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1667
1668

Long Exposure of a Lighthouse. (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by IRepostYourShit

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[–]GODFATHER_OF_REDDIT 97 points98 points ago*

From the last time this was posted:

Looks more like 2-3 exposures per second stitched together, otherwise it would be more continuous, no? My experience is that lighthouses either rotate or flash some pattern, but never both.

EDIT: Looks legit. effriti provides source with explanation.

[–]effriti 44 points45 points ago

source with explanation: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mumbleyjoe/2043508173/

"Capturing a shot like this is tricky because the lens itself actually rotates, which looks great but is tough for long exposures. But for the first 5 minutes they leave it static to indulge all of the photographers who turn out and want this shot.."

[–]NeoSniper 3 points4 points ago

I feel like an idiot, because I still don't get it even after reading that.

Was is really a continuous 2 minutes shot? Was the light being turned off and rotated a bit before being turned on again?

[–]musthavesoundeffects 10 points11 points ago

It is a fresnel lens, and not a single beam. It actually looks just like that (I've been there for the occasion).

[–]Banana_Jello 1 point2 points ago

Cool, so is it a 30 second exposure or a one minute? Where is this by the way?

[–]ezraekman 31 points32 points ago

This photo is legitimate. Once every year, Pigeon Point Light Station holds a lighting event in which the Coast Guard turns off the normal Aero beacon spotlight and lights the old oil-burning lamp inside the fresnel lens, which in turn generates the multiple beam shown. The event lasts roughly an hour long, with the first and last 5-10 minutes holding the lens still for us photographers, then the remaining 40 minutes in between rotating the lens so that everyone else can enjoy the spectacular sight of the rotating beams.

This was the shot I took two years ago by poking a 10.5mm fisheye through the chain-link fence you see in the first photo, and angling the lens upward. (Cropped, with most of the fisheye distortion removed in post.) It's incredible in photos, but absolutely amazing to see in person.

[–]one-half 3 points4 points ago

The lens has been removed for at least the next several years.

[–]ezraekman 0 points1 point ago

Yep, due to some kind of maintenance. Hopefully it means they'll open the upper part of the lighthouse back up for tours again once they're done! :-)

[–]Methadose 2 points3 points ago

Awesome photo, I enjoyed even more than OP's.

[–]ezraekman 4 points5 points ago

Thanks! I wandered around a bit during the evening's event, trying out a few different spots. But this one was my favorite by far. All of the other angles said "Lighthouse by cliff". This one said "Space lighthouse vortext thingy", and that's a winner in my book. :-)

[–]spazmodic- 2 points3 points ago

Very interesting! For others, this diagram shows a lighthouse with a multi-fresnel lens housing. Each lens would make a single beam, and the end result would look like the photo.

[–]Philias 2 points3 points ago

I really like the fish eye distortion on the light beam. Makes it look like a dome.

[–]ezraekman 2 points3 points ago

Yep! It's one of the reasons I like this photo so much... kind of like you're inside a giant planetarium, or a tiny world. :-)

[–]diggpthoo 0 points1 point ago

I'm so glad I decided to check the comments on this repost. If only I could csi-uncrop it for a background :/

[–]ezraekman 0 points1 point ago

The crop was mostly to remove the wonky curved edges of the frame that were created by the removal of the fisheye distortion. You're not missing much of the photo.

[–]aperturo 3 points4 points ago

I have a shot I got similar to this for a visitor's bureau for a small port town near me - the lighthouse light would blink as it rotated, which led to the similar effect. You're right to wonder, though.

[–]Airazz 1 point2 points ago

I have a question: the other night I took some pics in the street and street lights have these same spikes, as seen here. Why? Why don't I just see a one massive blob of light? They are not rotating or flashing. This particular pic was shot at F22, 30 s exposure.

[–]driftingphotog 1 point2 points ago

It's caused by diffraction. The number of points is equal to the number of blades in the aperture. There's a nice explanation here.

