New Brighton Pier Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is New Brighton Pier which is Christchurch's water landmark. The original pier was built in 1894 which stood on the same site as the present pier. When the original pier was threatened with demolition in 1963, a group of residents formed the Pier and Foreshore Society to try to save it. However, it was unsuccessful and the pier was demolished in 1964.
In 1989 the Society committee felt that the time had come to press for a new pier. A special Pier Promotion Trust was established and was funded with a grant of $50,000. Members from the wider community - Lions, Rotarians and women's groups - were appointed to the Trust, and the long period of planning, fund-raising, with the seeking of necessary consents, began. The design concept incorporated the functional requirement that a substantial proportion of the pier's length be out over the water, even at low tide, so that people could feel close to the water while fishing or wave watching. The pier’s length is 300m from shore to the center of the terminal end which allowed for 170m of pier to be over the water at average low water spring tide. On 1 November 1997 this new pier was officially opened.
Looking at the height of the pier, I often wonder if the architect had the clever foresight (way back in the 1990’s) to incorporate the rise in sea level due to global warming when he designed this structure.

I posted the original image in the WS if you want to post your own B&W version. One thing I've learn so far with B&W medium is that it relies a lot on the subtle mixing of the different shades of black and white. The final image is also very open on how the person processing the image interprets the scene.

paura, Matthew-Watt, claire526, jstewart, axiotea, snunney, ChrisJ, ifanik, Photo65Net, gunbud, rigoletto, Paolo, dip, Budapestman, danos, Tue, Charo, Muse, JCG, jaywalker, salvator, bakes888, AiresSantos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

claire526 (1261) 2008-01-30 16:31

Hi Renier,
Black and white gives this image a touch of mystery. Like the vast body of water that never seem to end. I like the composition and the kids playing gives a soul to this nice image.
Cheers,
Claire

Matthew-Watt (4471) 2008-01-30 16:48

Hello Kiwi,

Great photo, B&W was a wise choice here! I liked the Christchurch waterfront, when I visited there was a man building a huge sand sculpture, it was very good, and he had incredible talent. It is nice to see a family running along the coastline enjoying their outing to the beach. The structure has a great dominance in the scene - it extends the depth of field, provides interesting symmetry and produces intriguing reflections in the glossy sand. Excellent balance, the image is proportional and features are well spaced and positioned. Awesome clarity and sharpness, TFS.

Matt

jstewart (1081) 2008-01-30 17:27

Hi,
I really like the B&W. The pier is dramatic and the family adds the human touch. But the right side of the image is a bit empty. Might be better to have changes the angle a bit with more of the pier extending to the right. Just quibbling! Good note.
Cheers,
John

japiey (9521) 2008-01-30 19:03

Hi Renier,

Wondrous !!! B/W image..
The foamy waves and the dark moods create a haunting feel...
Excellent composing with the kids at play.
All the best, dear friend.

jean paul

axiotea (16305) 2008-01-30 23:15

Hello Renier
Both versions are nce, but IMHO, I do like better the B&W which has more visual impact. The reflection captured in the water adding to the graphism of the vertical poles. Excellent perspective and nice luminosity.
Cheers
Marilyn

snunney (35522) 2008-01-31 1:21

Hello Renier,
A great atmosphere to this fine image heightened by the black and white treatment. The impressive pier is nicely placed in the frame whilst the figures on the beach provide a good sense of scale and add dynamism. I like the repeating reflections in the water.

jasmis (51029) 2008-01-31 1:23

Mystical atmosphere is given here. Superb place and impressive tones.
Regards.

ChrisJ (70443) 2008-01-31 2:18

Hi Renier

Good repetition of the columns & a superb upward pov in this outstanding b&w image. Wonderful lighting contrasts, with superb sharpness. Tfs!

UnTrained (0) 2008-01-31 2:41

Hi Renier,
nice play of brighter and darker lines by the waves and the long pier crossing the first. The wet sand reflecting the light and the children on it are nice. Good idea of that one in black&white.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

ifanik (20542) 2008-01-31 3:42

Hi Renier
Very beautiful b/w/ art photo
Very well framing
congratulations
Best regards
Nick

Photo65Net (43096) 2008-01-31 4:18

Renier,
Amazing mood in this dark image !
I like a lot your compo, it provides nice depth and con beautiful balance.
Very nice job,
Regards,
JB.

stefanocer (10412) 2008-01-31 5:17 [Comment]

Show Comment

jplebrun (17330) 2008-01-31 6:15

Bonjour Renier
belle composition en B/W de ce quai de mer, en regardant la hauteur on imagine la hauteur des vagues
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

gunbud (28165) 2008-01-31 7:34

Hi Renier,
I see you continue your journey down B&W Lane. Great depth is achieved as the magnificent modern span reaches toward the distant horizon. Wonderful clarity and I love the tonal changes as we peer through the legs of the pier.
Regards, Tom

Mateja (413) 2008-01-31 7:52

Very nice and mystic composition with this kind of magic light. The pier looks nice on the photo, with great enhanchement of the waves.
TFS
Mateja

