The District, a photo from Tennessee, South

Photographer's Note

Nashville, Tennessee: the home of American Country music. Nashville has long been the center of the country music scene, since some of the first recordings and labels were founded there after World War II. Country music itself has a fascinating history, which I explored a bit in my time in Tennessee; a combination of old English, Scottish and Irish folk songs, mixed with cowboy songs of the West as well as African American music and rhythm, country music is one of the many hybrid music forms to come out of the American South. Jazz and Blues are two other important examples - uniquely American forms of music, built upon the immigrant experiences of their forebearers.

The District - a downtown area centered on Broadway - is the modern heart of the country music scene in Nashville. Much like Memphis' Beale Street or the French Quarter in New Orleans, Broadway is at the same time the vital heart of the country music performance scene in Nashville and a major tourist trap and party zone. Brightly lit by neon, with music pouring from every open door, even in winter it seems not unlike spring break.

Here we see a few of the establishments along the street; the only one I entered whose sign is visible here is the distant Honky Tonk Grill. The etymology of the term 'Honky Tonk' is for the most part unknown, but the term itself basically simply means a country bar. I'll post a couple shots from acts in the Honky Tonk Grill, and others, in the next few days.

This was taken handheld at a 1/15 second exposure while holding up the people I was with, who were trying to get into a bar. Ah, the sacrifices made by our traveling companions...

Larger version on Flickr, here.

holmertz, timecapturer, Hansaphotos, tyro, mayjayne, SnapRJW, abmdsudi, kasianowak, delpeoples, jacquest, macjake, Didi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (92724) 2013-03-09 7:28

Hello Andrew,
The shape and the bright lights of the big city make this picture very visible among the other thumbnails. It will no doubt generate a lot of visits. It's a very eye-catching photo showing some of the street-life as well as what the crowds are looking for. Did you ever see the Robert Altman movie Nashville? Definitely one of his best.
Best regards,
Gert

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-03-09 8:18

Andrew,let me congratulate You to this magnificent shot!
You kept us waiting quite long for your first photo from
Tennessee,but it was really worth.The outcome you achieved here is amazing(I couldnґt reach such quality of my photos of neons in HK even when I used tripod and with help of HDR technique).So your new lens pays off.And concerning the scene itself-it was great idea to frame it like that.You present us both the neons(and they look really fabulous) and the nightlife in Nashville in superb quality.
Great shot and I can only say Iґm waiting for more!

Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

chrisvek (7003) 2013-03-09 8:25

Hello Andrew

Great usage of ligthning here and nice saturation.Awesome POV and colors.Well done!

All the best
Chris

timecapturer (49288) 2013-03-09 8:55

Hi Andrew
like this! A real sense of the atmosphere of this famous City and excellent clarity considering hand held. Colourful and attractive image. Would love to visit Nashville, big fan of the music. Perfect execution and presentation this. Well done!

Enjoy the weekend - Brian.

Hansaphotos (11379) 2013-03-09 10:23

Hello Andrew

A very nice black hour shot of these neon signs. A scene that reminds me of Beale street in Memphis, as you mention in your note. Technically a very well done shot with excellent colour rendering. Great job:) TFS. Have a nice weekend.

Best regards, Erling

Miguel82 (47106) 2013-03-09 10:39

Acl,
Good light management, interesting note about Nashville and its story
Good colors and pov
Bonne soiree

rogerl (1632) 2013-03-09 11:05

Andrew, great shot. I love the colors here. "Bright lights, big city", as Willie says. The framing is outstanding as well. I'm surprised you managed this without a tripod at 1/15. It gives me hope for my 1.8 in very low light. Nicely done.

JFS (32459) 2013-03-09 11:27

Hi andrew,
Nasville well known around the world for its music and neons! Good street shot, full of light and atmosphere.
Have a good WE!
Juan

tyro (30513) 2013-03-09 14:31

Hello Andrew,

This is a very striking photograph, even in the thumbnail version, and it's quite a departure from your usual style. Not a state capitol building in sight!

