of the sunset, also the bridge gives a nice perspective, great reflection and beautiful red sun beam too. Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice weekend,
John

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-09-29 15:16

Hi Chris,
wonderful sunset colours and the sky with those clouds is really nice. I like the inclusion of the pier into the composition.
Have a nice day,
Tomi

veve (4149) 2006-09-29 16:13

Hi Christopher!
Extremely beautiful sunset!
Great perspective and excellent cloudy sky!
Lovely warm colors and light!
Good composition and perspective!
Good note!
Regards,
Veronica

izmirli (3211) 2006-09-29 16:48

merhaba christopher.
beautiful interesting sky and lovely colours.
very good sun and light.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

poulinp (4464) 2006-09-29 23:22

Beautiful photograph, but it is especially the sky and the clouds that I like. Of course, the bridge also adds to the composition. Good work.

arjun_das (1850) 2006-09-30 11:55

hi chris,

very very pleasing shot it is indeed. colours are wonderful and the pov is great. cotton like clouds in the sky are very soothing too. tfs.

best wishes,
arjun

zeca (20026) 2006-09-30 13:11

Hi Chris!
Nice perspective! The lights are beautiful and you've done a nice framing with the sun on the right place!
Cheers!
Zeca

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-09-30 13:57

Hi Chris,
This is an excellent shot, with beautiful composition. The sky and the sun is marvelous. I love the warm light here.
Very well done
Thanks for sharing
Best regards
Vivek
:-) soon

hay_kes (28562) 2006-09-30 15:54 [Comment]

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vincz (19043) 2006-09-30 16:55

Very nice composition with the bridge on the right getting the light of the sun. The texture of the water is great and the sky is awesome. Excellent job!

king (2598) 2006-09-30 17:09

Hi Chris
Very nice picture.
Sharpness, colours, contrast, compo, all ok.
TFS
Huub.

Click3 (1871) 2006-09-30 23:21

Hola Chris...a fantastic capture...love how you captured the bridge that adds perspective and depth...the water is reflective and still...the clouds are like cotton wool - small swabs - and everything lit by that golden sun...Magic at its Best ! Muy Bueno !.
Saludos, Robert

Photo65Net (43096) 2006-10-01 11:36

Hi,
Very nice framing for this impressive pic.
The bridge on the right brings dpth to your shot.
The sky is dramatic.
Very nice.
JB.

AiresSantos (42298) 2006-10-01 14:33

Excellent POV and perspective Chris !
Fantastic colours in this beautiful composition. Lovely sky !
Thanks and greetings

parbo (10970) 2006-10-01 20:36

Hi Christopher,

Amazing reflection on water and wonderful sky full with small piece of cottons. Reflection of bridge and its columns are giving good depth to your frame. I like scarlet tones too. Congratulations.

Best Regards,

Parbo

turkamerikali (4772) 2006-10-02 12:08

Hi Chris,
Excellent photo my friend.Sky looks awesome.
I used to live in Towson,MD but I never visited Benedict:)I should..
Excellent pov,dof,colors,focus,sharpness,sky,note and framing.Well Done.TFS
Tolga

jemaflor (39465) 2006-10-02 14:05

Hi Christopher,
Very lovely composition, good depth with the perspective and the pier, excellent sun light capture.

Scharan (13951) 2006-10-03 22:40

Um espetáculo da natureza...
Composição maravilhosa, ótima perspectiva, cores e reflexo na água fascinantes. O céu , a luz estão incríveis. PARABÉNS!!!
Grande abraço,
Vera.

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2006-10-04 13:15

Hello, what a nice sunset!
Very good framing with that bridge on the right leading into the image. Creates great depth and feeling of distance. Marvellous colours, especially in the sky. Lovely all those little clouds, and some reflections in the water. Great sharpness aswell and good POV and composition, the sun is placed nice in the lower part of the photo, the sky having a big proportion in this photo is no problem at all! Great shot.

sid (228) 2006-10-06 1:20

Chris, you need to change your profile now!
Its not that you need help, its better that you start lending hand to others now brother.

Amazing coverage in this one with a lovely sky (am a big sky fan), the bridge which rather looks like a boardwalk at the first glimpse n also the shades given in by the sun.

I must admit, this is may be the very first picture i really like from a Nikon/Nikkor.

Note states your mindset and feelings very well and hence its so easy to relate the picture and your mind working behind the view finder.

Frame, composition, pov demands nothing more.
the best i like is the position and placement of sun ..every one will have to agree that its different n hence gives a better feel to the pic.

Cheers my friend.
Keep upt the good work ..n better start helping other fast :)

Sid
..

richtersl (3544) 2006-10-06 12:04

This sky is nothing short of spectacular! Your exposure is dead on.

TeresaT (10733) 2006-10-10 18:11

Hello Christopher,
A very pleasant composition of the sunset, with an amazing sky with white clouds and beautiful colours.
The bridge lead our eyes through the composition.
Regards
Teresa

balatrek (7419) 2006-10-23 16:10

Hi Christopher,

Excellent landscape, the image has fantastic colors, I like the composition, the bridge creates a good sensation of depth, the sky is of a wonderful texture, good work! TFS

Regards

José

MIG13 (0) 2006-11-08 4:41

Hi, Christopher! Very nice perspective, with great POV, colours and reflections! Well done! Regards! Miguel.

Rosa_d_MonteLua (1504) 2006-11-20 7:00

Hi Chris!
I was looking for something new in your portfolio, and I found this beauty.
Wonderful colors and luminosity. The blue and the orange made an amazing combination. Good definition and sharpness.
TFS and my best regards,
Rosa

sothy81 (8536) 2006-11-20 18:42

Hi Christopher, this is very lovely picture. Very sharp. The sky is amazing. Very pleasant and relax. Good work. Sothy

prasadpaul (291) 2006-11-30 10:26

wonderful photo, nice play of colours.the clouds are fantastic

tinamunk3 (6382) 2007-01-10 16:08

Wow, this is absolutely stunning, Christopher.

The light on the bridge - the reflections in the water and the many small clouds on the sky looks fantastic. Very well composed - simpel and nice.

:) Tina