Breakthrough

Brighton Pier

Now has a sister shot - Expiring Light.

As this shot has got more faves than nearly all my other shots combined, I thought I'd give a bit more detail...

I am very pleased with the way it turned out, as I did actually plan it (also its sibling) - as I was walking along the beach, the Sun was breaking through across the sea, which was pretty stunning in itself, but I noticed the clouds were moving the rays towards the pier, so hared along the beach to be in the right place when they reached it. I even planned which bit would look best highlighted, so chose the very skeletal rollercoaster track.

Honesty forces me to concede a more than normal amount of post-production as well, there are all manner of channel mixer / curves and levels adjustments going on, and a lot of masking to highlight each different area of the picture in the best way.

But I suppose it's telling that it required all of luck, planning and technical tweaking to get me this many faves! :o)

Thanks for your comments!

-- Added to Cream of the Crop as most favourited picture.

-- Added to Interestingness Top 10 as been sitting at #4 on 3 November 2005 for a while now!

-- It has now hit #1 for the first time. Rock on!

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Comments

← prev 1 2 next →

(111 comments)

Gasti says:

Wow !
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Harry Mijland (dear harry) says:

indeed WOW
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

sharkbait says:

that is absolutely gorgeous !!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Thankyou everyone! I'm glad it turned out okay, I don't get out of bed before eight very often, it'd be a shame to have nothing to show for it :oD
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

CARNIVAL OF LIGHT says:

HOLE IN THE SKY... fantastic job!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Rev B. says:

That is a great photo
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff Clow says:

Superb photo....glad you got "up" a bit earlier to capture this world class image....

REALLY nicely done....!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

cmk53 says:

Go to the head of the class!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Yay! My first 10 favourited pic! I've arrived! :o)

Thanks everyone...
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Hantta says:

gorgeous pic!!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Seba.it says:

Great!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

MigMimo says:

excelent ...that ray of light is amazing!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

irishmanlost says:

Wow! perfect timing for a great stormy shot.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

ayoye says:

Superb...a fav!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

miss b* says:

you've definately got an eye ! great shot ! added to my faves too.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Cilest says:

beautiful! an amazing shot!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

daffodil says:

Really dramatic. Looks like somebody from up there is trying to say something to you! Great image!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

cam2000 [deleted] says:

Powerful composition.... excellent work!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Ingsoc says:

Simple photos are so effective. wonderful composition with the light coming down in just the right spot...
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

oldredhat says:

Wow!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

designtrash says:

it seems GOD is passing some powers through the ray of light. really nice one
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

peter photo says:

good shot ! nice picture !
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

gordieryan says:

love this, nice one!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Nutaroonie says:

Wow, thats a fantastic shot!
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

iseethemoon says:

wow, oh wow. gorgeous.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

PedjaP says:

Great shot, I love how it mixes amusement park with spirtuality. It's like a pressence above paying special attention to fun.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

Grundlepuck says:

Thank you for posting this majestic shot in the Top 10 Interestingness Pool!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Lars Kristian Schjønhaug says:

Looked like god visited the pier..
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Gigglejuice says:

Wonderful image and great work Rob. Another fave :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Gigglejuice says:

A Big Fave
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

angel_shark says:

beautiful!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

LyleUGA says:

Great shot. I learned in my photography class in college that what you do in the darkroom can be just as important. I hold the same truth now, get the shot the best I can on site, and then work to improve it. Increasing contrast and color can sometimes only be done post shooting, but your shot shows the amazing outcome using both pre-planning and post-processing. Well done.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Rodrigo Neves says:

Wow, touched by God. Very cool.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Thankyou all!

