Festival of Lights

Love the hard green lights against the soft white lights.

Crop like this?

The lights are part of the Symphony of Lights which the city of Hong Kong puts on nightly.

The detail in the buildings looks pretty cool in the large size. As you may have noticed, the composition is identical to the previous photo in my photostream - I took both of these on the same night. This one is from later in the evening, the other is from dusk.

http://photographer.stevewebel.com

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Camera: Minolta DYNAX 5D
Exposure: 10 sec (10)
Aperture: f/8
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 3/10 EV

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Comments

< Prev 1 2 Next >

(142 comments)

*In the Moment Photography. says:

Beautiful!
The light is amazing!!
XOXOXOXO
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Phil~ says:

great shot~!!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

akameus ( Randy Kosek ) says:

Beautiful night shot.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

spicedfish says:

Amazing rays of lights!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Philippe Sainte-Laudy says:

Beautiful scene!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

radiant star says:

Beautiful shot!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

HL Wang says:

nice one :)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Ms. Kathleen says:

Close Encounters! Gorgeous!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Scott Dungan says:

Great lights!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Tea and Oranges says:

Nicely done....what a clear night!..I don't think there's a way to photoshop out the normal air pollution.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

I'm thinking this Friday or Saturday might be a great day for photography in HK after the typhoon Chanchu blows through on Wednesday and temporarily clears up the Pearl River Delta pollution!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Kai W says:

nice night photography!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Daniel Y. Go says:

Stunning!!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

babasteve says:

very nice...
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments.

One thing I liked about this photo was how the green lasers coming from the two IFC towers look cutting through the sky.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

lancewebel says:

Nightly? Wow ... that's sweet!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

willy gil says:

this is a beautiful photo...i,m just starting to learn night shots and this is very inspiring.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Photophool says:

Very nice....hope the oncoming typhoon brings no harm.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

the Photojournalist... says:

Man... this image is SWEET! The lighting, composition... I've got to get a good tripod. I'm (happily) jealous!

Peace!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

I agree on the tripod - every photographer should have a GOOD tripod. It makes such a difference! (Those $25 bargain basement tripods are better than nothing, but they don't even compare to a good quality tripod!)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Myha says:

Absolutely amazing shot! Kudos...
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

Really beautiful photo, great lighting and fantastic detail!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

jpopp says:

great shot!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

indigo11 says:

Great photo! How can you do this?
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

@ indigo11 - the key is having a good solid tripod so that you can set your shutter to stay open for a long exposure.

Other than that, there is alot of trial-and-error to get the photo to look like you want it!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Device_Error says:

Nice
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

suesue2 says:

Amazing show of night lights!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Alvin Gumba Photography says:

Bravo! Great nightshot! Thanks for the photo info: aperture, exposure and speed.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

LukeLatino [deleted] says:

great view of the city
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

-Eszter- says:

nice photo!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Roby Ferrari says:

Wonderful!
Score 10/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Rid©ully [deleted] says:

Excellent night shot expertly taken

Score 9/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

KaroliK says:

The first 10 I've ever given. What a wonderful mood, great detail, great composition. It makes me want to go there.

Score 10/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Alex Schraufstetter Photographer says:

Nothing left to say. Perfect done

Score 9.5/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

thanks for the comments and feedback!

Steve
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Drown says:

Nice detail, and i really like the crisp laser beams!

Score 8/10 from the Score Me! group
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

anthonyarrigo98 says:

Can you say "Light Pollution"? What an incredible waste. Kind of an ecological train wreck... with lots of happy bystanders :-\
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

makelessnoise says:

This practice is absolutely heartbreaking. Light pollution is a global crisis that almost nobody seems to know about.

Well captured and all - commendable photgraphic skill, but the light pollution! UGH!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

FL Flower says:

excellent photography!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

With all the 'real' heartbreak in this world, I laugh at calling a 20 minute light show "heartbreaking."

Anyway, considering there are over 7 million people in this city, I'm SURE the per capita use of light is much less than in American cities that are spralled out over miles and miles!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Douglas Carvalho. says:

Amazing !!!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

saseki says:

amazing festival!
focus and detail is really impressive.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

galacticnick [deleted] says:

it practically took my breath away!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

bryan lowe says:

Great shot!

@makeless noise
LOL. And you think that 7 million people who rely on this light as their source of income and life will care that the only reason you are concerned about light pollution is because you have trouble looking through a scope at the stars. Take your hobby into the deep country and you dont have this concern. Take these lights away and people dont have lives.....
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

makelessnoise says:

@webel - Eh. You're probably right. 20 minutes isn't that big a deal. But where do you draw the line? There should be SOME limit, no?

