Keep the Lights On

Tried a small photo project at sunset earlier this week. I drive past these power lines coming home from work and was trying to find a compelling way to present them. Critiques welcome, but I'd really appreciate ideas on how to make a better presentation of the image... angle, position, framing, etc.

I may be able to stand at the other end and catch sunrise - not sure yet - but sunset is way off to the right.

Then I'll redo 'em with a tripod!

1. F11 @ 1/125 and ISO 100. 105mm. Tiffen CPF.

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I like the second shot the best, I think the angle is the most compelling. The first, none of the structures stand out, and the third I don't care for the colors. I do like the perspective though but not as much as I like two.

I think in two the sun is bright, I think what might be interesting is close up with part of one taking the frame, and the one is not completely in the frame until three or four 'towers' down. Then put that one in focus, rather than focus on the closest ones, if that makes any sense trying to explain what I see.

I love the subject matter, I like architecture, but I haven't had great opportunties to shoot much of it lately. I also love infrastructure, power lines, water towers, switching plants, water treatment, etc. all the things that we take for granted but count on to be there. They seem under represented so thanks for posting these!

2nd an d 3rd are awesome. x2 on the subject matter. I love architecture shots and specially shots like Laurence Aberhart (Kiwi Photographer).

Glad I stumbled across this thread! I was starting to worry about my recent obsession with a similar view of power lines close to my home.
I actually like the first one the most. Seems to exhibit the enormity of the towers as well as the engineering of the trusses giving them strength. All nice shots though!

#1 doesnt do much for me.
I really like the top 2/3rds of #2. I would either brighten the exposure of the black area a bit so you could see just a hint of the foreground detail, or crop a large portion of it out.
#3 is nice, I just keep wanting to look at that single branch at the left edge, I'd crop it in some so you have a constant false horizon.

Ephur wrote in post #12399230
....I think what might be interesting is close up with part of one taking the frame, and the one is not completely in the frame until three or four 'towers' down. Then put that one in focus, rather than focus on the closest ones....

Great idea. I must have had blinders on and only took shots with smaller apertures. I'll check out the DOF Master and see how to pull this off with the higher focal lengths... It'll be a cool effect.

thirdkid wrote in post #12399294
....specially shots like Laurence Aberhart (Kiwi Photographer).

I'll check those out; appreciate the pointer.

tsa wrote in post #12399391
Glad I stumbled across this thread! I was starting to worry about my recent obsession with a similar view of power lines close to my home.
I actually like the first one the most. Seems to exhibit the enormity of the towers as well as the engineering of the trusses giving them strength. All nice shots though!

Gotta say that this post, and the others, energized me. Thanks for the kind words because they so often mean more than we expect.

T3 Heavy Shop wrote in post #12399501
.... #2. I would either brighten the exposure of the black area a bit so you could see just a hint of the foreground detail, or crop a large portion of it out...

Funny... my trial of LR3 ran out that evening after I had taken the shots, so missed the opportunity to bring out lighting in the foreground. I''ll fix that shortly. I think I'll try out HDR, too, for the first time.

I''ll fix that shortly. I think I'll try out HDR, too, for the first time.[/QUOTE]

I was just going to suggest HDR!!

We have powerlines with a sunset through them too, and like others here I was worring, coz every time storm or awsome sunset approched I'd be up there with my camera- scary but cool.
HDR may just bring out the grass, I havn't done too much HDR, think sometimes it is overcooked, but on this instance it would work great!
We should start a 'powerlines' photo thread for all us powerline enthusiests!

Lou.
'

Whoopsm and I like the second one best for perspective.

Lou.

Great series.

Number 2 is my fav. The power lines lead your eye into the image and off into the distance. Great composition.

Number 1 has part of the first tower chopped off which takes away from it for me. Overall I think you presented them well though.