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#200/365 Rosalie and the kids were picking flower while I'm running around trying to shoot into the sun. If you look to the bottom left you can see my son's head sticking up.
If you are a nikon user...don't get the 50mm 1.4d, its a pile of junk. Save money and get the 50mm 1.8D or pay extra and get the newer 50mm 1.4G. It's a nightmare wide open when bright light is around (flash or sun).
Saw the new Potter movie. It was great, although not the best of the series...that title still belongs to Prisoner of Azkaban. Gary Oldman FTW!
As I was sitting on the beach watching the waves rolling in at this spot I got the Good Vibrations song from the Beach Boys in my head,
here is a version of it on youtube if interested
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2gZMNkyJo&feature=fvw
Went for a nice bike ride, riding the bike seems ot be no problem at all with the strained muscle in my leg, just have to be careful when walking but its slowly getting better
Comments appreciated, Constructive critique even more appreciated, best way for me to learn
better on B l a c k M a g i c
05/12/2009: Hit 1.000 Faves. Thanks so much!
New York is such an amazing city! I've never seen anything like the Times Square at night before. Really stunning!
Info:
New York City (officially The City of New York) is the largest city in the United States, with a metropolitan area that is among the largest urban areas in the world. The city serves as one of the world's primary global cities, exerting a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, and entertainment.
The city is also an important center for international affairs, hosting the headquarters of the United Nations.
Founded as a commercial trading post by the Dutch in 1624, it served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790, and has been the nation's largest city since 1790. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan, has been a dominant global financial center since World War II and is home to the New York Stock Exchange. Today, the city has many renowned landmarks and neighborhoods that are world famous. The city has been home to several of the tallest buildings in the world, including the Empire State Building and the twin towers of the former World Trade Center.
New York is the birthplace of many cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art, abstract expressionism (also known as the New York School) in painting, and hip hop, punk, salsa, disco and Tin Pan Alley in music. It is also the home of Broadway theater.
New York City is located in the Northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State, approximately halfway between Washington, D.C. and Boston
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan
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West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The musical's plot is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Set in New York in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the Anglo gang (Jets), falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival Puerto Rican gang's (Sharks) leader. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular; it includes "Something's Coming," "Maria," "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight," "Jet Song," "I Feel Pretty," "One Hand, One Heart," and "Cool."
The original 1957 Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and produced by Robert E. Griffith and Harold Prince, marked Stephen Sondheim's Broadway debut. It ran for 732 performances (a successful run for the time), before going on tour. The production garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical in 1957, but the award went to Meredith Willson's The Music Man. It won a Tony Award in 1957 for Robbins' choreography. The show had an even longer-running London production, a number of revivals and international success, and spawned an innovative, award-winning 1961 musical film of the same name. West Side Story is produced frequently by schools, regional theaters, and occasionally by opera companies.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story
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Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located in the Theatre District, New York (plus one theatre in Lincoln Center) in Manhattan, New York City. Along with London's West End theatre, Broadway theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.
The Broadway theatre district is a popular tourist attraction in New York City, New York. According to The Broadway League, Broadway shows sold approximately $937 million worth of tickets in the 2007-08 season.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre
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Times Square is a major intersection in Manhattan, a borough of New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. The Times Square area consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from south to north, making up the western part of the commercial area of Midtown Manhattan.
Formerly named Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed after the Times Building (now One Times Square) in April 1904. Times Square, sometimes known as the "Crossroads of the World," has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and has become a symbol of New York City. Times Square is principally defined by its spectaculars, animated, digital advertisements.
The intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street, at the south-east corner of Times Square, is the Eastern Terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States of America.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square
==================================================================
View Large On Black - Highly Recommended!
New York at night is really incredible - especially the Times Square...
Processing:
7 exposures blended using my ADRI method in Photoshop (Smart Objects), overlayed with a tonemapped version done in Photomatix and finally manual blending for the parts Photomatix couldn't get right.
#1 on explore 18/07/2009 - thanks!
26/07/08:
This has become my most interesting photo and the most interesting for New York and the USA
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From Wikipedia:
The Shrine of Remembrance, located in St Kilda Road, Melbourne, is one of the largest war memorials in Australia, and resides in Kings Domain. It was built as a memorial to the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I. It now serves as a memorial for all Australians who served in war and it is the site of annual observances of ANZAC Day (25 April) and Remembrance Day (11 November).
