“I am the eye in the sky”
Sydney August 2013 (3 images)
I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don’t need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind, I can read your mind
… “Eye in the Sky” is a 1982 song by The Alan Parsons Project from the album Eye in the Sky.
“Far above the maddening crowd”
These three photos were taken on and near the South Pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Actually, the middle photo is a crop of the last photo, and just shows that on occasions, I do miss not having a zoom lens as my main lens. But with modern day camera megapixels, maybe I can do without one.
In this set, the main subject is the bridge climbers. If you look closely enough at any modern photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge you will usually see them somewhere on the bridge. Bridge Climb is now the number 1 attraction/adventure that tourists want to experience when in Sydney. Apparently, there have been over 4000 marriage proposals made at the summit of the bridge so far. There is even a dedicated wedding climb if you want to get married or renew your vows up there. Unfortunately for photographers, you can’t take a camera up there, or anything else that could plummet out of your hands like a missile onto the deck below, which is why I haven’t done it yet ๐ .
The view from the top of the South Pylon is nearly as impressive and a lot “safer” for those who might baulk at climbing the bridge. Looking at these photos, I didn’t realise there was so much rust on the bridge. Hmmm.
And in case you’re wondering, the climb involves 1002 steps.
“Traffic”
This is Part 3 of my South Pylon trilogy of posts. If you missed them, the other 2 parts are:
Part 1: The Bridge ***Finalist in the Digital Lightroom competition.
Part 2: All along the watch tower
Yes, I would like to walk on that bridge with my camera. Great series! Excellent compositions!
Thank you. Its great to be able to photograph this bridge with some regularity. Always new angles to explore. You definitely would enjoy it and get some fabulous shots. Cheers.
Was you there, at the top of the bridge?
No, I haven’t climbed it yet. ๐
I got dizzy just looking at these photos. I suppose the exhilaration of the climb may prompt one to declare undying love. ๐
Perhaps, although after 1002 steps, you may feel the need to declare your love, before dying. ๐
hi woody dragon,
nice photos and song.
have not had the opportunity to visit sydney yet, when i do this bridge will definitely be on my to visit list although i don’t think i will make the climb as i am afraid of heights!
what a massive and piece of bridge engineering.
regards,
kap
Thanks kap. I have no doubt your photos would be spectacular. You do some great photography.
thank you for your kind words, woody dragon.
You’re welcome.
My knees are hurting just thinking about all those steps. You are right about not needing to invest in a telephoto if you don’t use it that often.
Yes, we all have our limitations. I’m not sure if it would be worse going up or coming down. Thanks as always, my friend.
Actually, from my canyon trekking experience, going down is sometimes surpassingly worse than hiking up.
fantastic!
Thank you.
WOW!!! I mean – wow! Both the photos and the subject matter. And now that song is in my head ๐
Thank you very much. You’ll have to visit one day. That song’s been in my head for a while now too. ๐
The fact that it’s taken from afar makes the shots so special…to see the people climbing as small as ants makes the viewer feel very small among the elements of the universe.
It’s stunning photography!
Thank you very much. The perspective is all important, as you rightly point out. Have a great day.
Alan Parsons Project…I recognised it immediately, takes me back… And so much rust on the bridge doesn’t sound too great!
I wonder why they don’t treat the larger areas of rust as soon as they notice it, given that it is such a major tourist attraction. Not a good look for the city if the bridge were to fall down for lack of maintenance. There’s also, a tunnel under the harbour. I get drops of water on my windscreen whenever I go through it. I’m hoping its condensation from pipes above, but there’s always that small niggling thought in the back of the mind. ๐
Not a good look for the city is an understatement if the bridge fell down!!
