Tag: transportation

Time Gone By

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Nick Roberts

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I wanted to try something a little different with these bridge images. I decided to take them into Nik Siver Efex Pro and see what might come from that. I first used my -2, 0, and +2 EV bracket set to create a HDR image in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 which I then adjusted for exposure and tone mapped it. I returned it to Aperture 3 where I made a few adjustments to saturation, vibrance and detail slider before doing my final sharpening. After doing that I took that image into NIK Silver Efex Pro where I used the antique preset to create the image above.

Light at the End of the Tunnel — Looking Back To An Earlier Time

For the image above I followed essentially the same process, bracket set to HDR then back to Aperture for some adjustments and finally into NIK Silver Efex Pro where I applied the neutral preset and chose the Agfa 400 film look along with a little red filter to finish it

The Day the Bridge Came to Life

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Nick Roberts

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Once the people started using the bridge on opening day it went from a static thing to a living structure. I was surprised how much difference I saw once people were walking on the ramp and bridge. Having that many people up there really helped add some scale reference to things. Before that moment I knew how big it was but without people on there it was hard to get a feel for what a massive structure the ramp and bridge really is.

This image is another bracket set of three frames shot at -2, 0, and +2 EV and merged in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 then finished in Aperture 3. I first tried the merger at 20% anti-ghosting and nearly all the figures were distorted so I returned it to the merge setting and boosted the anti ghosting to 60% which solved the problem and gave me the results I was looking for.

Big Four Bridge Opening Thursday 02-07-2013

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Nick Roberts

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I thought that with the opening of the Big Four Bridge set for Thursday morning I would look back over the past six months of my posts about the bridge. Photographing this project has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life as an artist and photographer. Shooting almost daily, getting to know the construction crew, learning about bridge building, seeing my hometown from a vantage point few have ever experienced and expanding my photographic skills are all things that happened because I chose to create this blog which then led to my gaining access to the project.

I started the SpeedDemon2 blog last summer and tried to post a new image each day. Had I not posted a photo of clouds moving over the bridge after a thunderstorm on the blog, it would not have been seen by the Waterfront Development Corporation. Without them seeing that photo the Waterfront Development Corporation wouldn’t have had any reason to contact me or grant me access to the project and I would not have gotten the opportunity to go up on the bridge during the final phase of the conversion from abandoned railroad bridge to a pedestrian bridge and a central component of Louisville Waterfront Park.

When people ask me about how to get recognition for their photography I always tell them to blog about their work. I relate my story about the exposure and opportunities blogging has given me and my work, not only here in Louisville but around the world too.

I can’t begin to list everyone who helped me and took me under their wings as I moved forward with my personal plan for this body of work. I want to thank the Waterfront Development Corporation, Construction Solutions LLC and T&C Construction for all the support and access they have granted me.

I especially want to thank all the Ironworkers, Carpenters, Laborers and Equipment Operators for their cooperation and understanding as I went about documenting their day to day activities. These guys have become friends that I hope to stay in contact with for years to come. Without their skill and expertise the Big Four Bridge conversion could not exist; their dedication to craftsmanship and love for the bridge are evident in every detail. They never cut corners or took an attitude that something was “good enough” instead they took the approach that “perfection equals pride in a job well done” which shows everywhere one looks. Everyone who sees and uses this bridge owes them a debt of gratitude.

The Waterfront Development Corporation has restored Louisville’s Commons and given our city a park that celebrates our roots as a river city. Their vision and leadership will be enjoyed by the people of Louisville and her visitors for generations to come and exemplifies the title “The City of Possibility”. Waterfront Park gives the entire community a gathering place far greater than any of us who have lived here our entire adult lives ever dreamed possible.

Big Four Bridge at Sunrise

Morning sunrise on the Big Four Bridge jobsite. — Start of the Workday

Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park, Louisville, Kentucky

The image above is the one that was seen by the Waterfront Development Corporation and landed me on the bridge. I was subsequently allowed to shoot this final phase of the conversion from abandoned railroad bridge to a pedestrian bridge between Kentucky and Indiana.

We’re Almost There

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Nick Roberts

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We are just a couple of days from the opening of the Big Four Bridge. All the work has been completed and all that’s left is for the gate to be removed and the dedication on Thursday morning. After that the crown jewel of Waterfront Park will be open to everyone on the Kentucky side. Later this year the ramp from Indiana will be completed and we’ll be able to walk or bike over the river.

I processed this image in HDR Efex Pro 2 from three exposures +1.3, 0, -1.3 EV. After tone mapping the merged image I returned it to Aperture 3 for some additional adjustments to exposure, definition, vibrancy and sharpening.

I finally broke down and started using the auto bracket feature on my Nikon D90 to capture my bracket sets. I don’t know why it took me so long to adopt this feature but I am really glad I did. It really simplifies the HDR bracketing process and allows me to focus more on composing the images while speeding up everything about the shooting process.

Where the Hell is Murph ?…: NORDKAPP…….Top of the World.

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Nick Roberts

This is Murph’s image of himself at the Top of the World

Today I want to share a post from my friend Murph. Murph is on an around the world trip on his BMW sidecar rig and posts his progress on his blog “Where The Hell Is Murph?”

This link will take you to his blog Where the Hell is Murph ?…: NORDKAPP…….Top of the World.

His story is one of self discovery and persistence. I met Murph several years ago at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. At that time he was traveling around the country following various motorsports events and living off his motorcycle. He usually camped near the events and in the case of some events such as the Baja offroad races he followed the race from the tip of Mexico back to the USA camping along the way.

Last year he decided to undertake an around the world motorcycle trip which he began this past fall in Holland. He went to Holland where he had his BMW converted to a sidecar rig in order to be able to carry all the gear he needs to be self sufficient and be able to handle the varied terrain that his quest will take him through.

He is also a very talented photographer and writer which is why I’ve decided to share his New Year’s Day post with all of you. He doesn’t use any special programs to process his images relying mainly on Photoshop for his editing. He shoots Nikon cameras and lenses as well as using his iPhone to record some video.

He began his trip in the beginning of winter and has been riding in ice and snow for a couple of months now. He wanted to ride to the North Cape in Nordkapp, Norway ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cape,_Norway ) before heading for Russia this year. As he says on his blog “It’s all downhill from here”.

I hope you enjoy reading his story and seeing his photography.

Speeddemon2 Photography

Fine Art Photography