Beneath the Sanctuary is the Crypt containing a bronze statue of a father and son, representing the two generations who served in the two world wars. Around the walls are panels listing every unit of the AIF, down to battalion and regiment, along with the colours of their shoulder patch. The Crypt is hung with the standards of various battalions and regiments, listing their battle honours.
Details:
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (-2,-1.66.-1.33,-1,-.66,-.33,0,+.33,+.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Tripod: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod & Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head
Accessories: Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 16 July 2009 1.30pm
Post Processing:
Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Hues/Saturation Layer (yellows)
Curves layer for contrast
Noise reduction layer
LucisArt 3 SE filter
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Sharpening in Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as 2000 x 3000 JPEG
Explore: 7-17-09 (Thank you my dear Flickr friends)
When most people hear the name Daisy Mae, they think of beautiful Daisy Mae Scragg who was hopelessly in love with Li'l Abner in cartoonist Al Capp's comic strip. The Daisy Mae pictured above is one of our three calico cats. Daisy's two sisters are Lily Pad and Karma Anne. Best seen in large size view. (But if you view in large size, Daisy insists you give her a treat!!!)
Cone flowers from the park near our house. Not from our neighbor's garden this time. ;()
Happy Bokehlicious Wednesday!!!
Explore #96 July 16, 2009
The Power Of One Can Conquer All.
~~
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EXPLORE'S ABOUT INTERESTINGNESS FEATURE PHOTO
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#196/365 This shot kind of fell into my lap. While getting on an elevator I spotted the movie poster on a reflective surface with some nice lighting. If you look close you can see my wife's reflection. We won't be able to see the movie this weekend but it's ok since I have my hands full coming up with my next Harry Potter themed shot. Happy Weasley Wednesday!
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From Wikipedia:
The Shrine of Remembrance, located in St Kilda Road, Melbourne, is one of the largest war memorials in Australia, and resides in Kings Domain. It was built as a memorial to the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I. It now serves as a memorial for all Australians who served in war and it is the site of annual observances of ANZAC Day (25 April) and Remembrance Day (11 November).
Designed by architects and veterans of World War I, Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop, the Shrine is designed in a classical style, being based on the Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus and the Parthenon in Athens.
Details:
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (-2,-1.66.-1.33,-1,-.66,-.33,0,+.33,+.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Tripod: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod & Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head
Accessories: Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 14 July 2009 6.27am
Post Processing:
Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the sky
Curves layer for contrast
Noise reduction layer
LucisArt 3 SE filter
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Slightly cropped in Lightroom
Vibrance adjustment in Lightroom
Sharpening in Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as 3000 x 2000 JPEG
[Explored]
Cows can fly? Well, milk can :)
I did another session of double drops collision splashes last night. About 4hs of work, 352 photos of which 41 I got reasonable in focus, with good shape, light and colors, but none came out really outstanding as I'm looking for... well, it's always a learning process... the setup is still in place and I got new ink for tonight, let's see what I get.
Please suggest color combinations!
- - -
Vacas podem voar? Bom, leite pode :)
Fiz outra sessão de colisão de gotas na noite passada. Por volta de 4hs de trabalho, 352 fotos das quais 41 consegui razoavelmente em foco, com boa forma e cores, ms nenhuma ficou realmente excepcional como eu queria... bom, é sempre um processo de aprendizado... a tralha ainda está toda montada e arrumei tintas novas para hoje à noite, vamos ver o que consigo.
Por favor de sugestões de combinação de cores!
- - -
Featured in Light Stalking "Perfectly Timed" post.
Florabella Textures: Little Blue Book 25% (overlay), Patina 35% (overlay), Bombay 35% (overlay), Milk & Honey 35% (normal)... See my profile ♥
Explore #204, 12. Juli 2009
Kleines Entenküken mit Wassertropfen auf dem Kopf gesehen im Schlossgarten von Stuttgart.
Little duckling with waterdrops on the head, seen in the castle garden Stuttgart / Germany.
Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex
(from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Escalator from the Visitor Centre
(former Kohlenwäsche/Coal Washing)
explored:
Highest position:
#272 on Monday, July 13, 2009
The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a large former industrial site in the city of Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It has been inscribed into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since December 14, 2001 and is one of the anchor points of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
The first coal mine on the premises was founded in 1847, mining activities took place from 1851 until December 23, 1986. For decades starting in the late 1950s, the two parts of the site, Zollverein Coal Mine and Zollverein Coking Plant (erected 1957-1961, closed on June 30, 1993), ranked among the largest of their kinds in Europe. Shaft 12, built in Bauhaus style, was opened in 1932 and is considered an architectural and technical masterpiece, earning it a reputation as the "most beautiful coal mine in the world".
After it had been closed down in 1993, the coking plant was planned to be sold to China. The negotiations failed and it was subsequently threatened to be demolished. However, another project of the state of NRW set the coal mine on a list of future exhibition sites resulting in first gentle modifications and the cokery also became an official memorial in 2000.
On its 25th session in December 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared both the sites of the shafts 12 and 1/2/8 and the cokery a World Heritage Site.
for more information:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zollverein_Coal_Mine_Industrial_Com...
An American copper butterfly perches on butterfly weed at the Burden Preserve (Armonk, New York)--July 11, 2009
Music: Sigur Rós - Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur
Recently I took my camera along. This was the first shot I haven taken on Friday, 10th of July at 6:54 am.
The night was quite cold and it rained. Though when I got up the sun was shining and there were only a couple of clouds around. I left the house and walked passed our neighbour's fence. Between the fence there are some stone posts which have an even surface. The water from the last night was still on it cause the sun didn't have the strength to remove it yet.
I am sorry still to have so less time...
Seen in the Diamond District (crossing of 5th avenue and 47th street).
Shot with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 wide open.
Thanks Jack for your flattering testimonial
#6 on explore. Thanks!
Become a Fan on FaceBook for new presets and updates
for sad bokeh friday. so sad there are no capitals. yes. rly. that sad. why? well because i forgotted about them all this time.
This is Julia Lalla-Maharajh on the Fouth Plinth at Trafalgar Square in London participating in Anthony Gormley's art concept One & Other. For one hour every hour for 100 days volounteers selected by ballot will occupy the empty fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square. I have applied but so far have not been selected! You can see a live feed of each plinther here - www.oneandother.co.uk/
July 9th 2009 12.34pm
On Explore: Highest position: 84 on Saturday, July 11, 2009
Cerro Paine Grande and Cachitos del Paine (Paine Horns) covered by clouds; shot taken from Lake Pehoe....Torre del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia
Last week-end I went to the Eifel in Germany to visit my parents. Among many other things I did one very special thing:
I rode an Audi R8, 4,2 Litre, 420 HP/PS for one hour. DUDE what an amazing incredible car!!!! When you push the pedal to the medal and the 420 horses behind you begin to galopp - hell breaks loose :-)))
It was an amazing experience but you can guess that it was kind of frustrating to get back in my 75PS Golf afterwards... Bummer... :-)
See pics of the car below in the comments (picz are enlargeable).
Tune in David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When love takes over - and crank up that volume!!!
Built in 1847 by Alan Stevenson, Loch Ryan Lighthouse is still active.
Fished there and got 2 dogfish !Its All about fishing really........What a place !Priceless
Shot at my favourite place at Domburg.
Variations on Hiroshi Sugimoto's No line on the horizon... Here's the other one.
Technical info:
10 stops ND filter
f/22
ISO100
13mm
60s (1mins) exposure
Software:
Lightroom 2.0
PS CS3 - Silver Efex Pro - Red filter - Selenium toning
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"Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding".
This gull was perched on a Brighton beach hut this Saturday. The tenuous link to the quote is that it's from Jonathan Livingston Seagull; I think this is therefore a case of artistic licence :)
Have a great week!
There are so many things in life we shoul be happy about - Family, Love, Brotherhood and Friendship, just to name a few...
So come and join me! ~ let us walk through this life with a smile in our hearts :) Let's go people! :) YAHOO!
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EXPLORE #29. Thank You!
These little larva will metamorhasize into sawflies. First they must put on some chow. To do so they consume pine needles and can rapidly strip a small tree. When alarmed they raise up as seen in this photo. My wife says their little red heads look like baseball caps.
"You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know." Abolitionist William Wilberforce
I'd like to add that some people have suspected that this was a Photoshop trick. Believe it or not these larva like to stick together. I have seen large numbers congregate to eat one little pine tree. Don't know why they do it but they move in synchronized way. It is probably a defensive mechanism of behavior. Look in the group behavior album to the bottom right to see more shots of insects gathering in groups.
