The Slaughterhouse

[Pete Askew]

Taken through the very dirty window of a Czech train running between Hamburg and Budapest just outside of Dresden while stopped for a few minutes on the way between Berlin and Prague last Monday. I didn't bother with the Leica because of the filthy windows but decided to grab a shot withe the Ricoh GR Digital. What I didn't notice when I took the first shot was that it was on Macro mode and so it focused on the dirt and not on the scene beyond. I realised and then took the shot I'd intended but when I reviewed them I actually preferred the other. And I liked the dirt and so I took a few more during the journey exploiting both the dirt and the blur caused by the motion of the train.

Ricoh GR Digital III. PP in LR4, PS and Nik.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes, that really works. Good, interesting shot.

 

[Brian Moore]

Brings your imagination more actively into the interpretation process doesn't it? Nice Pete.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks guys. You are right Brian. I actually have no idea what these abandoned buildings were used for but the lack of clear focus and dirt etc and the muted colours just gave it a slightly ominous feel I thought (that and the big guy in overalls running towards the train wielding a chainsaw!).

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Imagination is running WILD!!!!
this is a great shot Pete, and it comes to show that the main subject doesn't have to be in focus in order for it to make it a successful piece of excellence!

 

[Emma Pugh]

I actually REALLY like this! I think it works well.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Emma. As soon as I previewed it I realised how much more successful it was than the 'in-focus' version and how effective the dirt was at adding to the image. It led me to spend quite a bit of the journey shooting more images from the moving train.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Interesting shot Pete!
So have you more to show us then?

 

[Pete Askew]

Look and you will find, Hamish!