LyleUGA: Agree completely - you quite often see well composed, well exposed shots that could be *great* shots with just a bit of work.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

adrians_art says:

This is a stunning b/w Andy, love that shaft of light, fantastic!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Andy?! It's Rob. Hence the screen name ;o)

But thankyou for the comment! :o)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael DaKidd says:

This is a great shot for one of those inspirational posters around workplaces that are supposed to make it okay for everything to suck as long as you work come to work every day and work really hard.
Fave.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

[grep] says:

Speechless. WOW!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

B@ni says:

perfect...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Darkest Light says:

love the feeling that i get from this pic
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Philippe Faurie says:

Amazing shot
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

bourget_82 says:

very beautiful pic
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

grahammorriss says:

Great photograph, I should imagine that web quality doesn't do justice to the print. Thanks for sharing
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Wrobel Photographic Arts says:

I love the way the light is breaking through. Very well done. I'm curious as to how it looks in color.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

THEjdawg says:

wonderful shot. Great work.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Chris KWM says:

Fantastic shot. Amazing.
Thanks for taking part in the Shafts of Light thread at The World Through My Eyes
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Dreamer7112 says:

simply _g_r_e_a_t_ !!

Shafts of Light theme at
The World Through My Eyes
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

kunstkammer says:

What a phenomenal image. An isolated carnival surrounded by waves and highlighted by dramatic lighting. It's positively surreal made all the better by being "real." I can see why it's so popular. In fact, chalk up another fave!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

[o] Marc says:

Fine image! seen at
Shafts of Light theme at
The World Through My Eyes
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

mosesfrancis says:

Has been posted at www.flickrville.com
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Leviathor says:

Beautiful.

Year Ago feature.

--
Seen on the explore page. (?)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

I, Puzzled says:

Congratulations! This image is currently one of Flickr's most interesting photos for 3 November 2005 (A year ago today!). (It is on page one of the calendar view. In fact, it’s currently #1!) Would you please add it to the Interestingness pool? It would be a great addition!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Maurice Evans says:

Beautiful!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Thanks all!

grahammorriss: Actually, the print quality is not *massively* better as I only had a 5MP camera at the time. It is definitely better though!

Wrobel Photographic Arts: Doesn't look good in colour really; there's a lot of processing to emphasise the shaft of light quite that much.

This one gives an idea of how it looked really; still nice, but nowhere near as dramatic:

I, Puzzled: Thanks for the invite, it's actually already in there though :o)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Bin Al-Shaiba says:

A moment of silence ! It is like a scene from a movie : )
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

jbird says:

Stunning shot.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

eddiesholl says:

It seems God chooses to enjoy the Brighton Pier in the middle of winter. Its much less crowded then
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

........ .......... ........... [deleted] says:

wonderful light!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

mjseee says:

this is beautiful

seen in SLR thread

WOW! =)
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

taipei_uk_tina says:

beautiful light
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

taken by... Aymi says:

Beautiful pics, great timing with the light coming through the clouds :)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Violet Scorpion says:

Reminds me of the pier I read about in "The 5 people you meet in heaven". This is how I imagined it.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

I have never heard of it, sorry :o)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

sharkbait says:

it is a lovely book
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Holowlegs says:

Very nice shot

--
Seen in a tag search. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

@meli@ says:

God?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

ka_tie76 says:

beautifully captured!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

alphadwgs says:

Amazing! I love this shot
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Schellebelle [deleted] says:

Lovely with the light breaking through!

--
Seen in your Top 200 Interestingness set. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

the big bambooly says:

A stunner.
--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Click Cluck says:

Phew! Great shot!
Love it!

This Great Photographic Art was made by a Diamond Class Photographer!
Please add your photo to Flicker Diamond The Diamond Class Photographer
Read the group rules please and tag your photo DiamondClassPhotographer
You may tag your photo again as flickrdiamond
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuart Haden says:

Fabulous light. Lovely composition. Probably a winner.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Stefan Elf says:

Gorgeous light, brilliant composition! Well timed.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

yosefsilver.com says:

I have no words - this is just amazing!!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

SAMINEM says:

one of the most briliant photo in flicker

i can`t describe the great view of this wonderfull city brighton it`s the pride of england for reeeeal
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

David Lewis-Baker says:

Another excellent piece and also perfect for "UK Fine Art Landscape Photography"
david:>)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

tonymadrid says:

Hi, we have seen your picture and we would like to have it in our group Brighton Pier, please add it if you wish.

