Paving the way #1 by goodoleboy
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Description
Captured 2/13/10, early in the morning, about one quarter of a mile from my lackluster lair.
Better viewed full size.
Okay, time to quit fooling around with bland everyday run-of-the-mill stuff -- beginning with this photo I'm posting a series depicting walking into the sun behind a street crew as they repave a very long strip of road. I could have walked in front of them taking pics with the sun to my back as they were working but felt that wouldn't have the stark dramatic effect that silhouetted shots would have, plus I didn't want to miss the opportunity to breathe the same acrid smoke they were breathing. Anything for a photo, right? No pain, no gain! Actually, the smoke wasn't that bad or they would have been wearing breathing apparatus or masks. I didn't cough or cry as a result, and they do it every day for a living.
Anyway, I not only took tons/tonnes/oodles/scads of fotos of the paving work itself, but also of the preliminary efforts involving the equipment breaking up the old street pavement, the vehicles involved, etc.
Consequently, we now have a nice long handsome smooth street to drive/ride upon. They did a top notch job.
Incidentally, it's collages from now on vis-a-vis this series.
Toodles, thankx for looking in, and for any and all complimentary comments and faves.
Comments (19)
Rainastorm
Looks like a hot job...construction can be quite the fascinating thing to take pictures of that's for sure....for a gal, good looking guys in jeans, tank top and rough work boots...woah...:-)
MagikUnicorn
Superb shot
jocko500
makes it look surreal looking here. cool shot for sur and top notch job here too.
babuci
Good job Harry. Your early morning walk pays off. Nice touch with the sun try to break through of the smoke.
MrsRatbag
How dramatic, with the shadowplay in the smoke; it must be unpleasant work for them! Very brave of you to "take one for the team" and breathe that stuff on purpose, I hate the smell of it. Excellent capture!
Sea_Dog
Wow! Power image, well done.
danapommet
That's tough work and you caught it perfectly, with the steam coming off the fresh hot-top. Bring on the collages. Dana
auntietk
What a fabulous image! I love the backlighting with the steam and shadows. Top notch work!
beachzz
Great shot of what must be one of the worst jobs around---especially on those HOT days!!
durleybeachbum
SUPERB, Harry! I love it. They used to tell us the smell of fresh tarmac was good for us..and I still like it.
morningglory
Wow, that's such an interesting shot.
Meisiekind
Excellent shot Harry! The backlight is just turning this ordinary activity into a dramatic play of shadow and light. The light in the dust have such a wonderful effect! Well seen and captured!
debbielove
A great looking shot Harry.. Full of smoke and action.. You suffered for your art here.. Really great work I like this.. Rob
jmb007
bonne photo!
tennesseecowgirl
I agree with how you shot this. You certainly caught the scene in fact I think I smell some fumes.. Looks to be a great series..
trishabadblood
wonderful capture ....
mermaid
this is excellent, Harry, I almost can smell the tar...
myrrhluz
Wow! This is superb, Harry! Perfect positioning for it (glad the fumes weren't too bad). The capture of the light and shadows in the smoke is exceptional! I like the patchiness of the smoke, the guy in in the full light of the sun's rays, and the way the shadows sharply define some areas of smoke, whereas others areas are diffused and billowy. Excellent shot!
anahata.c
I'm back for "one per gallery" today, as I really shouldn't do more than that now (for my health), but I'm breaking the rule because you have 1500 up (and a beautiful 1500 at that), and because this image hit me as soon as it went up. I'm sorry I can't get to more now, because there were many beautiful images in the time I was gone. But for now, what struck me (and everyone else) in this image was the interplay between solidity---that big monster paving machine---and vapor. And the vapor is illumined by all that sun. It's got layers of solid, vapor and light in it, and they all play off each other like a piece of music. All the images in this series did that, one way or the other (with definite changes & variations from piece to piece). The slight tilt of the paver is perfect too, because it almost makes it seem like it's pressing down on everyone. And that blast of light on the right is brilliant. Kudos for going through the smoke to get these shots: What photographers will do, as they say. I'd have pulled away soon after I started, probably coughing half to death. This is one photo where you can almost smell it as well as see it. It's beautiful, for all its acrid assault---proving that photography can make even ugliness stunning to see. You've transformed a big ugly acrid event into an other worldly play of beautiful light, form and shadow. I loved it then, I love it now. Beautiful.