Speed of Light

Tucson, Arizona

I stumbled upon this tunnel on Google Earth, tucked away in an unexpected corner of Tucson, Arizona. It felt like a hidden treasure, waiting to be discovered. Intrigued by its location at the end of a seemingly ordinary road, I decided to explore it further. We spent countless nights here, driving various vehicles through the tunnel and experimenting with different lighting setups.

Capturing the perfect long exposure shot required a lot of time and patience. We tested multiple vehicles, from standard sedans to SUVs, to see how their lights interacted with the tunnel's unique structure. The lights on an SUV, being higher up, created a more three-dimensional effect, while the lights from a standard sedan were too low and didn’t have the same impact. This discovery was crucial in achieving the dynamic light trails I envisioned.

The silence of the night added to the enchanting atmosphere. The gentle breeze of the desert whispered around us, and the rhythmic chirping of insects provided a soothing background score. Each time a car drove through the tunnel, the stillness was momentarily broken by the hum of the engine and the crunch of tires on the road, only to be restored again in the peaceful intervals.

Finding the ideal time to shoot was another challenge. Initially, we tried capturing the scene in pitch-black darkness, but the results were disappointing. The night sky didn’t blend well with the scene. It was only during twilight, when the sky turned a deep, rich blue, that the magic happened. The contrast between the vibrant light trails and the serene sky created a mesmerizing effect that brought the whole scene to life.

Reflecting on those nights, I remember the thrill of the hunt for the perfect shot. Each session involved meticulous setup and waiting for just the right moment. The sound of cars driving through the tunnel over and over again, paired with the desert's tranquil ambiance, made those nights unforgettable and a true adventure.

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