Shots from around London Bridge and The Strand

[Paul Lange]

Yesterday I had a chance to wonder around the City with my P7000. Putting aside it's dreadful firmware issues I quite like this camera.

This is a building opposite the Hays Galleria. I like the mental reflections going on but really think its a bit too busy and hard work to look at for it to be a satisfying image. Thought I would put it on though just for it's oddity.

Another shot but this time the building is on the same side as the Hays Galleria and in the entranceway to the bit they call "More"

I was struck by the shear number of people with expensive DSLRs let alone point a shoot cameras. I imagine that this through fare has been photographed to death but it didn't stop me having a go of trying to do something interesting with the composition. The general idea of reflections is nothing new but it does add an extra dynamic to the image and I composed it to visually jar a little.

I have no idea if the Buddha Bar is famous, notorious or what. It's doorway is tucked away under a bridge.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nice shots ...
i like the compo of the third especially ...
although they do have that small sensor compact camera look about them ...

 

[Paul Lange]

Cheers Hamish,

I know what you mean about the compact camera-esque look. The quality of the images shooting in raw is very good but you can get away from the fact that its a relatively small zoom lens much the same as that found on point and shoots. Saying that though the quality of the glass and the design is very good, CA is pretty decent.

 

[Paul Lange]

Thinking about what you said Hamish, is the compact camera look due to the composition or did you mean the colour? I experimented with some mild Cross Process on these hence the odd colour cast. Not quite nailed it yet and plan to do some more experimenting with CP.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Maybe it's that ...to me, the dynamic range seems a little limited and the detail doesnt look as though it's all there!
I dunno I'm so biased against the things I might be talking my self into it...

Anyone else see what I'm talking about or am I being an idiot?

 

[Pete Askew]

Yes, Hamish. I guess the dynamic range in the original scene was high and because of this, the way it was shot and the PP it looks limited in shots 2 and 3. Was that what you were aiming for Paul? One and 3 are certainly my favourites although, as you say Paul, No 1 is a bit busy. Maybe pushing the contrast up further and making it a bit more graphic might help. What do you think?

 

[Paul Lange]

Hi Hamish, You're not an idiot, or at least you don't seem to be one! It was one of those really sunny but hazy days and even buildings not that far away looked overly bright and had muted contrast and that was just looking at them let alone what the camera sensor saw. This had quite an effect on the images and coupled with the fact that I heavily corrected the vertical distortions PP and the CP used probably has given the images the effect you noticed. I decided to go with it on the PP rather than try to compensate.

Pete, I will give that a shot, I think less could be more and upping the contrast might get rid of some of the distracting elements. I would like to do something to make it work if I can.

 

[Paul Lange]

Had another go at the PP on the 1st shot, still a bit busy but I prefer it to the 1st atempt.

 

[Pete Askew]

Yes, that's certainly more graphic and I like the texture / tone although I miss the near symetry of the first crop.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I want to know what's behind the red doors - looks interesting...

 

[Pete Askew]

I think it might be one of those places that 'young people' go. You wouldn't enjoy it!

 

[Paul Lange]

Yeah, I played around with the symetry and kind of like it in the 1st one but its just so busy it can be hard to look at, the eye doesn't flow over the image like it does in the later one.

The Red Door! Behind there Chris is the land of your desire!! Or, it is the Buddha Bar so probably just inner peace and contemplation.

 

[Pete Askew]

Are you suggesting that our Chris doesn't desire simple inner peace and a life of contemplation!!