Union Station Christmas Photo

Photographer’s Note

I have been away from Trek Earth for several months now (until recently), due to family matters, and I am trying to catch up a little. This photo of Denver's historic Union Station (the Lower Downtown District) has been on the backburner for awhile. I decided to post this Christmas holiday thematic photo belatedly rather than to wait another year to post it. When paople around us pass on, it is a reminder about how short life is and how we need to cherish our lives in the present moment. Therefore I am going to post this image tonight.

I used slide film with my favorite film lens, Nikon's 17-35mm zoom lens (an ultra wide-angle lens for its day) and my SB-28 speedlight (flash). The exposure was fairly long, about eight seconds, and I used Nikon's "rear-curtain sync" mode on the flash. The flash in this mode goes off on the end of the exposure. I was lucky with this shot because the car's headlights (creating the long streak on the right) passed by right when the carriage horse was distracted and looked to the left. Nightime photography is a lot of fun to experiment with. Anyway, I wish all Trek Earth members a wonderful 2008!

japiey, jjcordier, Photo65Net, Floydian, feather, xavshot, AROBN54, emjleclercq, jwmunro, JorgeCK, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

japiey (9521) 2007-12-27 19:49

Dear Stan,

An image that wishes a lovely NEW YEAR ...
It's a lesson, reading how you made this shot perfect.
Night photography is really fun, and experiments sometimes gives a good result. You got that here...
I hope the year 2008 brings in us a NEW LIGHT..
WISH YOU THE BEST.

jean paul

jjcordier (25226) 2007-12-27 22:46

Stan
Jolie composition nocturne avec ce cheval placide (bien vu le coup de flsh!) au regard réprobateur vis à vis de ses "confrères" motorisés.
Amicalement
JJ

Photo65Net (43096) 2007-12-28 2:42

Hello Stan,
Very nice night picture, with great colors and dynamics.
I like your informative note too.
Regards,
JB.

[2]

Floydian (30970) 2007-12-28 3:09

Hi Stan,
8 seconds and the horse kept his head all this long, what a luky guy who are in making this one. The image now look a but surrealistic with the trails of light on the right and the still movement on the left...impressive. Also good scanning here, rich of colour and detail...very good work.
Regards, Henk

[2]

feather (50144) 2007-12-28 7:01

Lovely seasonal photo and a shame to leave it another year. It's also sad to note that we only think about living life to the full when someone close has lost their chance to do just that.
Excellent night shot where you have demonstrated again your talent with creative flash. Amazing how the horse kept still for 8 seconds, yet the light trails show the obvious time lapse. Well done
I wish you a Happy New Year too.
Kath

[2]

xavshot (63125) 2007-12-28 7:58

Bonjour Stan
j'aime beaucoup l'ambiance de noël qui ressort de cette photo. Belles lumières et excellent cadrage. Bravo.
Xavier

AROBN54 (10789) 2007-12-28 11:16

Hi, Stan,
what a cool shot!! I am glad you chose not to wait another year to post this. It's very festive, the lighting is terrific for a night shot and you've maintained great detail. This is a perfect holiday photo!! Hoping for you peace, comfort, joy and love in the coming year!! Warmest regards,
Shelly

mesutilgim (37282) 2007-12-28 14:29

Hi dear Stan,
Wonderfull nocturnal scenery, very well captured. Great effect. Very good pov and compo.
Perfect light management.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

emjleclercq (14506) 2007-12-29 0:22

Nice lighting and perpective, excellent managmeent of the speed effect on the right which make a very strange contrast with the horse carriage on the left.

All the best,

Emmanuel

carper (65646) 2007-12-29 2:58

Hello Stan,
For some is it an easy year and for other's it's a very hard year. Believe in your own power because life go's on,
About the photo yes is's a nice one with a lot to seen, the speed the union station and the fine night shot, very nice to have you back Stan. Have a good start for you and your fanily.
gr. jaap

[2]

jwmunro (6255) 2007-12-29 7:19

Hello Stan -

Well done! I know how difficult it can be to get a good image of Union Station as I have tried on several occasions and none of my attempts have been worth the effort. Everyone mentions that the horse stood still, but you and I know that is not the case especially with "Rear Curtain" as all of the movement is washed out with the burst of light.

Thank you for sharing.

John

WepWaWet (3973) 2007-12-29 8:46

Hello Stan,
Excellent night composition. The lighting is gorgeous. POV and perspective are great.
I wish Happy New Year for you and your family too.
Regards,
Seref

ayansadhu (1499) 2007-12-29 9:00

Best New Year wishes to you also...
Keep up your fondness of night-shooting
Good showcase in this image

JorgeCK (2600) 2008-01-01 6:12

Hello Stan,
Very intersting shot. Love the night photography and I like this one alot.
Wish you and your family the best.
Regards,
joRge

jaywalker (12302) 2008-01-01 12:58

Hi Stan, A wonderful Christmas photo, the lighting has been brilliantly managed with the effect of the car lights, the horse & carriage is a stunning form of transport, very well composed indeed & all the best to you & your family for the New Year, kind regards Wilson.

scalerman (25787) 2008-01-05 8:08

S: I've been away for some time now - at least for the critiques. Nice exposure stuff here. Good to see some film around being used. Old stuff too. I'll have more time to peruse the sheaves of unseen TE images as I sort things out after 6 months in Asia. All the best, c

gunbud (28161) 2008-03-10 20:16

Hi Stan,
Beautiful nighttime scene of this horse that seems to be saying are we done for the night boss. The wonderful old railroad station in the background creates nice depth. The colors are fantastic with excellent focus. I'll bet you can get on a train here that brings you to some outstanding Rocky Mt. scenery. In NY the train from Montreal to NYC goes through the Adirondacks with Green Mts. of Vt. to the east then through the Catskills about 70 miles north of the city.
Regards, Tom