Gusher!

[Mike Buckley]

The public utility is replacing the water main in our neighborhood.

I looked out my bay window, saw the scene and immediately knew that I just had to photograph it. I had no idea whether the gusher would last minutes or hours. As I removed my camera from my tripod in my makeshift studio, I though about how to photograph the scene. I also thought about the fact that my camera had no memory card in it. I knew my 35mm prime lens would be ideal and, fortunately, it was already mounted on the camera. I also knew the polarizer would be helpful, so I rushed inside my home to my camera bag and quickly mounted the filter on the lens. I wanted to stop the action of the water flow to display its power and knew from my experience at capturing waterfalls that a shutter speed of 1/500 second would probably work fine. I also knew that I wanted to isolate the utility scene from the rest of the neighborhood as much as possible, so I selected an aperture setting that would keep the utility scene and nothing more in focus. To make all of that happen, my camera was already set to Aperture Priority (it's set that way virtually always), so I configured the Auto ISO to automatically use a shutter speed no slower than 1/500 second. Only two things left -- the composition and exposure.

It's just a fun shot perhaps fitting at best for a small, local newspaper. Despite that it's such an unimportant image, I thought afterward about the considerable amount of thought required to make it as good as possible (focal length, polarizer or not, depth of field, shutter speed to stop the action of the water, don't forget the memory card, crouch down low to make a good composition and expose it properly!).

My camera will be at the ready just in case the water flow is still going strong at sunset. Perhaps I can capture it in better light. Is this an enjoyable hobby or what?!

[Mike Buckley]

Shutter speed: 1/1000 second

[Sergio M.]

Thanks for insight into your thought process in the short time it took you to get your gear and take the shot. It's amazing how much goes on in our heads in that short period.

I agree with you, it is an enjoyable hobby.

Sergio

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Sergio.

They figuratively pulled the plug, which means they literally plugged it up. There will be no gusher at sunset. Darn!

[Shadowman]

Nice stopping of the action, did the utility workers chase you away?

[Mike Buckley]

did the utility workers chase you away?

Just the opposite. It's a really nice group of guys that have answered all of my questions over the last few days. The guy who released the water onto the street was glad to see that I was taking photos. He explained that his girlfriend is also an avid photographer "that uses Photoshop and all that stuff."

[Wavelength]

So these are the products of your reflex action to an event happened around and the results are fine