Story Behind the Shot: Theodor-Heuss River

Long exposure shot with the makeshift tripod, exposure 13 sec
Theodor-Heuss Bridge, Rhine River, Mainz, Germany, December 2014
Panasonic GF5, ISO 160, F10, 13 sec, Cropped for Panoramic, Makeshift Tripod

It was a cold night, and we just returned back from dinner.  Instead of going back into the warm fireplace in the lobby of the hotel, we headed to the back lot to search for the famed musical steps, a set of 9 brass metal plates on the ground when you step on each, will create a tone.  Dark as it was, we walked around the back lot and finally heard the voice of some teens and the tones that sounded like the musical steps.  It was in the farthest corner of the lot alongside the river, without any lights or landmarks to attract attention, and we wouldn't have found it without hearing someone else playing it.

As the other group left, we went and tried it ourselves, but we were no musicians, and all we could come up with was just a random mix of tones.

Feeling the cold air was nice, but it was also getting windier, being beside the river.  But the night view was spectacular.  Who would have thought that a back lot would have such a good view.  This place definitely deserves a few benches for people to enjoy it.

My photographer in me could not resist getting a shot.  Imagine a bridge, night lights, traffic, water.  This is a great opportunity to attempt a long exposure shot.  I didn't have my usual DSLR, but had a micro-four thirds that I use, just not as often.  So my familiarity to do long exposure with this camera was quite weak.  Also attempting this without my trusty tripod requires me to crank up my ISO, which would give me a good shot, but not really a great shot.  I wanted to test out my long exposure skills here and try to capture light trails, starburst lights, reflections and silky water.  So I walked around a bit and found a metal pole at the adjacent parking lot.  To my disappointment, it was a hollow pole and my camera was too small to even sit on its rim.  Tried a shot anyway, but was not really happy.  It was getting even colder and windier, but the urge to take another shot was just so strong.  So despite the cold, I walked down a bit further, and luckily found a pole that was filled with cement.  Not entirely flat but I think will work.  So I attempted my long exposure shot here.  Wasn't happy as it was still wobbly and windy.  But persistence pays, as I tried a couple more shots and found one useful one out of the 15 shots I took!  Not bad for an amateur, I guess ;-)

Another long exposure shot with the makeshift tripod, exposure 40 sec
Theodor-Heuss Bridge, Rhine River, Mainz, Germany, December 2014
Panasonic GF5, ISO 160, F18, 40 sec, Makeshift Tripod

1st clear shot taken handheld, exposure 2 sec

Theodor-Heuss Bridge, Rhine River, Mainz, Germany, December 2014

Panasonic GF5, ISO 160, F3.5, 2 sec