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Alan K | all galleries >> Galleries >> Hanging out in my PAD 2010 > 100305_124207_6131 Big Red Bus (Fri 05 Mar 10)
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05-Mar-2010 AKMC

100305_124207_6131 Big Red Bus (Fri 05 Mar 10)

Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW

Oiiiyyy this shot gave me problems, and I'm not even sure that the end result was worth it. I've had it in mind for a couple of weeks.

Attempt 1: A sunny day, but the contrast from the tree shadows was too extreme. Attempt 2: Not wide enough using the 24-105. Attempt 3: Too blurry at full size because I couldn't get the shutter speed fast enough to freeze the motion of the bus. (That was perhaps a little "detail oriented" since by the time it was shrunk down to web size, you couldn't notice it.)

This one has the same problem (but less of it), though it's difficult to overcome. The 10-22 isn't an I.S. lens, and I had to shoot between the bars of the railing fence along the escarpment. Using a tripod would be tricky (I even had to remove the lens hood to get between the rails), even if I had one with me. There's therefore no easy way to avoid some camera movement, though I braced against the railings and used a burst shot to minimise the effect of the shutter press. I cranked the ISO up but was a bit prejudiced about opening up beyond f/8 since I wanted a long DOF; not sure if that was the right call. In the end I still couldn't get it faster than 1/200th.

Also, the earlier shots had more people in the café to make things a little more interesting, though admittedly I lucked out with the guy in the yellow top's choice of clothing today.

Oh, and a big hello to the security desk genius from the Channel 7 building opposite who, while I was waiting for the bus to arrive, found it necessary to step outside, bellow "hoy maaayte!", and make an "I can see you gesture" then keep a periodic watch on me as if I was busted while about to launch a nuclear attack on his building (which would immeasurably raise the standard of TV programming in Australia, may I add) or in some other suspicious activity. I was standing on a hill with a camera. What do you think I was up to, brainiac? I swear, if I see that loon again I'm going to stick on the biggest telephoto I have with me and start taking shots of him while pretending to talk into my mobile. That should really fry his paranoid little brain.


other sizes: small medium large original auto
Bill Reed08-Mar-2010 12:53
Great image, the coloring makes it really stand out and the detail is interesting. I actuallly think the lack of people helped offset the "sightseeing"
Mairéad05-Mar-2010 20:48
You're planning has been rewarded with this fine shot looking down on the sightseers. The selective colouring
really makes this and the brightly clothed pedestrian is a nice touch.
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