@ gilowe - You have incorrectly understood my position, and clearly don't understand the issues. Read more carefully before you criticize next time.

I have never said there shouldn't be light - only that light should be aimed where it is needed - downward. Upshining light serves no purpose - but adds pollution to our skies, land and water because light uses power - almost all coming from coal, oil or nuclear sources. Maybe you're content to screw the planet, but I'm not. Further, I resent paying higher taxes for street lights that are brighter than needed and left on all night - I choose not to "lol" at those issues. And sue me for thinking the skies are still worth seeing.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

@makelessnoise- I think the problem is that to categorize the light show as part of a "global crisis" is extremist and quike frankly, it's ridiculous.

Conservation is important, but to look at a beautiful cityscape and leave a 'troll-like' comment about the 'global crisis' is bad form. That is why so many people discount the conservation message all-together, because of the type of hyperbole demonstrated in your comments. In reality, your effort to help the environment actually hurts it in the end.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

MasterMonk says:

hear hear webel,

@makelessnoise - having done some work with environmental issues, your concern over 'light pollution' like 'noise pollution' is well-noted, but categorizing it as a "global crisis" is like calling a moth wandering in your house an "insect infestation".

Excuse the metaphor if it's not well crafted, but the point is, if you are truly concerned about environmental issues, read up on sustainable design for the environment. Currently, it's one of the biggest and most feasible methods for combating the problem you stated, environmental waste.

Telling people to shut off the lights that millions of tourists and residents in Hong Kong (my cousin's from there) take much pride in to save the energy that a couple SUVs burn in a day isn't a worthwhile attack to 'save the environment'.

Here's a startling and real fact. The average cell phone user changes phones about once every year, if you keep that phone for an extra 2 years, the energy and resources saved from needed to manufacture that new phone equates to about 1,000,000 recycled aluminum cans. Insane huh? Just a reminder that not everything is what it seems.

@webel, love your photography in China, I just got into this about a week ago and have been living in Shanghai during this time. Sorry for utilizing your msg board for this long response. Delete it if necessary =).
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

makelessnoise says:

@Webel, MasterMonk - An import point to understand is that you can have lights without light pollution. I am not insisting that people turn off all their lights - only that they use light carefully. Once you start to look for it, you'll see how intensely widespread the problem is. I don't understand the complacency and antagonism I get over this when gas is $3/gallon! We're all paying for this in more ways than one - pollution, greenhouse gases, higher taxes, etc. And I'm a 'troll' for this? It IS a problem, and it's world wide.

Yes, there are other effective ways to use enegry efficiently - interesting about the phone. Shame on the US for its SUV compulsion and kudos to Hong Kong for being smarter than that. Yes, there are other big problems that desparately need attention and resources. This just seems like such a needless problem! Nobody gains from this!

Ironically, you say that 'not eveything is what it seems.' Light pollution appears innocuous. It isn't.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

No-one is saying here that it's not a problem, I'm just saying it's certainly NOT a "global crisis" as you called it, and to call it such discredits you and your message - thus hurting the movement for conservation.

cheers!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

MasterMonk says:

People DO gain from light shows, it's a point of pride for the people of Hong Kong, and as is obviously shown by Mr. Webel's amazing photography, it's brought joy to many-a-viewer's eye. Providing prestige to Hong Kong and uplifting its people is worth a minor price tag.

What I'm saying is light pollution isn't even an environmental issue, which I believe you are classifying it as. Even if it is, what you're attacking is akin to saying we should make sure there are cushions on the chairs of Iraqi leaders to deal with the leadership problems in Iraq. (another bad analogy, i'm horrible at them)

If you are truly concerned with environmental issues, you should realize that we're at a stage that we need to start attacking BIG ISSUES or else. Like global warming, not light pollution. The truth is, light pollution is innocuous, it's negligible if not nil compared to global warming.

Again webel, sorry for using your photo space, but at least it increases your comments!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

makelessnoise says:

Webel - Point taken. I still maintain that it is a global problem, and it is a direct and unneccessary contributor to problems we face with energy demands and the consequences of its production. Most people know nothing about it - and it needs attention. Also, I echo Monks comment about using your photo space for this - it wasn't my original intent. I just meant to call attention to the issue.

MasterMonk - I'm surprised you don't see the connection between light pollution and the creation of greenhouse gasses. It is far from innocuous - your taxes are higher because most municipalities don't light properly. Your energy bills are higher because we're paying to shine lights up. Waste estimates are $1Bln annually for the US alone - on unsued light!. We burn more oil and coal to make electricity, and even nocturnal animals suffer because of this. "Innocuous?" You were kidding, right?
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Robert Lio says:

Your up to your old tricks again. Your making me look bad.

