Isolation, a photo from East Sussex, England

Photographer's Note

Like a giant birdcage the wrecked West Pier languishes in an early spring sunset over the city of Brighton in East Sussex, England. Opened in 1866 it started to deteriorate in the mid 1970's and was subsequently damaged by the elements and then by two fires in 2003. All that is left now is this sorry isolated framework, whilst various debates and plans circulate as to whether it will ever be rebuilt.

Copyright ｩ Brian Denton � this image is protected by copyright - the reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of which, whether for personal or commercial use, is strictly prohibited without my express permission.

If you want to use this image then you can contact me via the Trek Earth mail forwarding service.

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Critiques | Translate

Nicou (193814) 2012-10-11 6:47

Hlelo

Grandisoe ciel et iamge sueprbe compo et cpatage quelle vue et compo quelle iamge un ciel magique de r黐e ce reflet et ces couelurs rouges et oranges, grandiose de r黐e.
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-10-11 8:25

Hello Brian - A different style from you today but, in my opinion, no less lovely than your usual style. I like the monochromatic look of the shot with the sky and sea coloured by the setting sun. I like the way the clouds and contrails add texture and we can just make out the birdcage as the sun dips down. Atmospheric work. Warm regards Rosemary

mjdundee (4663) 2012-10-11 10:16

Hi Brian,
A almost surrealistic scenery with the fragments of this once famous pier standing forgotten in the surf.
I hope the politicians and investors will find a solution before the sea takes it away.
TFS
Thomas

williewhistler (16606) 2012-10-11 11:15

Hello Brian,
I do like the light filtering through the clouds and its reflection in the sea,the skeletal remains of the pier are a sad reminder of past glories.
A lovely shot with loads of atmosphere.
Les.

BennyV (34780) 2012-10-11 12:21

Terrific shot, Brian. I know the wrecked pier from your previous posts, and it's great to see it again here. Sunset colours are terrific and bring out the skeleton wonderfully. Congratulations.

Benny

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-10-11 13:47

An atypical shot from you, Brian, but a beautiful one. There a lot of detail hidden in this low light, with an outstanding sky bathed in orange. The pier itself is fascinating, and this lighting and framing makes it look almost ominous. Very well composed.

Andrew

macjake (98544) 2012-10-11 14:36

Hi Brian
although i havn't written/critiqued your other past 2 posts, they are both wonderful aswell, nice shots all around.

I chose this one simply because its something different than your usual - which is always nice once in awhile.

funny how you call it the giant birdcage.
lovely colors and atmosphere all around.
the wispy clouds give it that extra pizzaz too.
nice work with the lighting.
cheers
craig

jjcordier (79299) 2012-10-11 22:02

Brian
Le "squelette" de cette jet馥 "meuble" de tr鑚 jolie fa輟n ce coucher de soleil tr鑚 color� qui donne de beaux reflets sur l'eau.
Amicalement
JJ

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-10-12 1:41

Hi Brian,
Superb moment of the day. I like the colors and the atmosphere. Well taken, enjoy a fine day.

Daniel

tyro (30513) 2012-10-12 3:03

Hello Brian,

We have seen your other pictures of this ruined West Pier before but this is yet another stunning one.

I'd love to come with you and see what you do when you take shots like this - you never know, maybe on a future TE meting or something like that - because I rarely quite have the courage to shoot directly into the sun and, if I ever do pluck up the courage to do it, I end up with big blobs of lens flare and other horrid aberrations. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it - and by email too if you're still getting virus warnings from the forum!

In fact, although this is a lovely "low key" picture, I just wonder exactly how dark it was when you took this: probably not that very dark considering your aperture and shutter speed.

Again, lovely lighting, gorgeous colours and stunning sharpness. And, of course, fine composition too.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

siudzi (34141) 2012-10-12 12:38

Hi Brian,
Very moody image executed with an extremely great light management. Like it a lot. Very beautiful composition.
Best,
Malgorzata

delpeoples (60342) 2012-10-13 14:21

Hi dear Brian

What a great subject and time of day you have chosen, and how skilfully you have photographed it. That the wreck from a fire can be attractive is certainly thanks to those skills. The colours are magnificent, as are the sillhouettes. The way you have managed shooting into the sun is extraordinary. What a beautiful shot. Congratulations.

Regarding your virus alert and the forum, I had the same problem a while back and tried this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-fake-microsoft-security-essentials-alert. After that, I had no more problems.

Your comments in my previous photo were so moving and I am so happy that you are here today, happy, healthy and clicking away on your camera. I hope and pray that you are now completely recovered and will stay that way. Movember is a great cause and like you, one which is very close to my heart. My little brother was diagnosed with late stage Hodgkins Lymphoma at 19. As a young male, he was right in the demographic for this terrible cancer. Thanks to brilliant specialists, amazing technology and stem cell transplants, he's still here today. So I'll be doing my best to grow my mo in Movember ;)

annjackman (23019) 2012-10-14 3:39

Hello Brian,
The old pier looks rather forlorn against that glorious sky. An iconic skeleton captured beautifully. The colours and clarity are excellent. I like the vertical line of red reflection that just gives a touch of brightness to the dark FG.
Superb!
Kind Regards, Ann

m00n (2259) 2012-10-15 1:21

Great frame and climate. Everything is perfectly composed and selected. I would not change anything. This photo draws attention and attracts. I like the atmosphere you have created here.
Very well done!