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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Winners of Exhibition > 1st: Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California
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25-AUG-2001 Paul Sumi

1st: Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California

This bridge is one of the best-known and most-photographed landmarks along famed Highway 1 in the central California coast. Taken during a photography roadtrip from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Olympus E-10
1/320s f/5.6 at 26.0mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Paul Sumi04-Mar-2004 06:06
And I should extend my last comment to Lonnit to everyone else in CTF challenge. There is a LOT of talent here and I've learned a great deal from this group.
Paul Sumi04-Mar-2004 05:51
Lonnit, I am still astonished at how well this turned out. A lot of different factors came together. This bridge is such an icon -- the entire Big Sur area is a photographer's dream. There was great light and the fog added a lot of atmosphere. We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment. The rest was in being prepared to take advantage of our good fortune.

If you had been there, I think you would have also come up with a great photograph. Perhaps not that same shot, but still a great one.
ctfchallenge04-Mar-2004 02:18
I've visited this shot so many times. It's just stupidly good. I mean it's a no-brainer to see that this is what a photograph is supposed to be. It's the kind of thing that just makes me throw my hands in the air, walk away, and say, "Who am I kidding?". Sigh.... Who could really top this anyway? Ansel Adams??? Maybe. I just want to know how I get from here to there; maybe the answer is at the other end of the bridge. :) ~ Lonnit, taking my hat off to you
Paul Sumi26-Feb-2004 18:29
Thank you, Garrett.
Garrett Lau25-Feb-2004 07:32
Simply awesome. --Garrett
Paul Sumi24-Feb-2004 17:49
Thank you, Lonnit!
Guest 23-Feb-2004 18:42
Perfect! This is one for the photography text books! ~ Lonnit
Paul Sumi22-Feb-2004 00:56
Thanks everyone for your comments. This is my favorite image from the trip. Yes, I think that the sepia tone "makes" the image. The color original was too realistic for this classic bridge and straight B&W seemed cold and harsh. I don't often use sepia, but it seemed right for this image.
ctfchallenge21-Feb-2004 23:28
A striking composition....lines, fog, and sepia tone give it a special feel. I wonder if the impact would be lost in a color shot.
Guest 21-Feb-2004 15:37
Fabulous photo. The contrast between the graphic architecture of the bridge with the amorphous quality of the fog really draws the viewer in... love it.
Sigurd 21-Feb-2004 12:43
The sepia and fog really makes this picture worthwhile. Excellent shot!
ctfchallenge21-Feb-2004 06:12
I second the motion. Beautiful moody image. Ann C
ctfchallenge21-Feb-2004 04:48
Very nice Paul! theFly