Train Bridge in Action

I've taken many pics from my daily bike ride trip across 2nd Narrows Bridge, but I've only been able to get this shot maybe 3 times total. I think my serendipitous timing on this shot is my best thus far. Because the framing is so tight in this 4/3 aspect ratio, I couldn't crop it to my more typical 16:9 or wider. I'm still amazed at how such a small tug boat can pull a huge ship!!

My Daily Ride

It was a nice sunny day this morning after a week (or more) of solid rain, so the air was crisp and fresh, and the mountains looked beautiful with new snow.

I dusted off my Fuji track bike and headed off to work. As I was approaching my bridge, I saw a picture moment. I just had to stop and take this picture, even though I was already running behind and I only had my iPhone with me.

I dedicate this picture to my wife, as her mountain can be seen in the background, just behind the ugly red power pole. It's her local snowboard mountain. Good practice mountain.

My Ride Home

Took this picture on my iPhone on my way back home on my bike. I used my Hipstamatic camera program, John S lens, Blanko film. Its rare to catch the train not moving on the train bridge (why was it stopped I wonder....) so I had to interrupt my killer ride to take this shot. No adjustments. Straight from my phone to blog.

More Pics from the bridge

Found some older pics from last year, before I started the blog. Taken with my LX-3, which was pretty new at the time I guess. On the way home, since it's facing West......

More Bridge Pics...... I Love Fog......

I guess I should correct myself when I say 2nd Narrows Bridge pic (on previous post... and perhaps other bridge shots I've taken). These pictures are not of the 2nd Narrows Bridge ( aka "Ironworker's Memorial" ), but taken from the bridge, as I cross it every morning on the way into work...... the bridge you see here is a train bridge that crosses Burrard Inlet from N.Van and into a tunnel through Burnaby.

2nd Narrows Early Morning Fog

I was almost late for work, but I just had to stop and take a few pics. Again, I didn't have my good camera, so I didn't get the best of shots, but good enough...... I need to upgrade my work camera... my dream would be the Ricoh GR Digital III. I know, kinda overkill, but I just can't live with a bad sensored camera (1/2.5" size)..... maybe I'll pick it up in Tokyo in November.......

Day 29: Painting with Light

I know, 2 days in a row of a bridge shot. I almost posted a cool picture of a block full of fluffy cherry blossom trees that made the street look like an insane tunnel of pink leaves ...... but I just loved this shot more. This is what I was trying to get yesterday. I love the swirly cloud patterns circling the rising sun, and how the industrial smoke climbs up into the sky and tries to join the clouds.....this picture looks so much like a painting to me, it definitely felt like I was painting with light this morning as I snapped this picture....

Day 28: Sunrise or Sunset?

There is a debate if there is a light quality difference between a sunrise versus a sunset. Some claim they can tell which is which from a picture. Others claim there is no difference, the quality of the light is the same going up or down. I don't know if there really is a difference, but there is something about a sunset that I like better than a sunrise. Maybe its the idea of it being the end of the day and the sun is the last thing that keeps the day "alive" until it disappears beyond the horizon. Or maybe its because I hate getting up early, so I see much less sunrises. Well, I took today's pic on the way into work, and I have to say, the light was pretty cool. I like how the factory smoke to the left and the single cloud puff above the train bridge tower sort of contrast each other, and I like the way the light hits the railway tracks to the right of the image... reminds of a Blue Rodeo album cover..... very little post processing. Contrast, sharpen, and slight vignetting..

Day 20: 2nd Narrows Bridge

The 2nd Narrows Bridge is the bridge I must conquer to and from work every day on my bike. On the way to work is mostly downhill, but on the way back is a grind!! The McGill / Hastings Street exit sign is about the halfway mark of the hill, so when I approach it, it's a psychological marker, as I tell myself: "I'm halfway there, I've almost conquered you, you stupid bridge!!" So this time, I decided to stop and take a picture of it. As I did, a quick rider was riding up my butt really fast, so I'm happy I had a reason to stop and take this picture.... or else I'd have to jump on my pedals and make sure he couldn't catch me!!

I did a lot of post production work on this, including fake tilt-shift, equalizing shadows and highlights, contrast boost, sharpening. I also shot it because I liked the shape of the clouds that day. It was just about ready to rain on me........