About this photo:
I really thought I had already posted this photo, but I couldn't find it in my photostream. So, I guess I didn't *shrug*.
This is a picture from Playa de Muro in 2007.
About the process:
This is a HDR image. I also allowed Photoshop to automatically adjust the highlights and shadows, then I set the adjusted layer to Overlay blending mode to brighten the shadows and emphasize the shapes.
© Copyright Arielle Kristina
My youngest of three boys, the easy going one and proof with enough practice you can get it right (even in parenting).
This is the dress for our region (Marche-Italy) in winter.
BIG, BIG Thanks for all your comments and notes. :))
"...El sobrepuesto de carpincho en la actualidad se usa relativamente pequeño (58 x 90 cm) obedeciendo al acortamiento general del recado moderno (en la Provincia de Buenos Aires). Las puntas se usan rectangulares pero redondeando el extremo. Antiguamente era usual utilizarlos en punta estrictamente rectangular.
Este tipo de sobrepuesto combina perfectamente con un recado de sogas (riendas, cabezada, bozal, cabresto y estriberas de cuero crudo), y unos estribos arequeros o de suela. En ocasiones se lo ve en emprendados de plata pero en recados de bastos, ya que en los chapeados antiguos (recado de lomillo) se ven los lujosos de terciopelo o hilo..."
Fragmento de "Dos prendas tradicionales: El estribo arequero y el sobrepuesto de carpincho", de Lucas Morganti
San Antonio de Areco, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Amigos, visitem: www.visiteareco.com
Another shot from the little walk I did on Saturday, Liked how the sun made the butterfly wings almost transparent.
Just went for a little walk down the block to test my leg muscle and no pain on the walk, can feel the tightness but if I walk slowly and carefully seems to be OK, so will head back to work tomorrow
Comments appreciated, Constructive critique even more appreciated, best way for me to learn
better on B l a c k M a g i c</a
Explore Highest position # 80 on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The above photo is a late afternoon scene at an old temple named Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai, northern part of Thailand. The temple was built in 1371 which was 638 years ago. The golden Chedi or Pagoda is where some of the relics of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. The group of monks on the right are describing the temple history to the foriegn visitors, which make the composition better.:)
วัดสวนดอก หรือวัดบุปผาราม จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ สร้างขึ้นเมื่อปี พ.ศ. 1914 เพื่อให้เป็นที่จำพรรษาของพระมหาเถระสุมน ผู้ประดิษฐานพระพุทธศาสนาลัทธิลังกาวงศ์ในล้านนา วัดนี้แต่เดิมเป็นพระราชอุทยานของกษัตริย์ล้านนาไทยสมัยแรกเริ่ม มีสถาปัตยกรรมสำคัญ คือ เจดีย์ประธานเป็นเจดีย์ทรงกลม กู่บรรจุอัฐิเจ้าตระกูล ณ เชียงใหม่ และวิหารโถง นอกจากนี้ ยังเป็นที่ประดิษฐานพระเจ้าเก้าตื้อ ซึ่งพญาเมืองแก้วโปรดให้หล่อขึ้น เป็นพระพุทธรูปสำริดขนาดใหญ่ ศิลปะล้านนาผสมกับศิลปะสุโขทัย
พ.ศ. 2538 สภามหาวิทยาลัย มหาจุฬาลงกรณมหาวิทยาลัย ตามข้อเสนอของวิทยาลัยสงฆ์ล้านนา และให้ชื่อเรียกเป็นทางการว่า “มหาจุฬาลงกรราชวิทยาลัย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ วิทยาเขตเชียงใหม่” จึงทำให้วัดสวนดอกกลับเป็นศูนย์กลางการศึกษาอีกครั้งหนึ่ง ในประวัติศาสตร์ของล้านนาไทย ปัจจุบัน มหาจุฬาลงกรณราชวิทยาลัยฯ วิทยาเขตเชียงใหม่สามารถผลิตบัณฑิตทางพุทธศาสตร์ สังคมศาสตร์ ครุศาสตร์ และมนุษยศาสตร์
Exposure: 1/180 sec, Aperture: f/16, Focal Length: 24 mm, ISO: 200
Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Three exposures HDR, No tripod. Layers blended, light and color work in PS.
