Rusted Rivets

Bridge Reinforcement Plate Detail
Bridge Reinforcement Plate Detail

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These images are black and white conversions of HDR images that I created from a three shot bracket set using +2, 0 and -2 EV frames that I first merged  in NIK HDR EFex Pro 2 to create a HDR image. After merging and tone mapping them I returned them to Aperture 3 where I applied the black and white adjustment with an orange filter. I also sharpened them and added a little mid-contrast to show the texture in the rust and intensify the shadows.

Rivets Detail
Rivets Detail

 

10 thoughts on “Rusted Rivets

    1. Thanks Lauren, I used my Nikon 18-55 mm VR DX lens. I’ve been using it as my main lens for several months. I was at a lecture last summer by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Dan Dry of National Geographic fame; he was asked about his equipment and he showed us his minimalist approach. His kit consisted of a Nikon D800 and a 24-70 mm, lens which he said he shot nearly all his current work with, he also had a small strobe and a few other items. What struck me was the simplicity and portability of his gear.

      I had dropped my usual walking around lens a few days earlier, a Nikon 18-200 VR and it was in the shop for repairs. Since I use a Nikon D90 the 18-55 lens gives me a lens equivalent to 27- 82 mm on a full frame sensor. I thought about the images that Dan shared with us and decided to limit myself to the 18-55 lens for a while. It has been a very liberating experience using this lens and I seldom take my telephoto along anymore. Because I travel by motorcycle when I can, I strive to keep my camera gear as compact as possible, and this also factors into my using this lens as my main lens. I do have second D90 body that I usually have fitted with a Nikon 12-24 mm VR DX lens for when I want a wider angle, though it translates to 18-36 mm on my sensor, so I am a little limited there when it comes to wide shots where I would really like to use a 12 mm for it’s affect on the perspective.

      These images also benefited from the light that was on them which really emphasized the texture of the rusted steel and the long shadows. I was shooting at night and the lights on the bridge are low energy consumption LED fixtures mounted on the same plane as these rivets and plates. They cast those beautiful shadows which was what drew me to the subject. I also learned that the light from LED lamps such as those has a distinct light blue cast which made the color images from this shoot appear a silver tinted blue.

    1. Thank you Ellen. Another thing that really brings out the shadows and texture is that I processed the bracket set as HDR first before converting to black and white. I think that is an area of HDR use that is often overlooked by folks who shoot HDR.

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