Turned On

05 May 2006

So this was the big neon sign that was my ultimate destination the other night when I drove around town looking for neon signs to shoot. I've passed this six foot high sign numerous times and thought it'd make a good photo, and it didn't disappoint.

It's along a main (thorough-fare) road here, with a variety of retail, residential and industrial places surrounding it. But at night, it's pretty much the only place open, as traffic zooms by at 60KMph. So when I parked in the shop next-door's carpark, then ran across the road and set up my tripod the shop owner must have been watching, because not 10 seconds later he came out and yelled a curious yet authorative "Whatcha doin' mate?" "Just grabbin a shot of the neon, man," I yelled back, which seemed to satisfy him, and he didn't bother me again.

So as the intermittant traffic zipped by, I tried shots from various angles, on different exposures and zoom. Then I walked back across and tried some close perspective angles, occassionally stepping out into the near lane when a long-enough break in the oncoming cars allowed.

Course, this was my last shot. And it's the one I like best. Always the way.

[edit 31/05/06 :: submitted to Lensday Neon]

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