Monday, October 09, 2006

By lunar light

This photograph was taken two and a half hours after sunset. It is lit completely by moonlight. The amazing thing to me is that the colors of the day are still there in the dark, our eyes just can’t see them in the diminished light. I guess I should know that, but experience tells me the night sky is black, not blue. But 480 seconds of exposure on film tells otherwise.

That misty stuff is the rolling waves of Lake Michigan. In the distance is the pier from the last couple of photos posted. The pinkish glow on the horizon to the left are from lights in the city of Wilmette, Illinois.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2006 James Jordan.

9 comments:

Dave said...

I really like the effect that a long exposure has on the waves. As I said I thought it was a mist. Its interesting that you still use film cameras and haven't gone to digital.

Anonymous said...

Gotta love these long exposure images. This one sure is no exception. Great job.

Sheila said...

James, I come here every day to see your latest work and appreciate the fact that you post so regularly. I forwarded to link to flickr to the creatives (editors and designer types) in my family who tell me they are absolutely amazed by your work. Where did you learn to make such wonderful photos? I ask because I have a high school senior with an interest in photography more as a hobby than as an avocation although he's won several awards at our state fair for his work.

Anonymous said...

It is interesting to see the sky. It looks like an afternoon image. I wish more of teh water is the midwest was not brown.

James said...

davem, I'm a bit surprised myself that I still shoot film. I think one thing that gives my photos a unique characteristic is the fact that they're captured on film, then corrected/enhanced digitally.

Or maybe I'm just too set in my ways.

rob, I'm experimenting lately with longer exposures and like the effects I'm getting.

sheila, glad you enjoy my pictures. I've been at this for about eight years. Basically I started by reading what other top photographers do, then emulated them. About a year or so ago, I began to develop my own style based on what I had learned over the first five or six years. The self-induced pressure of posting nearly every day has really been a help, I think, in my development as a photographer.

nick, I feel the same way about the water here in the Midwestern U.S. Lake Superior is nice and blue, but Lake Michiagn can be pretty murky.

Hillary said...

Beautiful shot! I can't believe that's moonlight. Very cool.

Marion said...

This photo is so beautiful...I love the golden brown light!

Chris Pittock said...

I'm asounded that there is so much detail and colour. You wouldn't believe it if you hadn't seen it.

Out of interest, what film did you use?

James said...

hi, chris. I'm wanting to get out and do some more of this. I used Fujicolor Reala film for the night shots. I use all Fuji. I'm pleased with the colors I get from it.

Thanks for stopping by!