Re: Themed Thread 4, Architecture

Shadwell: good point well made about moving around the subject and getting the best views before you actually take the shot. The 2nd image of the clock tower is much more interesting to me in terms of its setting and how it places the church firmly in a location. The first is a nice enough image but it could be of virtually any church anywhere in the UK. The second gives us more to do when visiting the image so, as dave n says, less is sometimes more - very true - but sometimes more is better! A good visual demonstration of your point. Thank you!

The technical college is a great example of stunning architecture. Would be interested to see some close ups of the carvings - hint, hint . I must admit, I find it hard to detect the barrel distortion, I just assumed the curvature was as a result of the bend in the road! How is barrel distortion caused and how do we avoid it?

I love the stone balls - excellent choice to go B&W as it really puts the balls firmly into focus. This raises another question. This image, plus Julia's b&w church and dave n's b&w glass roof all show the subjects to maximum advantage. Is it fair to say that b&w is the ideal medium for architectural shots? It 'hides' distractions and is great for contrast, especially where carvings and straight lines are so important to the overall shot.

FranLiz: Ightham is a lovely village and I think you do it justice. This image clearly shows the sloping roofs and the bulging walls that create the character in these beautiful old buildings. All you need is a muddy road and cart tracks to complete the scene! On a technical note, it must be very difficult to get an accurate gauge of the vertical and horizontal planes in this scene, where even the road is on a slope! Did you use a spirit level or are you a naturally straight, upright sort of person? You seem to have managed extremely well anyway!

Re: Themed Thread 4, Architecture

Georgiegirl: Tate Modern; good point about looking up . Goes along with Shadwell's advice... always look around first before firing away! Get the best that's there; look for the new, different view. This is a good shot, but I would have preferred it had the window at the end been bang central at the bottom of the image and vertical (look at the positioning of the base of the CN tower in Andy's shot). I think it would have given more strength to the image, especially with the figures silhouetted at the window. A good shot but would be much stronger with a bit more time when composing it! (sorry, that sounds harsh - I do like it, just trying to help, hope you don't mind?).

People's Friend - must be in Dundee, but where? I've lived just outside DD for nearly 10 years but can't say I've noticed this before! Well done! Is it opposite the High School in the city centre? Dundee has some fantastic architecture; I really should swallow my fear of photography in public places and get over there to show you!

Clock - nice, but the top and the side is missing!

London - classic view of ancient and modern but very nicely done. I like the clouds puffing out of the Eye - like a kid blowing through a bubble hoop! I like the details within this shot, down to the lamp posts. Would be a great place to get a night shot from (although that would be a different themed thread altogether!).

Gherkin - another classic, mirrored by the shape of the structure on top of the block on the right and the vertical height of the crane. Look at the church spires nestled in amongst it all... totally swamped by the push for more, bigger, higher, better - an architectural statement on progress and society? Nice image, thought provoking!

That's all for now folks, sorry I wasn't much use but hope it was vaguely helpful.

BB.

Re: Themed Thread 4, Architecture

BigBoris said:

 Again, same question as before to Pilliwinks or anyone else in the know... what is it, and how can it be avoided and / or corrected?

barrel  distortion  is a curvature of the immage at all edges as if to make subject apeer like a barrel shape it is caused by  shape of lens glass at widest angles  mostly on zooms as corrctly made quality wide angle lenses  mostly will have had this taken into consideration

you can see the effect done more dramatic on a fisheye lens as normaly a fish eye is an extreeme wide angle in effect

the distortion is also more dramatic the closer you get  to subject

i could have improved shot by standing back a little and zooming in but unfortunately room did not allow as i was on the other side of road with shops behind me

Re: Themed Thread 4, Architecture

Firstly - a great big huge thank you to Pilliwinks for coming in to give us a few pointers in the right directions and giving the thread the kick up the backside it (in my opinion) needed.  Whilst the rest of us are trundling along in the right kind of direction, an expert in the field is a definite bonus.

