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Spectacle! (Revised)
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
On Saturday two huge cranes destined for the Port of Oakland were transported beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland-Bay Bridge on the way to their final destination. The cranes easily passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, but the passage beneath the Bay Bridge was quite a bit tighter. The time of passage was carefully scheduled so the Bay would be at low tide. It was estimated there would be no more than a five foot clearance beneath the bridge. Transportation officials were enough concerned about the possibility of problems, that they closed the Bay Bridge shortly before the scheduled arrival of the ship transporting the cranes.
I learned about the great event earlier that morning and decided it would be worth checking out. I knew of a pier on the Oakland waterfront that would provide a good vista of the event and departed Marin. Traffic was moving slowly but I was able to arrive at the waterfront with a bit of time to spare. I was surprised when I arrived at the parking lot serving the small waterfront park to find it filled with cars. I wedged my car into an open area and quickly gathered my gear. I noticed many folks with cameras slung over their shoulders and understood immediately that I was not going to be alone on that pier. As I walked along, surrounded by folks with cameras I came upon one man with a fishing pole. I joked, "Five hundred cameramen and one fisherman!" Everyone laughed.
This shot was taken shortly after the ship loaded with cranes passed beneath the bridge. In the foreground you see a barge to which are tied the tugboats that would eventually guide the ship to its berth not too far to the right of where I stood. You will note the helicopter hovering above the ship. News photographers were everywhere. Here is an article on the subject from the San Francisco Chronicle called Huge cranes clear Bay Bridge by 5 feet on trip to Oakland.
For the next couple of days I'll post some photos of the folks who shared the pier with me on Saturday, most focused on the cranes but a few intent on their fishing. All seemed to enjoy the spectacle a great deal. Hope you do as well.
(This is the one photo that I've regretted since it was posted over a year ago. I'm reviewing old files as I clean up my hard drive and came across the images captured on this particular day. I'd like to believe my skills in post processing have improved, so I took another crack at this pathetic original. I'm pleased with the new version and share it with all of you...) |
Galeota, Rinie_Hoff, wanderlust has marked this note useful
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Hi Curtis,
This is surely an impressive photo of a very singular event. Your point of view is spectacular and you’ve catch the circus perfectly. The buildings of San Francisco provide a great background for the ship, tugboat and cranes to come out against. Great catch of the helicopter near the bridge.
I’ve look at your original version and as a matter of fact, your Photoshop skills have improved dramatically and it worth a new post for sure.
Excellent work!
André
- erdna
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 839 W: 70 N: 984]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4839) - [2006-08-05 11:43]
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A very impressive photo of a "white knuckle" time when the barge passed under the bridge. i like the helicopters and the seagull joining you in the "watch". i read about this in the Contra Costa papers.
Andre'
Pffffffffff. A pic taken with a digital rebel and an f4 cheap (although white) L lens?? Come con Curtis, spare us and upload something taken with the Ferrari on the Rolls Royce mount.
The touch of red brought by the helicopter is great. It gives warmth to the otherwise cold tonalities of the scene. Nice square choice for the composition.
Best
Hi Curtis,
Well, it's obvious that yo have made a great leap forward in your PP-work, no doubt about, and I can imgaine that you wanted to repost this one. There's a cool atmosphere in the picture, and I like the condensed feeling because of the telelens. Both the soaring elements, the helicopter and the seagull are very nice, and it indeed is an impressive transport. Nice light effect on the 'necklace of old tires' around the tuckboat.
Yes, how about that new lens?...;-)
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- jassy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 19 N: 308]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1061) - [2006-10-23 21:45]
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Hello Curtis,
I am sooooo impressed. Your PP is wonderful! I have been trying and trying to get decent shots of SF from Oakland/Alameda, to pretty much dismal failure. I am happy to see that there is perhaps hope for me, if I but study and practice and practice some more. Your shot was basically great to begin with - especially the capture of the helicopter and the bird, and I like your framing and composition - and the Photoshop work is magnificant!
Regards, Jackie