[–]bicarb 0 points1 point ago

My immediate guess is that where there is no light between the beams, is where the window frames are blocking it from shining through..

[–]MrSh0w 11 points12 points ago

Pigeon Point! Between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.

[–]SlattCatt 16 points17 points ago

Ampharos is feeling better then.

[–]Lastsight 13 points14 points ago

Alan Wake?

[–][deleted] ago*

[deleted]

[–]TeamVlad 6 points7 points ago

Last time on Alan Wake

[–]Isarian 1 point2 points ago

You don't even recognize me, do you writer? You think you're God? You think you can just make up stuff? Play with people's lives and kill them when you think it adds to the drama?

[–]Isarian 2 points3 points ago

I had to go to the lighthouse - I knew there was something important for me waiting there.

[–]Thorus 1 point2 points ago

Well... you know... lighthouses are even outside in "Real Life".

[–]Lastsight 0 points1 point ago

But who ever wants to go back to "Real Life"?

[–]tbar4 4 points5 points ago

Why hasn't the moon moved?

[–]DRo_OpY 8 points9 points ago

It has... about a whole 200 miles

[–]ximacx74 4 points5 points ago

That's no moon!

[–]YosemiteFan 0 points1 point ago

It did move of course, but it's not that obvious for two reasons.
First is the fog, which makes it appear as an indistinct orb in the first place. Second, I shot this with quite a wide lens (10mm) so the moon's movement is not proportionally significant relative to the overall field of view in the photograph.

[–]Antrikshy -1 points0 points ago

Because long exposure wasn't for that long. He lighthouse could have been quite fast and this is probably only one rotation.

[–]matchstiq -1 points0 points ago*

"That's no moon."
But in all seriousness, I don't think that's the moon, I think that's a... I don't know what you call it... a reflective flair from the lighthouse in the lens of the camera. Usually this "reflection" goes over the center of the lens, which suggests to me that this is a crop.

[–]finds_original_image 6 points7 points ago*

http://i.imgur.com/27aQ5.jpg

[–]matchstiq 0 points1 point ago

Keep up the good work. We believe in you.

[–]young_derp 2 points3 points ago

Last December, I got a shot of the same lighthouse. Here it is during the day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37431516@N07/5486706774/in/photostream/lightbox/

[–]gilbertsmith -1 points0 points ago

The two buildings in the background are missing.. no fence.. hmm..

[–]Oh_the_CAKE 0 points1 point ago

Exact same lighthouse, bottom building, chain fence around lighthouse... I'm guessing the fence was added so people don't fall and the buildings are out of view due to the day picture being taken at a lower height.

[–]gilbertsmith 0 points1 point ago

I was thinking it was some standard Lighthouse building.

[–]perverse_imp 2 points3 points ago

After years of selfless dedication, many a cold night spent, and many a friend forgotten, the lone scientist still waits for the return of Dragonite. That he may one day befriend the mythical creature of the sea. It is said that to this very day, sometimes in the quietest hour of night you may hear the soulful tear inducing cry of the gargantuan beast calling out for friendship from across the sea.

[–]Shadow703793 2 points3 points ago

Appropriate user name. This is like one of the main pics that come up when ever you google long exposure.

[–]InGordWeTrust 2 points3 points ago

Sweet. You found the Ninth Gate.

[–]justfeedme 2 points3 points ago

kinda resembles Brendan Perry's Ark. Wait a second, it's the same lighthouse. This one looks better though. Well done, sir, well done...

[–]PumpyChowdown 0 points1 point ago

It's the same photo.

[–]justfeedme 0 points1 point ago

The one in this thread was taken from slightly different angle

[–]BreakinGlass 2 points3 points ago

Looks like The Point in San Diego, or maybe all lighthouses are created equal.

[–]ArsenicAndRoses 7 points8 points ago*

The multi-beam effect is not due to the long exposure. This is a lighthouse with the old-style "Fresnel" lens that focuses the light from a single source into many beams.

Here's a picture of a lighthouse with a stationary Fresnel lens. (source)

Here's a close picture of the lens itself.

edited for clarity

[–]mankind121 3 points4 points ago

That first picture is of the same lighthouse.

[–]blitzkrieg3 2 points3 points ago*

I visited a lighthouse recently and Fresnel lenses are really cool. This page is the best I can find out on the internet about them. Different lenses create diferent flash patterns. The lense in OPs photo creates 24 beams of light by using 24 bulls eye lenses. Contrast that with a fixed lense which makes no oncentrated beam but more of a halo, and has no flashing pattern (it can constantly be seen).

Edit: here is the actual lense consisting of 24 bulls eye sides in OP's photo.

[–]ArsenicAndRoses 0 points1 point ago

They are really cool, aren't they? It's a shame they aren't used as much anymore (though I guess high-intensity halogens are safer?).

[–]Iron-Charioteer 1 point2 points ago

A standard issue neuralyzer.

[–]eightnine22 1 point2 points ago

Bravo... What brilliant shot.

[–]paulnew2000 1 point2 points ago

My new desktop. Thanks!

[–]ashkas 0 points1 point ago

Me too!

[–]DominicDom 1 point2 points ago

Would have gone perfect in /r/ExposurePorn

[–]matchstiq 0 points1 point ago

SUBSCRIBED!

[–]DominicDom 0 points1 point ago

Thanks. It's growing fast. Spread the word and feel free to x-post from there

[–]lefence 1 point2 points ago

Man... This would make a great TF 2 hat.

[–]Watchyouthink 1 point2 points ago

http://i.imgur.com/Z3PVc.jpg

[–]one-half 1 point2 points ago*

This lighthouse is is serious danger of crumbling. The first-order fresnel lens has been removed for restoration efforts, so there will be no more pictures like this for several years. It would be a tragedy if treasures like this were lost because people only like to look at pretty pictures, and not do anything to help.

Official page: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533

How you can help: http://www.calparks.org/programs/improving/pigeon-point-lighthouse.html

Other pics of this lighthouse: http://www.myparkphotos.com/parks/Pigeon-Point-Light-Station-State-Historic-Park.html

[–]YosemiteFan 0 points1 point ago

This is sadly true. I don't believe they're able to do the lighting like this anymore either (due to cost and state of the lighthouse). It's really a shame - thanks for posting the links.

[–]kinboy 1 point2 points ago

Why is it striated and not a full, flat beam of light on the plane of the rotation?

[–]YosemiteFan 1 point2 points ago

Hi. Original Photographer here.

It's been correctly pointed out elsewhere among the comments, but, yes, this is a single exposure. The details are fairly thoroughly explained on my flickr page here or my personal website here.

The lens was only stationary for a few minutes, after which it began rotating. This was obviously taken during the stationary phase. No real long-exposure magic, per se, it just so happens that night is dark and a long exposure was required. To satisfy curiosity, I just posted a photo taken shortly after this at much higher ISO and a shorter 5s shutter speed, which illustrated what 5 seconds of rotation looks like. 5-second exposure

Enjoy! :)

[–]Shitty_Watercolour 2 points3 points ago

http://shittywatercolour.com/post/19963586103

[–]RyCohSuave 0 points1 point ago

Sweet pic, brah.

[–]KyleChief 0 points1 point ago

Is that the lighthouse near Batesmans Bay in Australia... I swear I recognise it...

[–]furburn 0 points1 point ago

great shot!

[–]SCSweeps 0 points1 point ago

MY EYES

[–]HurpDurpington 0 points1 point ago

Que Sandstorm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HQaBWziYvY&ob=av2n

[–]Boozdeuvash 0 points1 point ago

I s'pose there's a CORE commander inside.

[–]freeload 0 points1 point ago

How long exposure? Better get yourself checked.

[–]speqter 0 points1 point ago

What should the shutter speed be to take an image like this?

[–]kickstand 0 points1 point ago

Two minutes long.