Thank you!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Marco Miccinilli says:

very nice shot
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

www.andrewturnerphotography.net says:

That is one of the best HDR i have ever seen

--
[discovered in the photophlow main room] (?)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

-RobW- says:

Hmmm, I'm not sure you could count it as HDR, it's a single shot, and a JPEG at that. It's just lots of dodging ang burning, basically! :o)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

FlickrCrazy Guy says:

Say it with a photograph !
digital-photography.blog-my-photo.com/
***Quality Photo Award***
Please add your photo to:
www.flickr.com/groups/bwg/
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

askone says:

amazing.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

ulunam says:

You’re invited to post this image to the group
Lumix-Award (Post 1 / Award 5).
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Kinoz - AVAILABLE says:

Its quite amazing....i am speechless...
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Icypop says:

That's stunning!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Garlic Kat says:

Wow, that's fabulous!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

phil35m says:

god is real, what a light ! congratulations
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

hk_traveller says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called All Favourite Photos, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

jamesbong69 says:

wow..:O
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

cltan47 [deleted] says:

best shot
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

doris丁  says:

Very nice!!!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

SARAH ♡ says:

<3 brighton
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Georgios Karamanis says:

Impressive!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Challenged Racer says:

Well, I am always humbled whenever I come to Flickr... used to sleep with my Minolta SLR 15 odd years ago... just came back into the fold with a D90 right before Christmas. I'm too embarrassed to upload more than a half-dozen shots I've taken. At any rate, nice texture to the waves in that shot.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

sun|moon says:

Wonderful everything!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

robo68x says:

great!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

ukreal1 says:

beautiful shot, I thought this was Brighton Pier, I used to love going down to Brighton for the weekend!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Eastern Traveller says:

A fine picutre with the pier - made better with your write up.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

pizzicatta says:

I agree with Eastern Traveller above - beautiful picture, and so great to know how you made it.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

Oli Woods. says:

stunning! I love those beams of light!

--
Seen on photos taken in Brighton. (?)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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(111 comments)

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This photo also belongs to:

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		138 items

	Top 200 Interestingness (Set)
		59 items

	Brighton (Set)
		237 items

	Black & White Etc. (Set)
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	I Like Big Skies And I Cannot Lie (Set)
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	Cream of the Crop - Please read the rules (Pool)
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	Sky (Pool)
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	Brighton (Pool)
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	B&W (Pool)
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	Top-V, The Original 'Top Views' Group (Pool)
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	The city where I live (Pool)
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310 people call this photo a favorite

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Breakthrough

Comments

Gasti says:

Harry Mijland (dear harry) says:

sharkbait says:

-RobW- says:

CARNIVAL OF LIGHT says:

Rev B. says:

Jeff Clow says:

cmk53 says:

-RobW- says:

Hantta says:

Seba.it says:

MigMimo says:

irishmanlost says:

ayoye says:

miss b* says:

Cilest says:

daffodil says:

cam2000 [deleted] says:

Ingsoc says:

oldredhat says:

designtrash says:

peter photo says:

gordieryan says:

Nutaroonie says:

iseethemoon says:

PedjaP says:

Grundlepuck says:

Lars Kristian Schjønhaug says:

Gigglejuice says:

Gigglejuice says:

angel_shark says:

LyleUGA says:

Rodrigo Neves says:

-RobW- says:

adrians_art says:

-RobW- says:

Michael DaKidd says:

[grep] says:

B@ni says:

Darkest Light says:

Philippe Faurie says:

bourget_82 says:

grahammorriss says:

Wrobel Photographic Arts says:

THEjdawg says:

Chris KWM says:

Dreamer7112 says:

kunstkammer says:

[o] Marc says:

mosesfrancis says:

Leviathor says:

I, Puzzled says:

Maurice Evans says:

-RobW- says:

Bin Al-Shaiba says:

*jbird* says:

eddiesholl says:

........ .......... ........... [deleted] says:

mjseee says:

taipei_uk_tina says:

taken by... Aymi says:

Violet Scorpion says:

-RobW- says:

sharkbait says:

Holowlegs says:

@meli@ says:

ka_tie76 says:

alphadwgs says:

Schellebelle [deleted] says:

the big bambooly says:

Click Cluck says:

Stuart Haden says:

Stefan Elf says:

yosefsilver.com says:

SAMINEM says:

David Lewis-Baker says:

tonymadrid says:

Marco Miccinilli says:

jbird says: