Altamont Pass (CA), Turbines, Clouds, High Contrast, Monochrome

Altamont Pass, Livermore, CA

The wind turbines at Altamont Pass are a sight to behold even if the wind is absent.  These structures, old and new, are sentinels watching over the hills.

(Click thru the image for the 700px view)

Once again, the post processing is through Nik Silver EFex Pro 2 with the intention of creating a high contrast photograph to invoke a mood, primarily a sense of gloom and doom.  The fence line towards the bottom of the composition is intentionally dark, giving just a glimpse of the metal T-posts when it catches light off the sun.  The clouds have been reduced to the point where they appear as smoke trails appearing from the right, off image.

EXIF data: Nikon D7000, center weighted metering mode, ISO 200, 38mm, f/8, 1/100 sec

Altamont Pass (CA), Turbines, Clouds, High Contrast, Monochrome. Altamont Pass, Livermore, California. February 05, 2011. © Copyright Steven Tze – all rights reserved.

Red Barn, Wind Turbines, Long Exposure

Sherman Island, Montezuma Hills, CA

A relatively so-so day shooting architecture in Berkeley and Oakland.  Almost halfway on the drive home, I spied this red barn from the highway and a sign indicating a levee road rapidly approaching.  Less than 5 minutes later, I was ready to shoot.

(click through on the image to view in 700px of long exposure blur)

As I was driving to the Bay Area and passing through the city of Antioch at 7am, I had seen two separate power generation plants in operation, with towers spewing water vapor/steam (at least that is what I assume it to be) into the air.  A perfect setting for long exposure photography.  By the time I was on my way back — nothing.  Either the plants were not in use or perhaps the unseasonably warm temperatures (mid-70s) prevents the vapor from being seen.  It would be the first of two setbacks as the foundry in Berkeley was also not in operation as I passed by.

Luckily, the wind along the Carquinez Strait was brisk enough to move these massive wind turbines.  Each of these turbines typically generate 1 megawatt per year, or enough electricity for 1,000 homes.  Using my 10-stop neutral densty filter, the sight of these turbine blades in motion almost look fake.  The shadow coming off the tower and turbine provide an added element of interest.

EXIF data: Nikon D7000, center weighted metering mode, 86mm, ISO 100, 30 sec, f/11

Red Barn, Wind Turbines, Long Exposure.  Montezuma Hills from Sherman Island, California.  November 04, 2012. © Copyright Steven Tze – all rights reserved.