Opera in a dream

looks like a bubble

isn't this a bubble?

This is a lamp. the others in the street are also visible

Why is the bottom cropped so awkwardly? To get rid of all the tourists from the photo?

Somehow, shooting the Sydney Opera House is not very easy. In the sense, that, it is not very easy to get a unique perspective to it. Probably, the fact that it has been photographed by so many just adds to it.

Last week I finally managed to get a shot of it that I am happy with. It happened somewhat by accident. After walking around Circular Quay right up to this point, I decided to sit down and enjoy the crisp cool air and views of the Harbour Bridge. When I turned back around to get up and leave, this composition struck me. The sound of the shutter never felt better.

(edit)
Thanks for the overwhelming response to this shot - it has hit #1 on Explore today!
... and become my most viewed and faved shot! :-)

See more black on blue.

Sydney, Australia
2006

Arjun Purkayastha • travel & fine art photography •

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Comments

← prev 1 2 3 next →

(290 comments)

Lalalian says:

Gorgeous! Everything about this is lovely {:->
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

sjbmuse says:

Well worth the wait.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Ursula Pfitzer says:

Magnificent! I love the bue and the orbs of light framing the bottom, curving up at the right.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

jot.de says:

perfect title, the blue is amazing and the framing with the lights is just excellent!!!!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

fataetoile/ Cinzia Rizzo says:

Fantastica!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

aumbody images says:

Stunning shot, love the composition and blue tones!!!! Fabulous!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

conmike12 says:

I really like the blue tint.Along with the structure itself, it gives a very "other worldly " appearance
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Nil! says:

very beautiful.
I loved the blue.
=)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

northreflections says:

Interesting shot ... Arjun,
You hit the shutter right on the sensor and yes when I see shots of the Opera House I do find them boring because it has been over shot always at the same angle. This is refreshing and I do like the symetry with lights on the parallel and then moving to the right upper corner. Makes my eye follow the photo easily
Brien
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rettop says:

Excellent shot Arjun. You never cease to re-discover new views of old places.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

baby7 says:

Great and perfect blue!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Nicki817 says:

Love that color!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

suburbanvoodoo says:

Very nice image - a totally different perspective on the SOH..!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

solarider says:

Amazing blue - perfect capture. Well worth the wait :-)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

lakewentworth says:

Great composition and color!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

*Perikita says:

Lovely treatment and composition...
That building is just wonderful...

Have a nice weekend :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

wyk says:

very nice and speical angle!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

photofool says:

beautiful. love the blue tones. the curve line formed by the street lights(?) is a nice touch.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

victor_nuno says:

I personally like very much this perspectitve. Not only this, but colors and light. Nice one!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Omar Junior says:

perfect
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan65 says:

A very special shot, and as you say yourself, not easy considering the millions of SOH pictures taken every year. I particularly like the run of street-lights from the right of the picture turning the curve towards the Opera House.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

pj58 says:

its lovely!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

bonsaibutterfly [deleted] says:

Wonderful!! Just saw this in explore.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lauren98 says:

Very unique and beautiful shot! Love the blue color!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

nathan_saksena says:

Great capture! Love the composition and the whole way of looking at Opera House. I have many photos with very different perspective of the Opera House but have ot posted them Did'nt know you are in Sydney. Hope you are having a nice time. Need anything e-mail me.
Nitin
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

aroo.... says:

great one, awesome... well thats realllly awesome
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

MicheKerr says:

Nice! Love the perspective and color.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

jaxybelle says:

Very nice to see something a little different when it come to the Opera House - lovely light and colour.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Burlingamebarley says:

A different, wonderful view!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

aguilarphotographer.com says:

so beautiful! The warm blue sky really makes this photo special.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

SkooterVA says:

Excellent shot!
The curvature of the street lamps offer a nice balance to the composition and are well placed in the darkness.
Is it possible to give the lamp posts a little more "leg room" toward the bottom of the shot?
Your narative offers some tasty food for thought -- to stop and smell the roses along the way. Too many times I've gone hunting for something to shoot -- through the park, the woods, riverbanks, harbor piers, etc -- and I've left too many times without a shot. Best to find a place to sit down, soak it in and let the photo opportunity meet you half way.
And you've put into words that feeling we all long for: "The sound of the shutter never felt better."
Congrats!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rod Monkey says:

Fantastic shot - as you say, very difficult to do something different with such an iconic building, but you certainly achieved that. Congrats.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Parc Cruz says:

Congrats, you are in page 1 (interestingness)

Excellent photo! Thanks for sharing this!

Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

La_Princesa_Greek says:

guau! esta esplendida
:)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dc chen says:

Wonderful shot.....wonderful!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

nivlekgant says:

excellent composition and colour.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Gauri V says:

title goes just perfect with the blue image of Opera house, liked both!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

praatafrikaans has left the building! [deleted] says:

i agree with lalaian (the 1st comment) everything about this photo is perfect, even the title is a perfect match for the photo.

great creative work.

"123faves"
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

loma_prieta says:

So perfect. I love the lights leading down to the opera house from the trees.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

yoel herzberg says:

Perfection, without any doubt.
1-2-3
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

zoom_eric says:

Fantastic!! The framing and the colour. Wow!!
1-2-3
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Jan2eke says:

Wonderful!!! What a great shot and wonderful mood!!!!

www.flickr.com/groups/1-2-3/pool/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

me*voila says:

Magical in blue - and what a blue it iis!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dellafels says:

Very cool
123faves
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Kentuckiana (In & Out of Flickr) says:

Congratulations! The blue effect makes it look amazing!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Marco [deleted] says:

Wonderful shot. Great blue tones :)
(1-2-3)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

wonderfulhorriblelife says:

actually it deserves to be the number one! congrats!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

{ Planet Adventure } says:

wow

seen in Fave Me group
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Parc Cruz says:

Excellent photo! Thanks for sharing this!

Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

★ mewot ★ says:

congratulations !!
its a stunning piece on the opera !
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

princessbren2006 says:

is stunning shot of the opera house
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

CELL0 says:

amazing! I can't wait moving to Sydney!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

☀ Sol says:

Gorgeous!!!
Nice sunday
Kiss
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

crunklygill says:

It really is hauntingly and wonderfully extraordinary.
Brilliant.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

fergyboi says:

Nice composition...is this the natural colour though? If it is...it's awesome!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

paose73 says:

spettacolare.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

neloqua says:

Great photo!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

koffiekitten says:

great image
lovely spot but you gave it a new twist
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

VanMuzi says:

Wonderful pic!! The blue is fantastic!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

cheinaranta says:

What can I say that hasn't been said already?
Seen in 1-2-3
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ev1952sky says:

really a great pic, and i love that blue
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

poonomo says:

ur snaps leave me speechless arjun... !!!! ... this is breathtaking...!!!!!!!!! :O)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

crunklygill says:

Love your multiple-meaning title too.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

edifica says:

Fantastic Work, Thank's for Share!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Seeker of Light says:

great shades of blue. I really like this photo
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

k2ski says:

overdone subject except when done like this... awesome work..
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

OVNIto says:

nice!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

dream awakener says:

Great picture
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

A dream, indeed!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

lawatha says:

You must have been so excited to see this image come from your camera. Gorgous!!! Congratulations! This image is currently (or was recently) one of Flickr's most interesting photos for 12 August, 2006. (It is (or was) on page one of the calendar view.) Would you please add it to the Interestingness pool? It would be a great addition!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

woolloomooloo says:

congratulations!! :)) beautiful "opera in a dream"... love to linger on this lovely dream... brough back alot of memories for me... thanks!! :)) have a great week to you! ^-^/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

Splendid exposure and view, Arjun!

--
Seen in 1-2-3 faves (5 and more) (?)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Tortoria [deleted] says:

Perfect blue! Beautiful...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

aberdidi says:

Love it
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

becky lou says:

Awesome!!! I love the blue!!! www.flickr.com/groups/3-2-1/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

flopper says:

i guess easy to choose to fave when it hit #1 in explore. ( add1 fav 1)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ói says:

Wow, fantastic. A fav for me.

