Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands photographed straight up by Cameron R Neilson
Kids these days have amazing video games. I remember when the 8-bit Frogger game came out for the Atari 2600 game console. The graphics weren’t as amazing as going to the nickel arcade, but it was still better than my friend’s cassette-tape-drive version for the Commodore 64 which took about fifteen minutes to load. The hours spent playing Frogger probably contributed to the success in this image.
The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam is Frogger in real life. To get to the center of the bridge, I had to cross the bike lane, the traffic lane, and finally position myself on a zero clearance platform between two trolley lines. All without getting smashed. It’s all about timing, pre-planning, and expedited movements. I had my friend Marjolijn help spot for trolleys–the main concern, since they are fast and quite dangerous. After studying the traffic flow, I knew I’d have about twelve seconds to make the image, reverse course, and run back to safety. I wouldn’t recommend doing this, but I successfully completed the gauntlet three times to get this image. I find it interesting that the trolley lines aren’t parallel to the center of the image–something you’d never know unless standing in the middle.
Below is a photo Marjolijn made of me running back. It was, as PSY would say, full on Gangnam Style.
Cameron R Neilson in Oppa Gangnam Style photograhed by Marjolijn Metz
Barcode in Oslo, Norway, photographed straight up by Cameron R Neilson
One of the newest neighborhoods in Oslo is the Barcode Project. My host, Melissa Hegge, whose number one awesome design blog you should check out http://www.ideastosteal.com turned me on to this area.
The exciting architecture create fun shapes when looking straight up and I was very happy to see the Barcode Project. A quick check on wikipedia explains that this area is also a bit controversial amongst some residents of Oslo for the odd shaped buildings. Time will tell, but I like them today. This was photographed on my first day in Norway where it rained almost the entire day. Luckily I found a little shelter from the rain and was able to make this shot before getting too wet.
Atomium in Brussels, Belgium, photographed straight up by Cameron R Neilson
I had a quick stopover on my way to Rotterdam and I headed the 25 minutes from the central station directly to the Atomium Sculpture. It’s hard to get a sense of its mammoth scale. I think the stair case helps.
Eifel Tower in Paris, France, photographed Straight Up by Cameron R Neilson.
Sad news to report: there is construction at the tower and I couldn’t get directly underneath for the obligatory straight up image. To the side I went and waited patiently for the clouds. The Eiffel tower is undoubtedly one of the busiest places I’ve travelled to on this trip thus far–busy isn’t always good. Besides the hundreds of people waiting to take an elevator or hike (as I did) to the top, gypsies, pickpockets, and machine gun armed troops lurk around the base. It’s all a bit surreal and somewhat unnerving. Regardless, I went there alone, made several images, and have a few tips for fellow travel photographers to keep gear secure particularly since as photographers, we are excellent distracted targets:
Besides keeping your wallet in an inside zippered pocket and all the other common sense travel warnings here are my tips. This may be a bit much, but traveling alone without a second set of eyes means taking a few extra precautions. Losing a camera and data inside would be devastating, so I avoid the possibility at all costs–even if it makes me look a bit paranoid:
1. Survey the scene. It is important to study the environment before subjecting yourself to potential hazards. I wait around outside the fray of people to figure out the scene–know where the police are, the machine gun toting troops, bottle-neck areas, and quick exits.
2. Back to the wall. I’m not sure if this is good or not, but it works for me. While surveying the scene, I limit the amount of area I have to survey. A fence or wall makes it easy to not worry about your back.
3. Don’t Speak. Just shake your head if someone asks you “Do you speak English?” It’s an easy ruse to distract you even more.
4. See yourself. If you can keep the sun at your back or along one side, you can see your shadow, and the shadow of anyone else close by. Reflections in shop windows are also very good.
5. Long tripod. Extend your tripod and have it extend a couple feet behind you–best when walking along sidewalks.
6. Purpose. Move with purpose, be quick, thorough, and move along. A quick pace is helpful.
7. The Crazy Ivan If you’ve seen Sean Connery in the Hunt for Red October, you know what a Crazy Ivan is. I’ve modified it a bit. If I feel like someone is following me, I quickly change direction 90 degrees (hopefully towards a police officer of wall) and see if I am indeed being trailed. Alternatively, do a quick pivot, and walk the other way. The idea is to be crazier than any person following you, not so predictable, and totally aware of your surroundings.
Luckily all went well at the Eiffel Tower and I only pulled one Crazy Ivan (the 180 degree version). My hunch was correct, I was being followed by a guy videotaping me. It was the third time I’d seen him with his camera pointed at me in six minutes, probably harmless, but nevertheless a bit odd. He quickly turned as I walked towards him, and I made a hasty exit (walking directly past a police office just in case).
Université de Créteil in Paris, photographed Straight Up by Cameron R Neilson
On recommendation from a French friend at my favorite go-to restaurant in NYC, Meatball Shop, I was introduced to the “Cabbage” buildings at Université de Créteil on the outskirts of Paris. The balconies on these buildings are shaped like leaves from a cabbage. The particular one with the morning light is named Pablo Picasso. The buildings look more like asparagus to me.
On the way to this location for sunrise, I rounded a corner at a quick walking pace and startled a tea cup chihuahua being taken for its morning walk. The dog ran and wrapped its leash around an adjacent street sign post. As the dog continued running the leash wound around the post 3 or 4 more times–shortening the leash each time. Eventually, the dog became airborne for another half wrap on the pole. The dog owner and I had a good laugh.
Place de Vosges in Paris photographed Straight Up by Cameron R Neilson
The Place des Vosges in Paris is located in the le Marais district and is the oldest planned square in Paris from 1605. The sky threatened the day of photography, but luckily the few drops from the passing clouds above dispersed and I was able to get several new images including this–one of my favorites from Paris.
