Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, a photo from Hampshire, England

Photographer's Note

This is Pompey's Spinnaker Tower, taken from the opposite side of Portsmouth Harbour in Gosport, where I live. We reckon over on the "wrong" side of the harbour that we've got a better view of it than Pompey residents have. Cold evening, but full moon was not to be missed.

Spinnaker Tower is a 170-metre (560 ft) landmark tower in Portsmouth, England, UK. It is the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, which was supported by a National Lottery grant. Its shape was chosen by Portsmouth residents from a selection. The tower, designed by local firm HGP Architects and the engineering consultants Scott Wilson and built by Mowlem, reflects Portsmouth's maritime history by its being modelled after a sail. The tower was opened on 18 October 2005.

The tower, at a height of 170 m above sea level, is 2 1⁄2 times as high as Nelson's Column, making it the tallest accessible structure in the United Kingdom outside London. The tower is visible for miles around Portsmouth, changing the horizon of the area. It can be seen from the Isle of Wight, and even Selsey Bill.
The tower represents sails billowing in the wind, a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping steel arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design. At the top is a triple observation deck, providing a 350° view of the city of Portsmouth, Langstone and Portsmouth harbours, and a viewing distance of 37 kilometres (23 mi). The highest of the three observation platforms, the crow's nest, has a wire mesh roof, allowing visitors to be in the elements. Windows extend to above head height, so it is not possible to get a view unobstructed by glass. The glass floor is the largest in Europe. The tower has a design lifetime of 80 years.

The design is similar to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, whose structure is a little less than twice as tall at 323 metres (1,060 ft). In 2006, the tower won the RICS Project of the year award and the RICS Regeneration award.

(Wikipedia)

No_One, CLODO, kathryn_weir has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mjw364 (1466) 2013-01-19 3:32

Hello Will

Well I think this is a great shot. Wel composed but more importantly great capture of the lights and the moon. Not an easy thing to do and I can see a slight graininess in the sky(don't know whether that is my laptop monitor though because you only used ISO 200? Or was the graininess post-processing?). More to the point I think that this is one of those images that works far better in b n w than colour and I hope the TE prejudice towards b n w doesn't stop people recognising what a cracking image this is.

TFS

Mike

Romano46 (18472) 2013-01-19 3:36

Ciao Will,
Un ottimo Bianco e nero ben contrastato e realizzato con molta cura.
La luna fa da ottimo contrappunto al soggetto principale dando alla composizione un equilibrio perfetto.
Cia e buon fine settimana
Romano

kasianowak (17672) 2013-01-19 4:38

Hi Will
Great idea for a b&w dusk shot. I like the composition. The moon is a nice touch!
Best wishes
Kasia

No_One (4) 2013-01-19 8:21

Hi Will,
What a class building! One we dont see very often, certainly not as often as we should given its unique design, and impressive appearance. I didnt know about being the highest outside London, so thanks also for the brilliant note. This really does look excellent in B&W, the moon adding another great element to the shot.
The boats on the water in the foreground for some reason reminds me of the classic Chinese paintings of ships in harbour, it has that lovely soft feel to it like them.
All the best
Noel

Royaldevon (85674) 2013-01-19 12:36

Hello Will,

I posted a shot of this quite iconic tower a while ago but, whilst your shot has so much mood and glitz from the illuminations, mine was in full sun, taken from the cross-channel ferry.
I love how the slow shutter speed has iced the water with the reflections. The moon makes a good balance to the shadowy boat, both strongly placed in the frame.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
I have never done a lot of night photography. It is something that I keep trying to persuade myself to attempt!

CLODO (45116) 2013-01-20 3:11

Hi Will

very good title to the picture! I am surprised that the 2 boats are not blurred, and I appreciate the monument lighted and the full moon.
B&W is suited.
cheers
CLODO

Nicou (193806) 2013-01-21 7:48

Hello

avec la lune et ces reflets quelle vue et image quel captage et ocmpo grandiose image et captage superbe vue quelle tour de construction architecturale moderne et quelle ambiance et mystère sublime.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

Silvio1953 (220717) 2013-01-22 0:30

Ciao Will, fascinating nocturne shoot with fantastic tower, great exposure, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Juzo (2151) 2013-01-28 4:11

Hi Will,
My first thought was 'this looks like Dubai'. It is a striking piece of architecture. The light and composition are well balanced. Now Pompey have to work out what's going on with their football team... :)
Cheers
Justin

sevy (58) 2013-03-07 6:53

Hello,

For me it is new, I was not aware of such tower in Portsmouth, only the one in the Emirate. At first look before reading Portsmouth, I was thinking it was in Dubai.
I like your idea of composition with the Moon included to balance the frame filling.
The timing of the shot is too late to allow to get enough details in the shadow areas, but sometimes we have not the choice. So it is becoming more important the work on the composition as you did.

Yves.

GyurMaster (24682) 2014-01-08 8:09

Its my favourite among your photos. Excellent composition with the Moon. Congratulations for this photo!

Best Regards,
György

kathryn_weir (2056) 2014-04-15 18:11

Hi Will
Ok, I admit I did a double take when I read this was in the UK as I initially assumed it was the Middle East......obviously we need more fine shots like this out there in the media to advertise its existence. This is a great capture and works perfectly in the B and W format.
That great moon perfectly positioned and the moon light reflected on the water.....to die for!
Great capture, congrats
Regards
Kathryn