[–]lawree1291 0 points1 point ago

is this nobbys point in newcatsle, australia?

[–]scnavi 0 points1 point ago

Fucking Magneto.

[–]Harutinator 0 points1 point ago

Flashbang out!

[–]rawroar 0 points1 point ago

That's amazing! Wish I could try this!

[–]Berilium2 0 points1 point ago

I am definitely going to try this!

[–]footballa 0 points1 point ago

Well. Since the speed of light is 300,000,000 m/s, why would you need an exposure longer than ~0.000001 seconds?

[–]colslaue 0 points1 point ago

Reminds me a lot of Alan Wake

[–]CKmoon 0 points1 point ago

That L4D lighthouse map. Classic

[–]Alephw 0 points1 point ago

I have seen longer

[–]ngomong 0 points1 point ago

Setting up a "that's what she said" alley oop?

[–]kyote 0 points1 point ago

Wonderful photo. My only regret is there isn't a really hi res version I could use as a desktop wallpaper. Upvote all the same, I love it. :)

[–]vaultzero 0 points1 point ago

I wanna marry a lighthouse keeper and keep her company. I wanna marry a lighthouse keeper and live by the side of the sea.

[–]spiderobert 0 points1 point ago

If it's a long exposure, why isn't it just a solid ring of light?

[–]spiderobert 0 points1 point ago

Never mind, I have found that using the skills that were driven into my head as a child I can simply read the comments and find the explanation.

[–]Alphalfa_Omegatron 0 points1 point ago

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!!!

[–]pppjurac 0 points1 point ago

Not a long exposure. Look at ArsenicAndRoses comment.

[–]DeafRowe 0 points1 point ago

Kind of unrelated but I used this picture to go along with a remix that I did. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwpBpBoXgrU

[–]mrfrasha 0 points1 point ago

/r/LightGraffiti for more excellence

[–]bobaimee 0 points1 point ago

THAT IS NEAT

[–]la_de_daa 0 points1 point ago

Thanks for my new background, friend.

[–]rovert42986 0 points1 point ago

never seen this before

[–]otakuman 0 points1 point ago

For a second I thought the thumbnail was the Torch Lady from Columbia Pictures :P

[–]FelineTamer 0 points1 point ago

oh thats good, i'm going to buy a t3i this spring, anybody know where i could get a good deal on one?

[–]Lionsgatekeeper83 0 points1 point ago

Just wait until the middle age Jesus freaks start posting this on Facebook telling everyone how amazing God is...

[–]dagoon79 0 points1 point ago

sick photo

[–]mrfujisawa 0 points1 point ago

Triforce location: found

[–]Cendeu 0 points1 point ago

I've always wanted to see a lighthouse in person. But I don't live near the ocean.

[–]Jetme92 0 points1 point ago

Are you sure this isn't a screenshot from BF3? XD

[–]crapjob 0 points1 point ago

This is what happens when I finally pee after a long hard fought battle with my bladder.

[–]redlion81 0 points1 point ago

Location of the Dark Tower in our dimension?? Nice photo.

[–]imprezasurf 0 points1 point ago

How do you get an image like this just through long exposure? Wouldn't the light from the lighthouse wash out the image?

[–]nickels55 0 points1 point ago*

While I'm no pro, more of an enthusiast, I'd suggest trying the following: Use the highest F stop. Use a very low ISO like 100. Use a Neutral Density (ND) filter to cut down the amount of light reaching the lens.

Edit: info from original shot: Exposure: Manual exposure, 114 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200

[–]Troobs 0 points1 point ago

From the background of knowledge Hollywood provided me with, i would say it's about to implode.

[–]jaxspider 0 points1 point ago

Welcome to /r/ExposurePorn.

[–]rheaume 0 points1 point ago

EDIT: Well this image hit DIGG.com today (Nov/07)

Ouch

[–]litkedeep 0 points1 point ago

I looked through all the comments ... why is nobody mentioning what is obviously a UFO? part of the conspiracy?