(No multi invitations please.:))
I took this with Martin. I'm not sure if should post this, because I don't really like this photo..
But anyway, the guy on the right with the tambourine used to play the accordion from the guy on the left at my local supermarket, so I 'know' him for a long time and I wanted to make a photo from him too for a long time :)
"Night and day the river flows. If time is the mind of space, the Colorado is the soul of the desert. Brave boatmen come, they go, they die, and the voyage flows on forever. We are all canyoneers. We are all passengers on this little living mossy ship, this delicate dory sailing round the sun that humans call Earth." Edward Abbey, The Hidden Canyon: A River Journey, 1999
"For the first time, I felt I was getting close to the West of my deepest imaginings, the place where the tangible and the mythical became the same." Edward Abbey
Here Faye Atkinson is rowing. I rafted with Arizona Raft Adventures AZRA.
View Large on Black
fiveprime.org/blackmagic.cgi?id=3673194233&url=http:/... User;photo_number=500;photo_type=100;sort=Date Posted, new first;page=1;tag_mode=all;blackmagic=l;notarget=1#pic3673194233&user=&flickrurl=
Music: PeterLicht - Die Geschichte vom Sommer
Today was the first hotter day in quite a while. So a friend and me had a beer in the garden, of course not without a cold beer :-)
We used only one beer bottle. The beer as already open, Thomas just flipped the cap away (with the lighter). It was only the second try!
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London | Architecture | Night Photography
EXPLORE # 252
I was really impressed with these clouds over the Albert Bridge, just before the thunderstorm in London...
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A cloud is a visible mass of droplets or frozen crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body. A cloud is also a visible mass attracted by gravity, such as masses of material in space called interstellar clouds and nebulae. Clouds are studied in the nephology or cloud physics branch of meteorology.
On Earth the condensing substance is typically water vapor, which forms small droplets or ice crystals, typically 0.01 mm in diameter. When surrounded by billions of other droplets or crystals they become visible as clouds. Dense deep clouds exhibit a high reflectance (70% to 95%) throughout the visible range of wavelengths. They thus appear white, at least from the top. Cloud droplets tend to scatter light efficiently, so that the intensity of the solar radiation decreases with depth into the gases, hence the gray or even sometimes dark appearance at the base.
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Albert Bridge is a Grade II* listed road bridge over the River Thames in West London, connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south bank. Designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish in 1873 as an Ordish–Lefeuvre Principle modified cable-stayed bridge, it proved to be structurally unsound, and so between 1884 and 1887 Sir Joseph Bazalgette incorporated some of the design elements of a suspension bridge. The Greater London Council carried out further strengthening work in 1973 by adding two concrete piers, which transformed the central span into a simple beam bridge. As a result of these modifications the bridge today is an unusual hybrid of three different design styles.
Built as a toll bridge, it was commercially unsuccessful; six years after its opening it was taken into public ownership and the tolls were lifted. The tollbooths remained in place however, and are the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London. Nicknamed "The Trembling Lady" because of its tendency to vibrate when large numbers of people walked over it, signs at the entrances warn troops from the nearby Chelsea Barracks to break step while crossing the bridge.
Incorporating a roadway only 27 feet (8.2 m) wide, and with serious structural weaknesses, the bridge was ill-equipped to cope with the advent of the motor vehicle during the 20th century. Despite the many calls for its demolition or pedestrianisation Albert Bridge has remained open to vehicles throughout its existence, other than for brief spells during repairs, and is one of only two Thames road bridges in central London never to have been replaced. The strengthening work carried out by Bazalgette and the Greater London Council was unable to prevent further deterioration of the bridge's structure. A series of increasingly strict traffic control measures have been introduced to limit its use and thus prolong its life, making it the least busy Thames road bridge in London except for the little-used Southwark Bridge. The bridge's condition is continuing to degrade however, as the result of traffic load and severe rotting of the timber deck structure caused by the urine of the many dogs using it as a route to nearby Battersea Park.
In 1992 Albert Bridge was rewired and painted in an unusual colour scheme designed to make it more conspicuous in poor visibility, and hence avoid being damaged by collisions with shipping. At night it is illuminated by 4,000 bulbs, making it one of West London's most striking landmarks.
