chunter | photoblog » Three Queens

camera	Canon EOS 10D
exposure mode	full manual
shutterspeed	1/125s
aperture	f/8.0
sensitivity	ISO200
focal length	32.0mm
resolution	757x526 pixels

At the risk of boring you silly with these things, (I know Ellie caught these fine vessels from a different viewpoint), here is a very rare picture of three Queens in the same shot. They are, from left to right, the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth II) in for a refit, the Queen Victoria preparing to sail, and the Queen Mary 2, already on her way.

We followed the QM2 from her berth up the water where she turned in her own lenth and passed back past the other two for this historic event - the last time they are scheduled to be together in Southampton.

Ellie

cool Britannia

29 Apr 2008, 01:25

Oh well done you

What a shot, and crystal clear too!

chunter: Not easy when standing in the back of a wobbly boat! Fortunately I had the EOS 10D with 15-30mm wide angle lens attached, and this shot was taken with that.

I also had the EOS 5D with 70-200mm image stabilised lens and 2x converter. At f/2.8 and ISO 400 it allowed me to use quite fast shutter speeds, but whichever camera I used, I still had to time the shot at the top or bottom of the rise and fall of our boat. There were hundreds of small craft out there churning up the surface making for a bumpy ride.

Astrid

The Nehterlands

29 Apr 2008, 05:20

It never bores me to be part of an historic event, this is unique to see these 3 majestic vessels in on shot, you were lucky to be there too.
This is a great picture.

chunter: I was very lucky indeed, Astrid. I wasn't even aware of the event until my brother, who lives nearer to Southampton, invited me to watch it from his boat.

Thank you as always for your comments.

John

Norwich , England

29 Apr 2008, 06:21

what a marvelous picture . A privelage to see such fine representatives of this Queendom.

chunter: Indeed it was John; thanks for stopping by.

Tracy

Staffordshire

29 Apr 2008, 08:05

Wonderful shot I just love the overwhelming size of these ships. Just imagine the expense of running one of these beauties.

Lovely

chunter: They are indeed ginormous. We got close under the blunt end of the Queen Mary 2 when she was turning round and I took one or two shots to try to illustrate the huge proportions. Her bum really does look big in black!

Bill Phillips

Droitwich...looks like rain later

29 Apr 2008, 08:51

I'm glad you and Ellie recorded this. I don't recall anything in the media about it...to busy gibbering on about Amy Winehouse and the like I guess

chunter: I didn't see anything about it either, Bill. I was lucky that my brother has a small motor boat at Lymington and he was on the ball. Must have been in the local press, or perhaps the grapevine among the yellow wellie brigade was brought into play.

monika

Great Britain (UK)

29 Apr 2008, 08:59

That's a historical moment, well seen! Very crisp as well. And I know exactly what you mean with this wobbly boat! I start my 'narrowboat trip' series tomorrow, 75% of my pictures were extremely leaned!

chunter: I haven't tried narrow boating yet. I always wanted to but had the irrational feeling that I would be wasting time because of the extremely slow pace of life while engaged in it. Of course I know the theory of the benefits of relaxing, but I just can't quite kick start such a holiday. I always feel I should be doing something more. Of course then I need to get back to work for a rest! As I said - irrational!

David from Skye

29 Apr 2008, 10:14

Well done Colin, and thanks for posting it for us al to see- it looks like your lens was only inches above the water!

chunter: Thanks David - my pleasure to bring this to the masses.

Assuming my feet were slightly below the waterline (but fortunately inside the boat at this stage - but see tomorrow's post!) and my eyes are a little below the top of my head, this would have been approximately 5 feet above water level, give or take the swell. I think the wide angle accounts for the illusion of being closer than it really was.

Richard Standley

France

29 Apr 2008, 10:45

Wonderful shot. You captured a great historic moment here!

chunter: It didn't feel very momentous at the time - just a good wheeze - but in retrospect I guess it was quite an event and a privilege to witness it.

Thanks as always, Richard.

tim

leeds uk

29 Apr 2008, 20:35

fantastic capture Colin and worthy of enlarging and framing and a place above the fireplace

chunter: Thanks a bunch, Tim. Not sure Mrs.H would go for it above the fireplace but I get your drift. Perhaps in my gallery in the stairwell.

Louis

South Africa

29 Apr 2008, 22:44

Not boring, very interesting to see how the other part can spend their time. Lovely - the notion of a passenger ship in today's age is almost novel. (My feeling)

chunter: I know what you mean Louis. The concept is from a bygone era; or perhaps that's my perception just because I haven't been on a cruise. Maybe I should take one, but the idea that if you don't like it there's nowhere to go (and the exorbitant cost) puts me off.

Les Auld

Southport

29 Apr 2008, 23:14

A grand capture Colin, especially from a small boat. Great viewpoint.

chunter: Thanks Les - in particular for recognising the difficulties of the task while using a small boat for a platform! It was worth it though to get the unusual viewpoint.

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