[–]MauiWowieOwie 0 points1 point ago

I love long exposure pics. You can get/make some wild shit out of it. Like light paintings...

[–]thefinalfall 0 points1 point ago

Not a long exposure and another repost. Regrettably

[–]dtooman 0 points1 point ago

This just became my desktop picture. Awesome.

[–]yutha313 0 points1 point ago

Turn off that Taclight.

[–]KoNP 0 points1 point ago

Woah... you located the ivory tower!! You must name the childlike Empress or we're all doomed.

[–]baltakatei 0 points1 point ago

IT IS HERE AFTER OUR BLODO RITUALS AND OBNOXIOUS TECHNO MUSIC THAT WE HAVE SUMMONED... THE MIGHTY VALKYRIE.

[–]copyandpasta 0 points1 point ago

Try a super high aperture.

[–]DarkLightx19 0 points1 point ago

Why is it not disc shaped?

[–]Amadness 0 points1 point ago

Probably one of the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen. The kind of picture I'd buy.

[–]anderangel73 0 points1 point ago

Aww pret.. Wait.. UFO!!

[–]khg002 0 points1 point ago

Looks a little like Ocracoke North Carolina

[–]cicero_legume 9 points10 points ago

I believe it to be Pigeon Point Lighthouse, just south of San Francisco. Fond memories of the little beach off to its left.

[–]justastupidkid 2 points3 points ago

Thats the one. You can see the hostel to the left and the chain link fence around the light house proper.

[–]Spacemanspiffnf 0 points1 point ago

Yep, grew up 5 miles south of there. Drove by it to school everyday.

[–]karma_virus -3 points-2 points ago

"Take THAT Atheists!"

[–][deleted] -4 points-3 points ago

Christians 1 - Atheists 0

[–]haemoglobinman -2 points-1 points ago

Looks so spiritual.

[–]ITdoug -2 points-1 points ago

Great shot. I haven't seen anything like this yet (which is hard when every other person is a "professional" these days). Original and well done. Upvote for you my friend.

[–]tosss 1 point2 points ago

Since I'm not sure if you're joking, I'm going to leave this here for you.

[–]ITdoug 0 points1 point ago

I can see how that sounds sarcastic, but I was being sincere. I used to work at a Photo Development Shop and every frigging day I would have "professional" photographers with the worst images you would ever see. It's tiring to be like "yeah yeah its great, you're great, nice camera, blah blah" every day, but it was refreshing to have someone with actual talent come by. You are the latter :)

Edit: Can I save this to my Desktop?

[–]tosss 0 points1 point ago

The link I posted is a website that searches for the image, and this image has 187 results.

[–]ITdoug 0 points1 point ago

Boy is my face red

[–]Gandalf_The_Faggot -2 points-1 points ago

Yeah... http://i.imgur.com/9bHko.jpg

[–]ATAC9093 -3 points-2 points ago

Solid beams wouldn't come out of a single shot no matter the lenses or dslr camera you use. One cannot simply change the mechanics of photography. One can, however, use that crap called PhotoShop and make something like this by, as said before, splicing individual shots taking at different times while the light house rotates.

[–]YosemiteFan 1 point2 points ago

That, or you simply don't understand the circumstances behind the photograph.

[–]ATAC9093 0 points1 point ago

Right, clearly I forgot to read the part in the Canon User Guide where it explains how you should bend the fabrications of light and time before posting a picture to the internet.

[–]YosemiteFan 0 points1 point ago

Well, all I can say is I took the photograph you're looking at here, and you're wrong. It's pretty well explained up above, so I won't repeat myself.

[–]mblitch -4 points-3 points ago

Downvoted for incorrect title. Long exposure would have a huge sweeping arc, this is more -multiple exposure' wither several shots stitched together.

[–]fuckyou_space 1 point2 points ago

It is a single shot long exposure. The lighthouse Fresnel lens was not rotating at the time of this picture.

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