Sydney May 2014 (2 photos)
“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” …Aaron Rose (film director)
In its simplest form, photography is about finding and capturing the light. I think that the mere act of carrying a camera makes me look for light. I didn’t have many good shots that morning so after an almond croissant I was hoping my luck would change. And so I was walking through this tunnel when I realised that I was in the middle of a wonderful photographic set, with a great light source. I was the only one in the tunnel at the time, so I did what I had to do…
I stopped, turned around and walked back out of the tunnel.
Back outside I waited for someone to come along. I got a few stares from the security guard in the meantime.
A few people came by but I wanted a single pedestrian. Then along came a guy and his dog. I gave him a 10 second head-start and then I went in after him. He wasn’t walking in the middle of the tunnel as I would have liked, but candid photography is like a box of chocolates. When he was near the exit and silhouetted by the light, I took my shot.
Life always seems better after an almond croissant.
“Light is creation. Darkness is the space necessary to create.” …Erica Jasmin Cartaya (author)
“In the beginning there was nothing. God said, “Let there be light!” And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better.” …Ellen DeGeneres (Ellen)
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Love this! Stunning picture Draco, and the use of light to create an awesome photo!
Thanks Indah. As they say, it’s all about the light. 🙂
Can only agree, in terms of the result, LD. 🙂
Thank you kindly . 🙂
“Life always seems better after an almond croissant.” I like it! 🙂
And, thank you for sharing another beautiful B&W image with us.
Thanks very much for the kind words. We can find inspiration all around us, even in an almond croissant. 🙂
Very noir. John Alton jumps into my head.
Thank you kindly. He was a master of painting with light.
Well done !
Not sure that this picture would be better if the pedestrian was in the middle of the tunnel…
Thank you, and after a bit of thought, I think you are right. It appears better balanced this way.
I agree…I think it looks perfect with the person on one side….
It is a wonderful shot L.D!!!!
Thank you very much. 🙂 The asymmetry works well in the end.
Actually I think a lot of times our real world is quite asymmetric !!!! 🙂 🙂
Asymmetric and upside down. 🙂
Great image! I feel like I am there…
Thank you. The light draws you in.
Wonderfully rich texture on the tunnel walls – I kind of like the subject to be a bit off center as the balance of the composition is to symmetrical.
Thank you. I believe you’re right and I’m happy with this result. Perfect symmetry is hard to attain, and a bit of imperfection to symmetry adds interest.
Exactly!
“Life always seems better after an almond croissant.” – Very true. Now I am hungry and would love to get my hands on one of those. I really need it to make my life a little bit better 🙂
You see, the answers to life’s problems is so simple. Almond croissants! 🙂
Awesome photo.
Thank you very much.
Beautiful. You sure know good time timing – it’s like you make it happen. Or maybe you’re just very patient. Security guard? I am sure you weren’t fazed one bit. Croissants are oily…but almond croissant…yummmm 😉
I had to get it in one go. Loitering in the tunnel would have been suspicious, and going back out a second time would really have grabbed the security guard’s attention.
All this talk, I think I need an almond croissant now. 🙂
True. You could have always said to the security guard that you were looking for a shop that sells almond croissants and just got lost 😉
I’ll remember that excuse for next time. 🙂
Love the light!
Thank you. The light draws you in.
Never had an almond croissant. Well, when we break bread together it will be an almond croissant. Love these black and white images!
It pairs well with a coffee, and a good chat. Looking forward to it one day.
Thank you very much.
Super contrast between the light at the end of the tunnel and the wall of it.Great idea of photo simple and not at the same time because the dynamic plage is big.
It represent the opposite of the life and it is lead us to our future .
Have a nice week Draco 🙂
The strong light makes a great focal point, and the eye is naturally lead towards it. Then you see the detail is slowly revealed in the darkness, kind of like a movie scene.
Thank you very much Sophie. Have a wonderful week too. 🙂
Excellent!
Thank you.
absolutely draws you in to the shot
I once read that depth is created by placing the brightest object in the scene furthest from the camera. I think it works.
That must have been some powerful almond croissant – a fabulous catch of black and light!
Thank you Patti. From the simple act of walking through a tunnel to the taste of an almond croissant, we all find beauty in the simplest things.
😀 you had a tasty snack and suddenly the world seemed better 😉 A photographer should never stop hoping for a perfect capture. You did it as so many times before 🙂
Now you know the secret of my photography: a happy stomach. 🙂
Thank you very much Paula.
I love this photograph, Lignum.
Such a wonderfully mysterious mood.
Finding good light makes all the difference. Thanks Lisa.
😀 Lovely! I really want an almond croissant now 😛 Hehe!
Thanks. Me too. 🙂
I actually like that the pedestrian is not walking in the middle of the tunnel. It would have been too symmetric. And me, I like a bit of asymmetry to create interest.
Just out of interest, what time do you usually go out to shoot pictures? Do you have a routine or is it as & when?
Thanks. Others have indicated that as well, and I’m glad it turned out like it did.
Your question is easily answered. Parking in the city is expensive, but if I get to the parking station before 9:30am I get the discounted early bird parking rate. So I go early and shoot in the morning, have lunch, then do any shopping until the designated exit time. 🙂
Good plan. Sounds like you have your days sorted ! I love shooting in the morning … if I can get up.
Yes, getting up early seems too hard at times. 🙂
Great shot, the light is wonderful 🙂
Thank you. I got about half way through the tunnel before I realised the light was good. 🙂
I’ve been going through an uninspired stretch. Apparently, I need to FEED my muse and the world will right itself. I should have just asked you the secret weeks ago. 🙂
Nice shot, L.D.
Thank you. Us dragons have very simple needs. A full stomach and a knowledge of the closest 5 star hotels with public bathrooms, and I’m set for the day.
Perfection at its finest. Dragon keeps raising the bar…
NG may call you soon 🙂
Thank you Amy. You are far too kind. 🙂
Such an outstanding shot, Lignum…
Great perspective effect blended with black and white shades…
Thank you very much for sharing, best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Thank you very much Aquileana. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Fantastic shot. Your patience paid off…and the almond croissant surely helped.
Thank you. The patisserie sells quite a variety, but i just can’t go past the almond croissants. 🙂
Ah, I’ve walked through this tunnel many times as it’s near where I live and I always have to stop myself from loitering (with camera)… Great work as always!
I made the mistake of walking through it once as a class of primary school children was also going through it. The teachers tried to control them, but my ears rang for a few minutes afterwards. 🙂
Thanks. It’s a good place for candids.
Brilliant post, in all of its detail… here’s to life, light and almond croissants, and of course a friendly Dragon to watch over things!!
Thank you kindly. I do try to control the fire breathing. 🙂
I love the title of the post and the way you describe photography in simple words. Great shot Lignum. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much. Simple is usually best. 🙂
the sentence I enjoyed most in today’s story is that you wanted the pedestrian in the middle 😀 I just luuuuve your vision 🙂 you know how to make the most out of what you get…
Thanks very much Alex. Always good to have a plan, but always ready to change it at a moment’s notice. 🙂
You’re back from holidays now?
good morning, Lignum 🙂
yes, am back from vacation and back to work too… sigh…
has it stopped raining there? 🙂
Good morning. That’s the inevitability of a holiday – it has to end.
Still raining and predicted to keep raining for another week. Such is life.
So impressive composition and tone. A great B&W photograph.
Thank you. The light seemed so right at the time.
The Almond Croissant must have made you think clearly! 🙂 Excellent example of a great light!
Thank you very much. I think I need an almond croissant right now. 🙂
Incredible capture @Draco, amazing!
Thank you very much. 🙂
Did the guards give you a 10 sec headstart too? Lol… Love the quotes esp the end one. Life is good esp with almond croissant, also my fav non local breakfast item 🙂 Nice shot!
He probably stared at me. I didn’t look back – just kept walking to avoid more attention. 🙂
Almond croissants always make me happy. 🙂 Thank you.
Great photos Draco and I like your almond croissant philosophy. 🙂
After an almond croissant and a cappuccino, life just seems that much better. 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
🙂
Brilliant!
Thank you.
That’s a very good example of light and dark and how light is everything in photography! Glad to hear you got away with it without being questioned by that security guard! 😉 I remember reading about the importance of light in photography in magazines and books when I was very into it all in my early 20’s. Shadows and light, right or wrong can really make or break a photograph. It’s often the same for art too, not always, depends on the kind of art, but anything depicting real life really does need that light and shadow to be believable. Of course the trouble with art, is you have to have the skill to get the light into the right place. At least that’s a problem you don’t have with photography. I guess it’s more about timing, standing in the right place, and perfect framing. 🙂
Several photographic articles I have read often state that the great painters, such as Rembrandt knew and understood the importance of light and recommended studying their techniques. It’s learning to understand the light that is key.
Thanks Suzy.
“fiat lux!” – let the light be! which is also a car brand in Italy! 🙂 I guess there’s always a (green?!) light at the end of any tunnel… 🙂
LOL. I’ll never be able to look at a Fiat again in the same way. 🙂
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Superbe photo, j’adore … 🙂
Merci.