Great shot man!!! 8-)
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

paolo91 says:

great pic. too bad i missed it when i was there.
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

lilian.manlyman says:

hmm... good memories.. i was there at the beginning of.. 05? i think?
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

bryan lowe says:

Whoops, sorry Webel didnt mean to make a mess of your photo stream.
I was going to retort, but I cant be bothered and I dont want to degrade your stream any further. :-)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Leopoly says:

Ah, home.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

mONKEYbART says:

wow beautiful!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

wbsercessa says:

nice, my eye knows exactly where to go....i like it when a picture doesnt confuse my eyes.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Hemicuda82 says:

Shhhhhhhwwwwwooooooow. :) :D
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

netbuilder says:

Great capture...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

jennrn43 says:

beautiful picture...would love to see and visit this city sometime..
Thanks for the remindar on my to do list
Jenny
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

M©G [deleted] says:

I'm jealous... I didn't take a tripod with me to HK so all my attempts at this were useless!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Lionoche says:

Incredible my friend, simply fabulous ;-)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

innusa says:

Awesome view. Well done!! Interesting comments on light pollutions!! I wish I owned the DSLR when I was there.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

chiketaosum41 says:

i luv hongkong
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

meibukan76 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Fantabulous, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

It amazes me that this photo is still getting views, comments and favs! Thankyou everyone!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

worldwidewandering says:

You are invited to post this and any other photos you have of Hong Kong to worldwidewandering - a travel atlas. Post comments
and thumbnail photos to the Hong Kong discussion thread.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Bahi P says:

Hi Steve. I saw your picture just now (credited and linked properly to this page) in this week's issue of activate world news, filtered by flavorpill. It's in issue 55, which I received by e-mail. Your work looks great in there!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

Thanks for the link!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

danielkwood says:

incredible shot...well done
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

unroyal1984 says:

Amazing! Every city should do that, but we now living the "go green" era so it's utopic...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

PINKSteph0816 says:

Jack's Mannequin - Dark Blue .. comes to mind.
simply mesmerizing
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

gogo159 says:

Great night shot capture and nice to see the view without the pollution.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

WorldFlickr says:

Hi, I am an admin for a group called Landmarks around the world, and I discovered this great shot in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. We love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

~مبـــــارك~[(QTR)]~Mubarak~ says:

beautiful shot of one of my all-time Favorite cities =-D
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

pacoli says:

welcome to my city (hong kong)
nice to meet you all.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

dicky2868 says:

WA~~3008 x 2000
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Chase Davis says:

I saw this on tv, they use computers to coridiate it, if people want to, and have the money to do a light show like this every night, then they should have every right to.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

KC_JAKE says:

Stunning skyline...great work!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

T A H O says:

everyone should see the symphony of lights when they're in HK... it was such a spectacular sight...
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

abce72 says:

C
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

abce72 says:

A
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

pnr_z says:

Harika
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Henry Young says:

haha I remember watching this I think last summer? I was on a boat and got sea sick... haha very nice picture. I didn't have my camera yea so I couldn't take any pics... to bad hahaha
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

kees straver (busty week trying to catch up) says:

WOW!!!!! Beautiful shot. Very nice
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

Jill .... in Singapore lah! says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Global Backpackers *** Exclusive, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

jason ! says:

excellent shot!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

mveaches says:

Love the scene, laser shows in the city skyline are really something.
I'd wouldn't exactly take the crop suggested in the note, take the whole width, but and maybe a little higher then sug. crop
This photograph has been nominated for ~

Excellence in Afterdark Photography (Invited Photos Only)
Please ensure image is 'Tagged' ~ "excellentafterdark"

--
Found in a search. (?)
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

olszuffka says:

Great shot! It's not very dark at night there...
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

Dowsee says:

Excellent photo
The light show is wonderful
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

vincedprince14 says:

Galing naman? gustong gusto ko yang lugar na yan? Parang Philippines.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Ola85 says:

Hey it is so good. Colours and ligts are so sharp. I like it
Thanks for sharing.

.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

andyboy001 says:

I am from Hong Kong and I live in one of the buildings.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

RCKM ©®™ says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Flashing Lights, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

This is an excellent picture!! I love all the colors and the architecture.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

funky emms says:

how to add tags?
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

enzocampisi says:

Bellissima!!!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

``` N. Andonov ´´´ says:

Fantastic capture!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Webel says:

Send me flickrmail and I'll be glad to chat with you!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Eman Hurtado says:

coooool
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island (map)
Taken with a DYNAX 5D.
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Taken on May 14, 2006

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