And I can say it with a straight face too. I’d be the perfect straight/fall guy in any comedy duo. ๐
๐ ๐
Awesome shots! The details are incredible… It must be frightening to climb up there, then the song… Are you trying to scare us? ๐
Thank you kindly. Yes, the words of the song are a little “unusual”, but I liked the song title so much, it seemed appropriate. ๐
1002 steps one way or two? My legs would give way going down the steps. I would never climb so this is definitely awesome seeing through your lens! Thanks for sharing these spectacular photos ๐
I started counting the steps in the photo, but lost count after 263. ๐ Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.
Ah, LD, you make me so proud of my city โ and yet it isn’t really mine, as I’ve told you … Still, I reckon that when you’ve lived somewhere for longer than you lived in your home town, you’re allowed to claim it. And I claim Sydney, with all my heart.
Thank you for the super, SUPER images you post of it!
Glad you enjoyed these shots. This is your home now.
Which is why I just LOVE your photography!
Thank you.
Fabulous shots! I feel quite dizzy ๐
Thank you. ๐
You have captured such wonderful lines and curves here!
Thank you very much Lisa.
That looks so scary… I guess I am scared of heights. Reminds me of going to the top of Eiffel Tower and feeling the metal structure moving a bit in the wind… so spooky. You’ve captured great photos Draco and I really enjoyed hearing about this. ๐ Did I understand correctly you’ve not climbed it yet?
Yes, I haven’t been to the top. Going up would be fine. Coming down might be a problem. ๐ But I guess if I were a tourist, only in the city for a few days, I’d probably try it.
Just walking across the bridge, I could feel the footpath move every time a car went by.
Yes coming down is harder. I’m not sure I could go up there even as a tourist… we’ll see one when I’m in Sydney. ๐
The guides are pretty experienced at assisting the more reluctant climbers. I think you’d be OK in the end.
๐
Wow, now I’m dizzy and humming “eye in the sky”. Thanks for shaking up my morning. ๐ It looks like a fantastic viewpoint.
Thank you very much. But if the song is still stuck in your head by nightfall, you may be throwing daggers at me. ๐ ๐ ๐
Fantastic photos. However I have a major, major fear of heights and can say I would never be a member of the bridge climbing group! ๐
Thank you. I’m thinking about it, but baulking. Maybe one day.
From wikipedia: BridgeClimbโs most frequent climber is 85-year-old Lloyd Poulton, who had done the climb 50 times as at August 2012.
Of course I love the girders and the bridge and you’ve given us some wonderful shots, but….that is a dizzy-making expanse and I think I will just sit here on the floor for a while…
I thought you might have been swooning at the sight of rust, but then I remembered… ๐
Great view of the bridge! Agree with other comments about the height…quite impressive!
Thanks. You didn’t do it when you were in Sydney?
No, there’s always so much to see & do…it’s on my list for next time though!
You need to book months ahead though.
That camera really does take astonishing photos. I get ‘camera envy’ with most of your pics. My photo of the Angel Place bird cages is nothing like as crisp as yours — and I know that if I do venture to the South Pylon the results won’t match these. But I may have to go, regardless. These are stunning.
Don’t worry about camera envy. We’ll all go mad/broke if that happens. ๐
You definitely should walk along the bridge at some time. The footpath does vibrate though with each passing car.
Oh I have walked across the bridge many times, so I have felt that disconcerting vibration. But I haven’t ventured higher than the footpath level!
I understand. Get thee to the South Pylon!
Love the photos. Can definitely spot the climbers up there! I’ve always wanted to climb the Harbour Bridge. Been to Sydney a few times but never attempted it…too expensive ๐ Someday.
Yes, it is expensive and you have to book well ahead of time. I guess the cost makes you less likely to back out when your time comes around. Hope you get to do it one day.
Oh yes, I forgot about booking ahead of time. I hear 2-3 months in advance is advised. I’m just a $200 return flight away. Then there’s $300+ for the climb and maybe $5 for food. Oh dear, it all adds up for me…at the moment ๐
HL=huge like, respect and cheers, LD! ๐
Thank you very kindly M. Much appreciated.
So cool and frightening! Stunning images.
