Critique Welcomed Shortly before two, then a little later

[Peter Roberts]

Two contre jours shot back to back. Taken in March but I've only just got round to looking at them.







Minolta XD7 / Rokkors 28mm f3.5 & 45mm f2 / Tri-X / Rodinal 1:50

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Wow! Like them both, but the second one is so inspired and inspiring. Thanks.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Kinda like: 25 or 6 to 4

 

[Peter Roberts]

Wow! Like them both, but the second one is so inspired and inspiring. Thanks.

So glad you liked them, Gianluca. Especially the second one which I had some doubts about.

 

[Peter Roberts]

Kinda like: 25 or 6 to 4

Haha. That never occurred to me. Probably because I'm a strict five minute rule adherent and certainly wouldn't hang around all night waiting for the break of day just for the usually elusive decisive moment.

 

[Shlomi Ofir]

Really cool stuf, love the contrast

 

[Peter Roberts]

Really cool stuf, love the contrast

Thanks for that, Shlomi, it's appreciated.

 

[Tony Britton]

Excellent subjects and compositions. Very well done!

 

[Peter Roberts]

Excellent subjects and compositions. Very well done!

Thanks very much, Tony.

 

[Gary Ayala]

I find them both thoughtful and enjoyable. But the second image is overflowing with stimulations. The black blobs of pedestrians contrasting against the gray street and shiny vaults. Who are they ... where are they going ... why are they all out now ... why are there more people in the street than the sidewalk ... why are there so many vaults ... et al.

 

[Peter Roberts]

I find them both thoughtful and enjoyable. But the second image is overflowing with stimulations. The black blobs of pedestrians contrasting against the gray street and shiny vaults. Who are they ... where are they going ... why are they all out now ... why are there more people in the street than the sidewalk ... why are there so many vaults ... et al.

Thanks, Gary.
I could explain the context and answer those questions. I will if you like........

 

[Gary Ayala]

Thanks, Gary.
I could explain the context and answer those questions. I will if you like........

Sure ... let's start with name of the city/area and your location, (how are you shooting downward in the middle of a flat street?).

 

[Peter Roberts]

Sure ... let's start with name of the city/area and your location, (how are you shooting downward in the middle of a flat street?).

OK, here goes. So this is in Greenwich. The original one, now in London but once in the county of Kent.
It is the birthplace of point zero of the meridian, and the standard measure of time computed by stellar observation by the observatory here. Both were vital to the Royal Navy in the days of sail for purposes of accurate navigation. Think sextants and the position of the North Star etc.
The giant sundial in the park is a nod to a more traditional means of measuring time.
There is, or rather was, a strong maritime and naval presence here. A few hundred yards from that sundial is the old Royal Naval College which was once the Royal Naval Hospital designed by Christopher Wren, the guy who rebuilt London after the Great Fire of 1666. It grew a bit over the years to become quite a rabbit warren of a place. It is now the main campus of the University of Greenwich. This is where I took the second shot.
Standing on some steps above an archway I was struck by how the low March light was reflecting off the road so that even to the naked eye the students at what was obviously lecture ending time were silhouetted against the glare. Waiting a few minutes for a suitable juxtaposition of figures I fired the shutter. I would have preferred more then one bicycle but I always apply the five minute rule.