Critique Welcomed One of my photos in Wallpaper* Magazine!

[Darren Bradley]

Been a few weeks again since I've been in to say hi to everyone. Sorry about that. Tons of work-related stuff going on with my day job (and I don't have access to this website at work). I've also a bit of actual photography.

Anyway, Wallpaper magazine contacted me out of the blue after seeing one of my holiday snaps of a building in Sydney, Australia, and asked to publish it. They bought the rights (yes, they paid for it!) and it's currently in the April issue. Here's a pic:



Here's another shot of the same building that I took at the same time. I actually preferred this one but they liked the other one. Go figure.

 

[Fidel Marcus]

hello Darren, well deserved exposure and certainly these photos are amazing.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

It would make some interesting wallpaper! Congrats.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nice one Darren!

I can see why they chose te one they did it has a sort of vintage feel that plays on the odd shapes underneath ... It has that sort of image of the future from the past feel to it that I've mentioned in your pictures a few times ... Guess it suits the editorial look ... If that's the right wy to describe it!

The other is probably a better shot technically though ... And I suspect that's why you like it more

I've borrowed a technical camera and a pce lens recently ... Have been to busy to go and and play as much as I would like ... But if I get the shots I have in mind I shall be after some of your thoughts!

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate the feedback.

I know what you mean, Hamish. When I'm shooting vintage modern stuff, I like to try to emulate the style of vintage photos, as we've discussed so I see your point. I look forward to seeing what you come up with on the technical camera. What kind is it? I recently played with both an ALPA Max and a Cambo Wide RS. Both great cameras but I would need a lot of practice before being comfortable using them and showing my work, I think.

 

[Davie Hudson]

definitely deserving to be included and looks very much like a mid 60's/early 70's scandinavian design idea ... if Jacob Jensen had done it, that's a massive compliment btw lol

 

[Hamish Gill]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate the feedback.

I know what you mean, Hamish. When I'm shooting vintage modern stuff, I like to try to emulate the style of vintage photos, as we've discussed so I see your point. I look forward to seeing what you come up with on the technical camera. What kind is it? I recently played with both an ALPA Max and a Cambo Wide RS. Both great cameras but I would need a lot of practice before being comfortable using them and showing my work, I think.

Nothing new and snazzy like that... its an mpp micro technical
Similar to Petes http://www.realphotographersforum.com/content/661-mpp-mark-vii-type-b-micro-technical-camera.html
but maybe a mkvi

To be honest, im finding the learning curve a little steep ... learning large format at the same time as the technical movements that in this case come with it is a lot to take on ... and im just to busy with work ...
Still ... ill get there ... and hopefully the pce, although broadly different will help me on the way in a format im more used to!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Nicely done Darren - that's one serious publication as well

 

[Darren Bradley]

@Davie: Thank you! This was designed by Harry Seidler, an Austrian emigre who came to Australia after the war.

@Hamish: I can relate! But I think those cameras with bellows are actually a lot more complicated and more difficult than something like an ALPA or a Cambo, with just the plate. Granted, the one you're talking about has more movement (the ones I used don't have tilt/swing functions), but finding proper focus on a monorail or any kind of bellows can be maddening. Good luck, in any case, any I can't wait to see the results.

@Chris: Thanks - I was proud of that one!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nor me! Still waiting to hear back about my broken LF film holder for my tank else I have 4 shots ready to go!!!

 

[Brian Moore]

Well done, Darren. Congratulations.

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, guys!

 

[Peter McCullough]

Beautiful shot, superb!

Which lens length was used to shoot that lovely image?

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thank you, Peter. That was the Canon 17mm TS-E.

 

[Paul Lange]

Darren, are those photos as is or do you still have to correct for things like barrel and moustache distortions? That's pretty impressive if not, I cant see any wobbles on any of the lines of the buildings.

 

[Darren Bradley]

Hi Paul - There's very little distortion of any kind on the Canon TS-E lenses - especially the more recent ones like the 24mm version 2 and the 17. In most cases, no corrections are necessary and that was true for this photo, as well.

 

[Paul Lange]

All I can say is that for a WA lens like a 17mm that's just really good. It's probably the case that all my WA lenses just have loads of distortion and I should buy better ones.

 

[Darren Bradley]

Well, I don't know about that. Just about any WA lens is going to have distortion unless it's made specifically for architecture, like the two I have or something like a Schneider on a technical camera.