Peleton of One

[Brian Moore]

Early morning, Seal Beach, California. This is on Pacific Coast Highway, just as it winds through the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and Anaheim Bay. PCH is a great ribbon of highway for cyclists.

I had actually stopped at this spot to take a picture or two of the marshland, which would be over my left shoulder as I took this photo. (However, my marshland pictures didn't turn out too great; I was shooting those with a Rolleiflex, but square images didn't suit the panoramic vista.)

I turned to check for coppers (I was parked in a forbidden area) and saw this cyclist in the distance. I thought he might give me a good image once he got closer. So I took up a position and waited, my XA--which I had put in my pocket--at the ready, until he got to where you see him now (and where he will now remain forever), whereupon I snapped the picture.

Olympus XA. Legacy Pro 400 film. Developed in Rodinal 1:25 for 6 mins.

 

[Pete Askew]

What perfect timing Brian. The rider is flowing on a line precisely into the RH corner and I like the countering line formed by the LH verge into the middle distance. And what's more, I even learned a new word (and how to spell it - Peloton! ).

Not tried the Digital Ice out yet then!!

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks a lot, Pete. I just felt I needed to wait for him. The rest fell into place without conscious manipulation on my part. (I could have used one of Darren's eyeball-mounted bubble levels, though, as it appears that my horizon flows downhill to the right.) No wait,...this was a deliberate conceptualization intended to represent man's inevitable descent into,....Och,...never mind.

Digital Ice,...? Did you happen to spot any lint on this one?

Thanks again, Pete.

 

[Dave Moss]

Love it Brian

 

[Brian Moore]

Much appreciated, Dave!

 

[Paul Lange]

I also like the way the bright area of the sky centers on the horizon where the road disappears from view. I think it really adds to the impact. Did your burn the sky around the edges or is it as is?

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks very much, Paul. No,...I didn't do any PP. It's how it came out of the camera. Or,...maybe more correctly,...how it came out of the developing tank. Thanks again.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Yep there's a natural vignette on this shot - adds to the impact

Very nice timing - It's great when you can see a picture coming together, AND have time to get the camera out and everything lined up

 

[Garry Lee]

I would make this a strong sepia tint electronically. It would enhancet it!

 

[Brian Moore]

I would make this a strong sepia tint electronically. It would enhancet it!

Have a go if you like, Garry. (Wouldn't mind seeing what it looked like myself.)

 

[Garry Lee]

P1 by gearoidmuar, on Flickr

 

[Brian Moore]

It does look pretty nice in sepia, Garry.

 

[Thomas brookes]

love it brian!!! brilliant lines throughout....... so i suppose you parking in a forbidden area is the first step in to urbex

 

[Brian Moore]

so i suppose you parking in a forbidden area is the first step in to urbex

OMG! It's contagious!

Thanks for the comments, Tom!