You did extremely well to capture this as sharply and clearly at 1/15 second handheld, but you've done it and done it very well indeed. Excellent simple and very strong composition, fabulous vibrant colours and contrasts, perfect exposure (not easy in this situation and certainly even more difficult with thirsty companions pressing you on), and excellent details and sharpness.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.

mayjayne (7354) 2013-03-09 20:24

Dear Andrew,

The shot was very well executed, with the bright neons lights and atmosphere well presented here. Informative note as well!

TFS,
May

Nicou (193806) 2013-03-09 20:27

Hello

quelle vue sur ces enseignes lumineuse fantastique captage de nuit et image superbe vue avec l'animationde la rue une merveille.
Bravo et amitiй

Nicou

ikeharel (105793) 2013-03-10 3:30

Good morning Andrew,
Night scene well collected, with people gathered in front of the Bar where there probably a band of country-music.
Great colors collected, no excessive bulbs-glare.
Cheers,
Ike

Hanssie (11018) 2013-03-10 3:37

Very good photo of a nightlife.....

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-03-10 4:56

Ha Ha Andrew, when you said you were holding up the people you were with I thought for a moment you had already visited the 'Honky Tonk'! Good vertical presentation with lots of atmosphere giving a sense of place. Lucky you going to Nashville, it must have been brilliant, a place I would love to see (and hear). Well done on managing the light so well, nice clean and colourful shot. Warm regards rosemary

abmdsudi (88423) 2013-03-10 10:21

Hi Andrew
It stands out in the gallery for the eclectic array of neon signs that illuminate the narrow frame and i really appreciate the depth here over the whole pic!
i am sure the night life there is great and i think this is a big attraction for the people who travel there with loads of interest. I love the crispiness, bold and great atmosphere. Great shot, Congrats.
Kind regards

batalay (41261) 2013-03-10 18:23

Hi Andrew,

Excellent light management, and a good choice in employing the vertical format. There is a corner at Broadway in San Francisco highly reminiscent of this scene.

Warm regards,

Bulent

kasianowak (15760) 2013-03-11 1:14

Hi Andrew
Great lights and colours. The vertical panorama format suits the subject very well.
As always, great to read your note!
Best wishes
Kasia

delpeoples (60326) 2013-03-12 1:37

Hi dear Andrew

I love this photo, it's probably among my favourite in your Gallery. It's so funky, so traditionally American with superb exposure and colours. I like the bookmark framing and the inclusion of the people adds to the dynamism.

Thanks for sharing, have a great day
Lisa

emka (152060) 2013-03-13 0:12

Hi, Of course, when I hear Nashville, I think at once about country music. Excellent night shot. Are there flying piglets? I like the guitar with a hat. Must be a great fun to be there. Wonderful post.

WArm regrads

MAlgo

serp2000 (47063) 2013-03-13 10:26

Hi, Andrew,
This photo suddenly reminds me the Walking Street in Pattaya. But this is very typical for tourist places. Good night colours of the neon lights, fine vertical composition. TFS!
Greetings from Ural!
Serghei

kato (11630) 2013-03-14 3:45

Hello Andrew,

You're capturing well night street scene by a good composition and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see the signboard of a country music club with which neon shines. It's impressive in the color contrast between the night in the sky and the shining neon, too. And, people's wave which it has let out to the passage shows the vivid life of this place.

Kind regards,
mikio

jacquest (19251) 2013-03-17 8:59

Hello Andrew,

Thnak you for vsisiting my photo. Here, this is a very well done image considering the conditions you describe. I like signs because they tell a lot on a city and part of the landscape. Good colors and excellent sharpness for this one.

Best regards

Jacques

macjake (96151) 2013-03-22 4:37

Hi Andrew
pretty darn good considering the fact its handheld.
and its good to see the lights aren't burnt out, b/c with bright neon, if the exposure is too long the colors turn hot white.
the black areas of the photo are just as pleasing, its so important to have the strong contrast.
I have to be honest in that visiting Tennessee isn't on my travel radar, but i can appreciate it :)
thanks again...stay tuned for iceland soon i suppose :)
cheers
craig

Didi (61587) 2013-04-10 10:03

Hi Andrew
Very good lights control in this night view
Nice colors
Well done
Best regards