Now a couple of comments

Dave N - Page 2   The louvre blinds in the first pic have that effect that you get when you see the computer monitors behind the news reader on the TV.  Not sure what causes it and have no idea how you would avoid it. Also seems a little fuzzy (but that could be my not quite awake eyes).  I like the second picture more than the third, but think I would prefer to see all the ceiling fan in the pic.  But adore the colours in all of them, and the combination of the blue and teracotta makes such a pleasing impression that the slight fuzziness just adds to the warmth.

Andy -  Page 3  Love the CN Tower, and the impression it gives of extreme height.   Also like the house, but would have prefered it without the flag.  To me, and this is only my opinion, it looks like a postcard, which in a way in a good thing, but think the potential was there to raise it from postcard standard, to gallery standard. Don't ask me how it could be done though.

Dave N - Page 4  Of the 4 glass structure images you have posted I like the 3rd one on the first post best.  The first post shows the context of the building, whereas the 4th one (2nd post) whilst a good image, doesn't do anything for me.   But maybe that's because I've seen the first 3.   The 3rd shot is crisper, and if you look at the writing on the signs, they are clearer.   But without a doubt, to me anyway, fit the architecture brief.

Lloyd - Page 4  Longleat.  I think it is a perfectly reasonable shot, but in a similar way to Andy's house, there is something missing to make it outstanding.  To me, the house and garden does not live up to the promise of the sky.   The garden looks like it is under an overcast sky, and the house looks a little tired. Whilst that is likely this is what the subject looks life in real life, personally I think a little digital enhancement on the contrast might make it zing a little more, and produce a more impressive shot.

Pilliwinks -  Page 5  Totally appalling, you should be ashamed of yourself.    But seriously, having now read your comments, I can sort of see what you mean.    If they were both straight from camera, and if I had taken them, with my new "critical" eye, I would have not been 100% happy with either of them.   I can see how the altered one is very slightly off horizontal, and the ducks are not completely sharp, However, I can only really determine the lack of sharpness when comparing it to the original.   But the original, whilst a nice clear shot, is just "not right"   No doubt due to the converging horizontals.

Shadwell - Thank you for reminding me about Big Ben.  I did actually know that, but most tourists would refer to Westminster clock tower as Big Ben, but I do stand corrected.  As for you pics on Page 2, whilst I'm sure it was carefully composed, I am not keen on the middle one. The item in the foreground looks, to my inexpert eye, as if it's there by accident.   But if you like it, that's the main thing.   But I do absolutely love your balls.  In case you are in any doubt I'm referring to the middle pic of yours on page 3.  I don't know if the original was in coloure but I think it being in B&W adds to the shot.

Pilliwinks- thanks for your comments on my building by the Thames,   I certainly agree that the magenta one is overdone, and it illustrates the point that sometimes too much photoshot can damage a shot.   In terms of the second one, I did think the alterations had  worked on some level, and thank you for pointing out what it is.   I shall go look up John Claridge.

Big B - I notice you also prefer Dave's 3rd image of the shopping centre, possibly for the same reason as me.     In response to your comments about my shots, no not at all harsh.   All of them, except the tower block were taken in London in  January 08.  All were taken on a Nikon Coolpix 3200 (again except the towerblock)   And they all are "as taken"  no alterations whatsoever.   Ok except for the building by the Thames.

Fran - good use of photoshop, however I am still struggling with the concept that this is "allowed", but that's a discussion for another thread.

Re: Themed Thread 4, Architecture

love that peoples friend building just love the art decco period styling beautiful building design  the clock tower shot was just to add something to a boring mediocre shot as it wasn't realy possible to get a decent shot without trees covering  tried all sorts of views  but the first and the one with sculpture in foreground were the only two i took  the balls one is part of the town centre sculpture area  and i always think stones etc look better in b&w  because it brings tone and texture out  wthout being hidden by the colours