Recently I got access to shoot on an oil tanker in Long Beach CA and stayed after sunset to get some twilight and night shots. Photography is highly restricted on a discharging tanker because of the possibility of fire or explosion. This ship was off-loading bunker oil, which is a thick oil used to power ships and not as volatile as other products like gasoline.
This ship is an American flagged ship, which made communications with the crew easier than usual. The captain was very accommodating and allowed me access to shoot except within 100 feet of the discharge hoses.
This is the view from the roof of the wheelhouse, or the flying bridge, literally the top of the ship. The mix of sodium vapor lights on the orange deck complements the cool blue tones in the foreground, which is actually white.
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This view is right behind the wheelhouse (on the right). The structure on the left is a crane. This shot wouldn’t be as interesting if shot midday. Most everything looks good this time of day!
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This ship had recently been in drydock, and was very clean and freshly painted. Again, the complement of orange and blue really works in this shot.
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This is a fire-fighting nozzle on the “B” deck. The green tone is from the tarnished brass, adding more color to an already colorful image.
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Back on the dock, you can see the 12 inch hoses that discharge the oil. It then goes to a tank farm about a quarter mile away via underground piping.
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On another note, a couple of weeks ago while in the Bay Area, I reconnected with my old college teacher and mentor, Steve Harper, who first got me started in night photography many years ago. Now in his 80s, nearly blind and hard of hearing, he still has the passion for photography, as difficult as it is for him. We were lucky and had a warm, windless evening.
The above shot is at twilight in San Rafael, looking south towards the Richmond Bridge. These people sure have a nice view, living right on the water. In the upper right you can see the new eastern span lit up in the background, about 7 miles away.
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In this 4 minute exposure, you can see the full moon through the leaves and its reflection off the bay. The foreground light is from an LED street lamp.
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Using my Sony camera at a very high ISO, I was able to make this hand-held shot of Steve setting up a shot. Note the magnifier he is holding that he uses to see the screen on the back of the camera.
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Steve was nice enough to sit for this two minute exposure for the last shot that evening. The shadow to the left of his head is his dog, Georgia, who refused to sit for the two minutes.
It was great to catch up with Steve and go out shooting for a couple of hours. It was like old times, talking shop, wandering about looking for the right view and making images. I was happy to see that he still has the enthusiasm to get out and shoot, despite the physical limitations. I hope at his age, I’ll still be able to be as engaged and continue to create. Thanks, Steve.
And from us – thank you, Tom …
Thanks Tom…
Always something new and interesting.
You find such gorgeous colors! Nice compositions too. And Bravo to Steve who seems to be able to adjust to conditions so he can continue to film. An inspiration!
Great images Tom!
Tom, Outstanding!!! It was great they gave you access to the ship. Even more outstanding was that you were able to get with your old friend for great pictures!!! Memories like this will be with us for the rest of our lives.
Arzell
Cool to see those images from the night we went out shooting on the Bay near San Rafael. Thank You.
It never ceases to amaze me how you are able to control such intense foreground lighting and yet retain the atmosphere an odor of the sky. Great job – and beautiful images – as is usual.
Your pictures are so interesting, as usual. The last few looks so crisp and clear. You are right, in the pictures of the oil tanker, the colors do complement each other. I love all the blues and the contrast of the bright orange. Thank you for sharing!
Nice shots, Tom. Love the tanker.
As usual, incredible shots. Always enjoy your photography. Especially nice with the human element.
Tom,
Wow those tankers are huge. Great scale and colors. My favorite was the one with the fire-fighting nozzle.
Dan
Hi Tom-
Very nice post. There is nothing quite like a professor who takes you under his/her wing. It was heartwarming to see your images of him. Next time, get a shot of the two of you together. Obviously, Georgia is not up to the task, but perhaps a passerby?
Those are some stunning photos, Tom. Well done!
Tom,
That’s great – that you two got together! Steve and I had a couple of outings at night a while back – wine country and Treasure Island (think Steve enjoyed TI the most!). Lance keeps trying to get up that way – hopefully he’ll make it soon . . .
tb
As usual Tom, these are wonderful. I so love your images. I’m hoping you’ll come back to Long Beach and teach another class. I’ll be first in line. By the way, I bought a Sony NEX 7 with the 16 mm lens, 55mm-210mm lens, and an 18mm-55mm lens. I LOVE it. I can take it places I can’t take my Nikon. The quality of the images are amazing.
Hi Tom
great to see this work
any plans to visit NJ gain?
wonderful work, Tom. Good to see you got together with Steve and included him in the shots. Hope to see you next time you come up this way.
Tom,
Your tanker series was fantastics with all those wonderful lights
you captured in Pavia’s special vision. Glad you got Steve Harper
out shooting too. John Chan