And now for something a little different...

[Darren Bradley]

A bit of a departure from my usual style, I was trying to emphasize mood and ambiance here more than the building itself.



Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Exposure 2.5
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 17 mm
ISO Speed 50

I used ISO 50 because I intentionally wanted to narrow the dynamic range, and I like how 50 looks a lot of the time, even more than 100 (which is supposedly the native ISO for this camera).

 

[Brian Moore]

I like liquor stores, Darren. Not just because of what they sell, but because at night time I like the lights and the endless variety ofshapes, sizes and designs of the stores and their lighting. I have started to collect some images myself. The first was Seal Beach Liquor, but it turned out under exposed. Next was Bob and Jan's Bottle Shop in Cambria, which suffered from a bit of camera shake.Next up will be another liquor store in Seal Beach which I snapped on Friday night with my Canon F1 and Neopan 400 which I am pushing out to 3200 and wondering what the heck that will do. Anyway, I haven't finished that roll yet but if I get a decent image I'll post it. I like this one you've posted. Nice clean and sharp image.

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, Brian. Liquor stores do have a certain feeling about them - especially at night.

I admire your work with film. That all brings back memories for me, and the sense of delayed dread and/or joy at getting back to the darkroom and seeing what turned out and what didn't.

 

[Kev Pugh]

For me I would like to see a 70's chevvy sat out front, that would have sold me but still lovely work, the only thing we have open at night here in that sort of location is the dreaded Maccie D's..........

 

[Brian Moore]

Much appreciated, Darren. Thank you.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I have to say, it actually looks influenced by Brian's photography!
Like with Brian's shots, the lack of anything going on around it appeals to me!

 

[Paul Lange]

I find the image intriguing in a way, it has that sense of stillness that you get when out at night. From your title I was expecting surreal collages of mean with large boots stamping on things and a dead parrot.

 

[Pete Askew]

I love it Darren. That semi-desolate look. Is that a star / planet in the sky?

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, Pete. That's the moon, but it looks so small due to the ultra -wide lens.

 

[Darren Bradley]

Paul, I must have been channeling John Cleese!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Darren - you're a brave man hanging around liquor stores after dark with a camera!

I would (of course) suggest a 16:9 crop just above the sign to tighten up the comp and 'stretch it' wide.

You going to do a series then, or were you just popping out for a bottle of red, and happened to have the camera with you?

 

[Darren Bradley]

Ha! My office is right down the street from this store and I like the roofline and classic mid-century modern design. So I have been wanting to shoot it for a while but thought it would look better at night, and with a sort of Edward Hopper "Nighthawks" look. Since my wife is in Europe at the moment and my daughter was staying at my brother's house, I finally had the chance to pop over there last night and got a shot.

Oh, I liked your suggestion so I've edited the photo to that crop.