Princes Pier in Port Melbourne is another one of those locations, you know the ones, the location that is part of the collectors set for photographers. If you like to get out with your camera in Melbourne, then the chances are you have a photo of Princes Pier.
Princes Pier, Port Melbourne, VIC - 60mm 30s f 13 ISO400
A quick google image search will tell you that this place has been done to death. There is good reason though. Princes Pier looks out to the west and provides great foreground interest when taking a sunset photo. There is the history aspect of the location and the pillars provide a certain geometrical aspect to any photos taken.
One thing that was lacking upon the image search was night time photos of the pier. Heading out for an outing with the camera club I am a member of, the challenge was there to photograph the pier at night.
Princes Pier, Port Melbourne, VIC - 60mm 30s f 13 ISO400
Whilst there is some light provided by the pavilion on the pier, I decided to use the technique of light painting to illuminate the pier. The question is, how bright do you need the light to be??? Fortunately I happened to be prepared with a 50,000 Lumens torch to illuminate the pier.
My method of light painting was to set my camera on a tripod and use a slow shutter speed. I then experimented with the duration of the shutter speed, the ISO and the aperture for various shots. With each shot I waved the torch about over the pier whilst the shutter was open.
The results I am satisfied with for my first attempt at light painting and I am now thinking, how else can I use this technique to create an artistic image?
Princes Pier, Port Melbourne, VIC - 60mm 15s f20 ISO400