Gustaw (21670) 2008-01-31 8:01

Hi, my friend!
It is very interesting view. I like your oryginal composition. It is good white and black photo. Quality is good. I like your sytuation.Well done.
Marek

jurek1951 (26162) 2008-01-31 12:40

Hi Renier,
Beautiful scene. Very good light in this shot. Nice composition.
Georg

MarianneS (14436) 2008-01-31 13:26

Hello Renier,
Very nice perspective through this impressive Pier.
It is nice to see these small kids playing and having fun, without being impressed by such a big architecture.
I really like the B&W version.
Regards,
Marianne (I will come back tomorrow)

rigoletto (26846) 2008-01-31 15:08

A pier???
Looks rather like a half-highway which ends up at sea!
I like the dramatic B&W application, and the presence of figures is very important to give an idea about the enormous size of the pier. TFS,
Deniz

Paolo (40755) 2008-02-01 1:45

Hi Renier, i like that dark view, with a strong contrast and a great depth of field along the pier!
thanks, ciao

dip (12852) 2008-02-01 2:23

Hi Renier,
very beautiful B&W shot,good framing and well composed,
the original image in the WS is also very good,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Budapestman (42876) 2008-02-01 2:40

Hi Renier,
This is great, really fantastic atmosphere with splendid composition. Very effective choice the B&W, lights are amazing. Congratulations, Have a nice weekend
George

danos (33330) 2008-02-01 5:10

Hello Renier,
very nice the perspective of this new Brighton pier with the columns to create an impressive depth of field.The choice of B/W is a good idea i think in order to bring out the details of the scenery.The little girls as her father add life in the scene.Thanks for the original photo.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

GUYOFF (899) 2008-02-01 5:28

HI THERE

RIGTH PERSPECTIV - I LIKE THIS KIND OF ATMOSPHERE

GUY

Tue (25608) 2008-02-01 6:57

Hi Renier,
The B&W was again a good choice. It's a nice beach view with a great composition, particularly because of the placement of the high pier on the left hand side. The people are a great inclusion and they add interest to the foreground. The sky is very dark, maybe a bit too dark.
Regards,
Lars

mikeo (12117) 2008-02-02 2:31

Hello Renier,

Impressive pier and much more impressive way you showed it.
Great choice of b/w colours, perfect POV and in result...

...superb photo!
Greetings
Mikeo

Charo (31851) 2008-02-03 2:45

Hola Renier,
Me gusta la oscuridad del cielo contrastando con la espuma de las olas. Gran encuadre y resolución, una imagen muy atractiva.
Cordialmente
Charo

Muse (31059) 2008-02-05 2:32

Hello Renier,
Le NB convient très bien.
Tout bon cadrage et un pov qui donne une belle profondeur à cette vue.
Bien vu les enfants qui animent la scène
Best regards
denise

Angshu (34141) 2008-02-06 0:33

Hello Renier
This is a massive pier indeed...looks more like a road which goes half way into the sea. The B&W makes this more dramatic than the original post & the people gives an idea of the scale. Beautiful tonal range...like this a lot.
Regards
Angshu

JCG (25753) 2008-02-06 11:50

Hi Renier,

I see that you are in your period black and white in this moment… I like much the side surealist of this one. All these piers form an excellent prospect and gives a good depth to the image. I like much the peaks of the waves which bring out well on the photograph. It is surprising but very pleasant. And thank you for your note.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

paura (39376) 2008-02-11 15:49

Renier,
The pier input an excellent DEP in ypour photo. The composition is also top in the nice shot.

regards

Paulo

crckt (7100) 2008-02-24 18:10

Hi Renier,
The B/W version is best here. Wonderful atmosphere captured really well just by having a perfect POV.
Well done.
Regards,
Shaeri

ekinokswest (2974) 2008-02-25 15:28

oh well we can see it end but it looks like a bridge to infinity and what s essential is you kinda gave that feeling taking the photo from its beginning. black and white is a good approach consiering waves and sky.

jaywalker (12308) 2008-02-27 13:43

Hi Renier, The white foam from the surf contrasts brilliantly with the majority of this excellent photo, such a wonderfully composed picture, I love the choice of B/W, also the design of this well structured pier that assists the depth, the little child running finishes the shot perfectly, kind regards Wilson.

NMaverick (0) 2008-04-12 4:17

Impressive low POV really attractive to the eye. The BW composition is very effective, too. Keep up the good photos.
Greetings my friend.
Nick

salvator (18943) 2008-05-01 1:24

Hi Renier,
Nice choice of b&w. Very nice sense of depth, and nice contrast. The amount of sharp details, the reflections on the wet sand, the white foams of the waves look wonderful.
Best regards. Salvator.

bakes888 (18353) 2008-06-08 2:36

Hi Renier. Nice capture. the composition is well considered and the timing is excellent with the adding good foreground interest. The reflections add another dimension to the image also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.
PS I did a WS, hope you like it.

[workshop] [compare] +

AiresSantos (42964) 2008-06-14 23:54

HI Renier
Well choosen the black and white for this very nice composition. Excellent POV and details
TFS and greetings
Aires