the giant dipper roller coaster in Santa Cruz, CA.

Roller Coaster One

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 17 June 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

The 'Giant Dipper' on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California. I've taken many roller coaster photographs over the years - this is my favorite.

© copyright 2010 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
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Comments (11)

Mike from Lichfield, United Kingdom

I like this photo. Most people, including myself would pan across to keep the riders in focus, but you've gone about it backwards and it works really well. I like the warmth in the colours too.

17 Jun 2008 5:22am

@Mike: Thanks, Mike - I hate to think of the number of times I've shot this coaster from this exact spot. I've tried many different lights and techniques - and this effect was a surprise to me, too. Sometimes we 'dumb luck' into something that works.

See The Light from Newcastle, United States

Fantastic image. love the colors and the lights.

17 Jun 2008 6:47am

@See The Light: Thanks, Mary.

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

Great image Stephen, thank you for the email

17 Jun 2008 8:38am

narcís from Catalunya, Spain

M'agrada molt aquesta imatge!! El contrast entre el vagó en moviment i les bombetes estàtiques..... Bons colors!!

17 Jun 2008 12:46pm

sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Whoa, what a great shot! I can hear the screaming:-)

17 Jun 2008 1:31pm

@sherri: Sherri - this coaster is only seventy-five feet tall but packs a wallop. It starts by plunging the riders through a very sharp "S" turn in total darkness - leading to the chain that will drag you to the top. That'll prime your screamer!

yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece

great moving background - I like it a lot

17 Jun 2008 3:06pm

@yiannis krikis: Thank you, Yiannis.

Alisha from Bielefeld,Germany, Germany

Thats really nice ,i like the Lights in front!!!

17 Jun 2008 3:33pm

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, United States

magnificent shot stephen! love the angle, the motion and blur of the carriage... stopped by the stillness of the wooden frames / trestle and the glassy bulbs. fantastic capture!

17 Jun 2008 3:51pm

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks, DJ