3-2-1
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

(GLOPS) says:

nicely done

3 2 1
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

oliwkowygaj says:

wow!!!!
a1f1
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

PhotoToasty says:

Unusual shot of a common subject. Well done!
(I found this through the 3-2-1 group)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

utterly perfect.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

cool_pikz says:

wow i went to australlia but i never went to sydney i wish i did
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ALSOM says:

Speechless !
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

~Reshma~ says:

good shot and neat effect! interesting set of tags... 'modish', 'delusion'? :-)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

sindudoris says:

fabulous!!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

expert_packram says:

oh sh**t ! well done !
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

paranoidandroid_ says:

Terrific!
I reapeat, You have magic in your hands!!!!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

cuzuco says:

Instant Fav!!!!
I like all your blue pictures a lot :o)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

stellarr [deleted] says:

I'm just going to say what everyone else said, "Fabulous" "Awesome" "Terffic Blue" "Great"!!

I really like it, nice work.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Ahimsa! says:

congrats! i love it.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

rajiii says:

it has that magical effect...wonderful
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

fussy tassy says:

in a dream indeed u get such a shot!
awesome!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

kool_skatkat says:

Yes, it's hard.. tell me about it. It tool a lot of pictures before I was half happy. Great work here!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Java Cafe says:

Was doing a search of the most interesting photos tagged with "1000v100f" and guess what . . !

Anyhow, this is a photograph that is beyond words, an image from the other side of imagination! An ispirational piece of work, you got here.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

createam says:

That really deserves the #1 place..amazing..the perspective, the color, everythign is just amazing
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

bigcatwcu says:

This is truely an amazing shot. I love the opera house and this capture is a wonderful new vantage point of it. Great work.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Varyamo says:

Excelente. Azul magnífico!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

margabr says:

Great photo! I like very much the composition ( the lights leading down to the opera house from the trees) and the blue tones. Excellent work!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

scottiefone [deleted] says:

Wow this is the most amazing shot i have seen of the opra house. i got some of it but wow this one is soo good. wow.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

You are invited to post this image to Spectacular Objects - Invite Only.
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_objects/

Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Taken in Sydney, New South Wales (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70s.
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Taken on August 8, 2006
Viewed 37,576 times

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Opera in a dream

Comments

Lalalian says:

sjbmuse says:

Ursula Pfitzer says:

jot.de says:

fataetoile/ Cinzia Rizzo says:

aumbody images says:

conmike12 says:

Nil! says:

northreflections says:

Rettop says:

baby7 says:

Nicki817 says:

suburbanvoodoo says:

solarider says:

lakewentworth says:

*Perikita says:

wyk says:

photofool says:

victor_nuno says:

Omar Junior says:

Dan65 says:

pj58 says:

bonsaibutterfly [deleted] says:

Lauren98 says:

nathan_saksena says:

aroo.... says:

MicheKerr says:

jaxybelle says:

Burlingamebarley says:

aguilarphotographer.com says:

SkooterVA says:

Rod Monkey says:

Parc Cruz says:

La_Princesa_Greek says:

dc chen says:

nivlekgant says:

Gauri V says:

praatafrikaans has left the building! [deleted] says:

loma_prieta says:

yoel herzberg says:

zoom_eric says:

Jan2eke says:

me*voila says:

dellafels says:

Kentuckiana (In & Out of Flickr) says:

*Marco* [deleted] says:

wonderfulhorriblelife says:

{ Planet Adventure } says:

Parc Cruz says:

★ mewot ★ says:

princessbren2006 says:

CELL0 says:

☀ Sol says:

crunklygill says:

fergyboi says:

paose73 says:

neloqua says:

koffiekitten says:

VanMuzi says:

cheinaranta says:

ev1952sky says:

poonomo says:

crunklygill says:

edifica says:

Seeker of Light says:

k2ski says:

OVNIto says:

dream awakener says:

LucaPicciau says:

lawatha says:

woolloomooloo says:

Leviathor says:

Tortoria [deleted] says:

aberdidi says:

becky lou says:

flopper says:

Ói says:

(GLOPS) says:

Marco [deleted] says:

stellarr [deleted] says: