Weekly Assignment: Searching for the Lost Art of the Neon Sign

[PWS-Staff]

For this assignment, pack up your camera (and maybe your tripod) and head out in search of that eternally colorful and bright beacon of the night: the neon sign, whether it's at the local pub, pizza joint, or perhaps at a motel.

From "Exposure," by Jeff Wignall

[InspiringFotos]

What better way to spend a weekend getaway in a resort and just go out and have fun with your camera. I first went into town for dinner and saw neon lights in a sport bar, during the sunset hour. I did not care for those shots as they were in a window. I did not see much of a glow effect that I wanted. The following night, I went to dinner at the resort and saw this neon sign. I knew this was the picture I wanted to take. I first took the shot at portrait night mode with flash and the flash washed out the neon glow. I then took this shot handheld with no flash after the sun had set at AV mode, daylight white balance at 1/25s, f/5.6, ISO 1600 with my Canon.

[goldcoastgolfer]

That's a great shot.  I reckon you could probably crop it so that if follows the rule of thirds - take a bit off to the left and it might fill the frame up a bit more.  My other thought was that if you have Lightroom or Adobe or something similar, you could get those lines in the wall you can see straight up and down which really would finish the picture off.

[InspiringFotos]

I did crop it a little bit to take away some of the empty wall. I do have Adobe, I will try your suggestion.

[goldcoastgolfer]

There should be a function in Adobe that allows you to fix camera lens distortions for the straight lines.  When i'm home tonight I'll post some pictures which shows the effects.

[goldcoastgolfer]

Just to keep on topic I'll create another post with the photos in the Speaking of Photography area.

[InspiringFotos]

Thank for the tip. I will look for the camera fix function in Adobe. Love the surfing picture. I tried taking some surfing pictures with my Kodak and telephoto lens once when I was in San Diego, but it was on a cloudy day, so the water didn't have that green or blue tint as your picture does. I notice you have a Facebook page, can I add you to my Facebook?

[goldcoastgolfer]

Absolutely please do.

The water isn't actually that blue - I've been working on my post processing skills in Lightroom while you were recovering