Thank you. You summed it up well. ๐
I’ll be honest…I wouldn’t do it because it’s so fricken high. I’m a scaredy cat ๐
But what a great structure!
I suspected as much. ๐
That is one of my all time favourite songs. I have it playing in one of my posts ๐ These photos are beyond cool. I wonder where you were standing to be able to take them. Far too many steps for me to go the top plus a vertigo …. ๐
Thank you. ๐
I was at the top of the South Pylon. You can see it in “the bridge” photo mentioned at the bottom of the post.
it’s a stunning location for photography!!! great images, I love the sense of scale, the climbers look tiny ๐ do people really propose up there? the climb must be as tiresome as a marriage… lol ๐
Interesting comparison, tiresome like a marriage. ๐ ๐ ๐
Thank you as always.
well, I wouldn’t know… mine ended up too quickly ๐ but it’s hilarious… I’d take someone up that bridge to propose only if I hope he won’t be able to catch his breath to accept… lol:)))
but enough spamming…
Lignum, have you seen this, may be interesting for you: http://www.emergingscene.com/viewContest.aspx?id=1064
I see. You’re a teaser. And if he did manage to say yes, at least you could run down and he would be too tired to chase after you. ๐
Thanks for the link. I’m surprised the prize from a Dubai company is only $1000, considering that if you are in the top 3, you are responsible for printing and safely sending the winning print to them. That would eat up almost half the prize money!
Stunning photos! This bridge climb is not something for the faint-hearted. ๐
Thank you. Yes, it takes a lot of advance planning to get a spot on the climb. You want to be sure you’ll go through with it.
Superb shots Lignum, I feel as though I am on an awesome roller-coaster ride . . .. and this is as close as I all ever get to climbing those stairs. Thank you for the views!
Like a roller coaster. I like that comparison. Thanks Patti.
A marriage proposal at the summit? Thanks, but no thanks ๐ (between you and me, I have acrophobia…)
I don’t think you’re alone. ๐
I wonder why they didn’t just build 1000 steps why did they have to make it “and two steps?” very interesting indeed. I would love to climb a thousand and two steps going at 50 steps every minute (I need to take a breath) that would take me twenty minutes. Does it take twenty minutes? what is the shortest time possible??? or what is the climbing record? Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
The standard climb takes 3 1/2 hours, which probably includes the time to come down. I believe there are regular stops to rest and admire the view, after all it is quite costly so you want your money’s worth. Climbs occur at dawn, during the day, sunset and night.
There is an express climb which takes 2 1/4 hours. There’s never been a race to the top and you can’t climb it independently, so I don’t know if anyone has done it faster.
Thanks for the questions. Have a great day.
Wow – what pictures! ๐ Makes me realise just how small we are – they look like ants on there!! ๐ฏ
Yes, perspective and relativity really make an impact.
Wonderful shots! I’m afraid of heights so I guess I could never make it there:)
Looking forward to seeing your photos from the top;-)
Thanks, but much water will pass under the bridge before I ever climb it. ๐
I chose this one ๐ Thank you, Draco ๐
You’re welcome.
Pingback: B&W Sunday: The Big O Party | Lost in Translation
You are an amazing photographer, Lignum Draco! Though-provoking and inspiring! Great shots!
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the compliment. ๐
Thought-provoking ๐
You know, I read it that way anyway. ๐
Whoa! Looks like a walking roller coaster….kind of scary. I would stand below and be content to just look up and watch. For the most part, I like to keep my feet on relatively solid ground!
Looking up can be kind of dizzying too. ๐
Great shots of the bridge
Thank you very much.
At 85 years of age like me natural the bridge would be a bit rusty.
1932 was a hell yeay, although my birth in Belmore did not get a mention in the book.
The thing is the bridge is still doing a great job and what a sight for pirotecnic displays.
I rave on a bit but I have been on a pleasure cruse arround your blog and wanted to let you know that like old Swartsniger โIโll be back.โ
Thanks very much. I hope you enjoyed the tour around.