In 1990, the tidal flow system was abandoned and Albert Bridge was converted back to two way traffic. A traffic island was installed on the south end of the bridge to prevent larger vehicles from using it. In the early years of the 21st century the Chelsea area experienced a growth in the popularity of large four-wheel drive cars (so-called Chelsea tractors), many of which were over the two-ton weight limit; it was estimated that 1⁄3 of all vehicles using the bridge were over the weight limit.[27] In July 2006 the 27-foot (8.2 m) wide roadway was narrowed to a single lane in each direction to reduce the load.[28] Red and white plastic barriers have been erected along the roadway in an effort to protect the structure from damage caused by cars.[29]
Between 1905 and 1981 Albert Bridge had been painted in a uniform green colour and in 1981 was repainted yellow, but in 1992 it underwent significant redecoration and rewiring.[30] Partially as a result, it is now a major West London landmark. The bridge is painted in a scheme of pink, blue and green, intended to increase visibility in fog and murky light and hence reduce the risks of shipping colliding with the fragile structure during the day.[31] At night, a network of 4,000 low-voltage tungsten-halogen bulbs illuminate the bridge. In 1993 the innovative use of long-life low-energy lighting was commended by Mary Archer, at the time Chairwoman of the National Energy Foundation.[17] Its distinctive and striking current appearance has led to its being used as a backdrop for numerous films set in the Chelsea area, such as Absolute Beginners, Sliding Doors and Maybe Baby.[26]
4,000 bulbs illuminate Albert Bridge at night.Except for Tower Bridge, built in 1894, Albert Bridge is the only Thames road bridge in central London never to have been replaced.[9] Despite being intended as a temporary measure to be removed in 1978, the concrete central piers remain in place,[17] and although in 1974 its lifespan was estimated at a maximum of 30 years, the bridge is still standing and still operational.[25] Albert Bridge was given protection as a Grade II* listed structure in 1975, granting it protection against further significant alteration without consultation.[32] Despite this, it continues to deteriorate. Although proposals have been drawn up by Kensington and Chelsea Council to repair and rescue it,[29] as of March 2008 funds for the repairs were unavailable.[33] As well as structural damage caused by traffic, the timbers underpinning the deck are being seriously rotted by the urine of dogs crossing it to and from nearby Battersea Park.[34][n 4] With multiple measures in place to reduce traffic flow and prolong the life of the bridge, as of 2009 it carries approximately 19,000 vehicles per day, the lowest usage of any Thames road bridge in London other than the little-used Southwark Bridge.[35]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bridge,_London
London ~ Cloud spotter ~
a bird beautiful, elegant and graceful outfielder high level he has a movement of the wings very slender and full of grace
This will be in the 2011 Nature Conservancy 2011 calendar!
Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!
support.nature.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bestnature200...
And this photo is in the 2010 nature Conservancy calendar for November:
www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/275016883...
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Here is a 30-second slice of the history of Yosemite's glacier-formed and weather eroded Half Dome. As I watched the clouds streak by, I could really imagine how this place was formed over the eons. No HDR.
See the 1200 pixel version!
www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/366544232...
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Settings etc.:
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Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40L @ 19 (very wide to get it all into the frame)
30-second exposure @F13
Hoya ndx-400 10-stop filter - Very dark for long exposures in daylight.
2 hours before sunset when the light is still on the cliff face.
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm) 0.9 + 0.75
Lee foundation kit filter holder with Lee 77mm adapter ring
No polarizer. I wanted reflections in the water
ISO 100 (a higher ISO to keep it at 30sec-F13 where the lens is very sharp)
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop
The clouds were moving quickly over the top of Half Dome, and the light looked good on the rock face. So I put on my dark filter to make a long exposure. Over the course of 30 seconds, the clouds moved a lot and the shadows of the clouds made for some good light across the face of the cliffs. And the moving trees and reflections softened in the reflected light from above.
This part of The Tenaya River is called Mirror Lake because is is often calm and reflective. But the wind softened the light falling on the water. The long exposure shows that soft light much better than a shorter one which would show the frozen choppy water. Sometimes a long exposure feels more realistic than a shorter one!
I do have some shots that are completely reflective when the wind calmed down. The effect is striking too.
The map shows exactly where this is. It is a 1-mile hike from the nearest road.
See my Flickr profile for a link to my newly designed website.
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