Snowing in Southern California

[Brian Moore]

Looking though some old images this morning. I don't think I ever posted this one. It's from one of the Nutcracker performances a couple of years ago. The Snow Scene has just ended, and the curtain has come down.

Canon T50 and Kodak Tri-X 400 pushed to 1600 and processed in Rodinal.


Its Been Snowing by brian-moore, on Flickr

 

[Pete Askew]

No you haven't. I'd definitely remember a fine shot like this. Love the grain, movement and the lack of detail in the face. The exit lights are a bit distracting and I'd probably try a version without them. If I were printing this I'd burn them in and so I'd have no compunction about cloning them out either.

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks very much, Pete. Your take on the lights is interesting to me. They didn't bother me in the least. This is worrisome. Once again I have reason to question my judgement. [doh]

Anyway, though, really appreciate the feedback.

 

[Pete Askew]

Actually I'm not sure which version I prefer. They didn't bother me especially but I would certainly have tried a version without. You'd need to see them side by side I suspect.

 

[Brian Moore]

To me the frame seems empty without the lights.

However, I wonder how it would seem if I moved them a little higher up and midway between the dancer and the right edge. (I know how to do that in PS now,...I'm taking a class.)

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Lovely shot. I like the lights, and think something is lacking when they are removed. As for placing them elsewhere, you might drive yourself crazy redoing that over and over. Good luck!

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks Rob. You're probably right about the placement of the lights.

 

[Pete Askew]

I prefer it with, too.

Isn't it odd. I would have no qualms about removing then but would feel like I cheated by moving them!

 

[Brian Moore]

I prefer it with, too.

Isn't it odd. I would have no qualms about removing then but would feel like I cheated by moving them!

but would feel like I cheated by moving them!

Pete,...that is exactly how I feel.

 

[Vic Shaw]

Another great shot and an interesting discussion on the lights. I like it with them in and I think they are fine in the position they are. I wouldn't have a problem cloning them out either and I used to do this a lot, but now I tend not to bother so much and leave things as they are. As for moving them I would feel the same way, like it's cheating. A bit like dropping sky's in. I have no problem removing stuff, it's putting it in I never do. I did however move a seagull over once for composition reasons

 

[Brian Moore]

Much appreciated, Vic. Seems like we're all in agreement about moving stuff, if not necessarily about removing. Anyway, thansk again, Vic. Much appreciated.

 

[Pete Askew]

Another great shot and an interesting discussion on the lights. I like it with them in and I think they are fine in the position they are. I wouldn't have a problem cloning them out either and I used to do this a lot, but now I tend not to bother so much and leave things as they are. As for moving them I would feel the same way, like it's cheating. A bit like dropping sky's in. I have no problem removing stuff, it's putting it in I never do. I did however move a seagull over once for composition reasons

Perfectly legitimate Vic. It was probably a Dodkin Surveillance Gull (DSG) anyway and he probably flew it there just to mess up your composition - you know how competitive he is about the annual competition!

 

[Nihat Iyriboz]

Hey Brian, I love your shots developed with Rodinal. This is a good one. IMHO, I'd keep the lights to leave the viewer with more questions??? Parallel universe!!! The lights create some suspense in similar horizon with her dark eyes.

 

[Brian Moore]

Hey Brian, I love your shots developed with Rodinal. This is a good one. IMHO, I'd keep the lights to leave the viewer with more questions??? Parallel universe!!! The lights create some suspense in similar horizon with her dark eyes.

Thank you very much, Nihat. Much appreciated.

Also, thank you for your opinion about the lights. I agree.

 

[Paul Lange]

Great photo Brian and I too like them with the lights in. Maybe you could install a little black fold-down door connected to some cotton on the final print. That way you'll have both versions.

 

[Brian Moore]

Great photo Brian and I too like them with the lights in. Maybe you could install a little black fold-down door connected to some cotton on the final print. That way you'll have both versions.

Thanks very much, Paul. As to the fold down door to obscure the lights, Pete started it so I'll wait and see what he wants.

Thanks again, Paul.

 

[Pete Askew]

Or have some special glasses made with two small dots on them such that when you view the print from a specified distance they obscure said lights. It has to be worth it (and with careful composition you could probably take more photographs with highlights so positioned that you could get more use from the glasses!).

 

[Brian Moore]

Or have some special glasses made with two small dots on them such that when you view the print from a specified distance they obscure said lights. It has to be worth it (and with careful composition you could probably take more photographs with highlights so positioned that you could get more use from the glasses!).

That's a very good idea, Pete. My current pair of glasses will probably suffice. Shortly after getting them I permanently adhered a spot of cyanoacrylite glue to the right-side lens while gluing some punky fibers on an ash-wood bowl I was turning on my lathe. If I tilt my head a degree or two to the starboard side whilst gazing at the picture the glue spot lines up perfectly with the lights.

Thanks Pete.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Whoa! This is well good!!
The lighting is spot on!

 

[Brian Moore]

Whoa! This is well good!!
The lighting is spot on!

Thank you, Dan. Much obliged. (Excellent choice of words given the lighting discussion
on this thread.) Thanks again, Dan.