Pigeon Point Lighthouse 2010 lighting

SeaSurfnBird

The 138th anniversary lighting of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse occurred on November 13th, 2010 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Historic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> with 3,000-5,000 people in attendance. Several photographers stake out their tripod spot as early as 6:30 A.M. and are very tight lipped about their settings. The 115 foot 1872 brick masonry tower still has the original First Order Fresnel Lens built in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Paris</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place> in the 1850s and originally installed in the 2nd Cape Hatters Lighthouse briefly before being shipped over to the west coast. Consisting of 1,008 glass pieces of prisms and lenses, the Fresnel Lens was designed by French scientist Augustine Fresnel. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
I have to work during the lighting, but I always slip away just before the light turns on because the Coast Guard will not rotate the light for the first five minutes for photographers. After that, the rotating motor turns on and slowly rotates around. The effect for mariners is a white flash every 10 seconds as the beam of light sweeps by their ship. This is the signature pattern of Pigeon Point.<o:p></o:p>
The first photograph I took was from on top of the Dolphin House hostel so I could capture the half moon and escape the hordes competing for "the shot". I used my new Nikon D90 with my 18-55mm Nikon ED lens at f/8 at 30 seconds. I used Lightroom 3 for my post production edits. What I was dismayed at was the two glaring camera lens reflections or flairs from the light and the moon that I tired to fix to the best of my ability:dunno. Not sure how to prevent this or fix it properly, so any advice would be helpful<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1&quot;></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape style="WIDTH: 27.75pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" id=_x0000_i1025 type="#_x0000_t75" alt="0"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif&quot; src="file:///C:\Users\Jeff\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape>. <o:p></o:p>
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The second shot I got just before the light was turned off and again the rotation is turned off for photographers. This time I took it from behind the Carpenter's Building looking strait up with my Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens at f/8 at 30 seconds. Both photos are 400 ISO. I have to use LR3 to bring out the beams and undistort the fisheye. I like this photo for its simplicity. <o:p></o:p>
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Thanks for viewing this thread. Any advice is very much appreciated.
Jeff

an-aroostook-eye

Really nice pieces of art! Bravo!

SeaSurfnBird

thank you!

eoren1

Nice job with both shots. You got some great captures with the small aperture producing such a vibrant star!
Only nit is the dark object at the light in the second shot...not sure what it is but wish it wasn't there...
E

Doug Solis

A couple of beautiful shots, not sure which is my fav so they both must be. Nice work on both compositions, like how you included the Moon and stars.

SeaSurfnBird

eoren1 wrote: »

Nice job with both shots. You got some great captures with the small aperture producing such a vibrant star!
Only nit is the dark object at the light in the second shot...not sure what it is but wish it wasn't there...
E

thank you!! Yes the object is the balcony overhang installed in 1972 for the automated aerobeacon. yes, I agree it messes up the composition.

I wonder if I could have used a filter to get a better image of the half moon?

ian408

That's a really nice second shot. The coast looks clear as a bell! Of course, it's been warm and clear here this week

DsrtVW

Darn I wish I knew about this event. I would have been there competing for tripod space.
Nice shots.

SeaSurfnBird

Doug Solis wrote: »

A couple of beautiful shots, not sure which is my fav so they both must be. Nice work on both compositions, like how you included the Moon and stars.

Thank you very much!!!

SeaSurfnBird

ian408 wrote: »

That's a really nice second shot. The coast looks clear as a bell! Of course, it's been warm and clear here this week

Yes, I was kind of hoping for some fog or clouds to bring out the light beams a little bit more, but it was also nice to see the stars. I kind of wish I framed the Ocean a bit more.

SeaSurfnBird

DsrtVW wrote: »

Darn I wish I knew about this event. I would have been there competing for tripod space.
Nice shots.

You know, I thought of postng something up here about it. Last I looked, I did not see too many posts on Smugmug of the lighting. Lots of camera clubs were here. San Jose, Santa Clara. There is always next year...

Anyone know about night filters to keep the moon from being over exposed? What about the flair issue?
Jeff:mlane