City of South Perth

Narrows Bridge South Perth, Western Australia

After spending almost a week in Perth without any decent sunset, I decided to head for a blue hour cityscape shot. Being my last day in Perth, I was definitely feeling the blues, but there is no better way to end the trip with a good photoshoot (hence the title). This is take two of this location and it is definitely better than the last (which was taken last year on my old 1000D)

View this in Large for all the crisp details: www.flickr.com/photos/jcheaphotography/7787761016/sizes/k...

Some tips for capturing great blue city skyline:

1. Visit on weekdays when the office buildings are still occupied and there will still be plenty lighting.
2. Visit during times of year when the sunset is earlier, before the offices knock-off timing (late autumn, winter or early spring). Winter is also known for clearer skies.
3. Feature reflections from any water bodies or include light trails for the additional interest.
4. If you are shooting this exact bridge, I learnt from my last shoot that the bridge is not very photographer friendly. One should grab as many exposure of it as soon as the lights come on before the sky gets too dark resulting in bridge getting overexposed.
   Last of all, may the good light be with you!

5 exp shot, LEE's 0.6 GND (Soft) and edited in Photoshop

Near Narrows bridge South Perth, Western Australia

Must see it in large (press L) or www.flickr.com/photos/jcheaphotography/5803723996/sizes/l...

Something different from my previous few shots of Korea. Today is a public holiday to commemorate the foundation of the Swan River Colony in 1829 (the actual date is the 1st of June, but it is celebrated in the first monday of June), hence I find it fitting to post this shot of the Swan River and Perth city during blue hour. Furthermore, it is also my birthday, which makes it extra special!

Taken last friday (weekdays are better when photographing office building at night as there most probably be lights) in a chilly winter's evening (Winter nights are suppose to be clearer compared to other seasons and blue hour also comes earlier in winter, before people leave their offices). I was quick to forget to cold as I was desperately trying to capture this beautiful view in front of me. I was rubbing my hands as the camera was capturing each exposure and the long shutter speed seemed to take forever. The worst thing with panorama is that you would not know if you captured the perfect shot as the results will only be reviewed after you stitch the exposures together in Photoshop (kinda like film I guess), therefore the more shot you shoot, the better the chances of a good photo.

Prior to 1829, the only European settlement in Western Australia was a British Army outpost at King George Sound (the later site of Albany), established in 1826. Captain James Stirling of the Royal Navy led explorations of the Swan River in 1827. The British Colonial Office in 1828, approved Stirling's recommendation that a colony be established in the area. Stirling was appointed Lieutenant-Governor.(wikipedia)

6 exp, stitched and edited in photoshop. Comments are appreciated!