Critique Welcomed University Library

[Darren Bradley]

The library at the university next to my house is an absolutely stunning example of brutalist modern architecture. It was designed by William Pereira in the late 60s and finally completed in 1970. As I live nearby and pass by it frequently, it's a favorite target of my lens... Here are a few recent examples:

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Saw these on Flickr - just masterful stuff

The sky glow on the first, with the upturned hands of the main building

The amazing sunset on the second - and the control of reflections in the window glass!

The epic sense of scale of the third, with the concrete dominating the students - very sic-fi

 

[Dan Cattermole]

EPIC!!!!
There is nothing more I can say on that Darren!

 

[Pete Askew]

Wonderful stuff again Darren. I love the way you have used the symmetry in the first shot and, as Chris says they way you have balanced the sunset with the interior lighting. And the sense of scale and use of monochrome really emphasises the brutal nature and scale of the design.

 

[Glenn Clabo]

All of these are wonderful...but the second shot kills me. It has everything...color...balance...perspective...and interest. Well done!!

 

[Darren Bradley]

Glad you all like them. I love this building but it's a right challenge to photograph in a way that conveys its size and what's interesting about it. I have taken many, many photos that have failed miserably so it's nice to have a few that were at least somewhat successful!

 

[Paul Lange]

Wow, in it's own right that is a stunning building. Wouldn't say it was pretty though, looks like either a Space Invader that landed or a villain's liar from a James Bond movie.

 

[Brian Moore]

Three stunners, Darren!

OK,...so for number two did you manage to talk your way out onto a ledge?

Number three really puts the scale into it. Marvelous stuff.

 

[Pete Askew]

No, he was just browsing the mountaineering section!

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, guys. Paul, I personally find the building beautiful but it's definitely in the eye of the beholder. It's funny how in movies, the villains always have the modern architecture and the good guys have the old timey stuff.

To get shot #2, I had to create an elaborate system to keep the light from reflecting off the glass and creating too many reflections. Wasn't completely successful, but I didn't exactly come prepared. I used books, my jacket, and stacked several chairs... whatever I could find!

 

[Hamish Gill]

A really nice set of different images ...
Hard to pick a favorite really, the second almost gives you a bit of vertigo ... And does look like it was shot from outside. Is the crop a giveaway of the lack of complete success?

 

[Pete Askew]

To get shot #2, I had to create an elaborate system to keep the light from reflecting off the glass and creating too many reflections. Wasn't completely successful, but I didn't exactly come prepared. I used books, my jacket, and stacked several chairs... whatever I could find!

Darren, have you ever come across these. Although designed for video they work fin for stills also.

LENSKIRT - Lenskirt

 

[Darren Bradley]

Thanks, Pete. Haven't seen those before, but I was thinking of making something like this so this is perfect. Appreciate the tip!

And Hamish, that shot is actually three frames stitched together, and then I cropped it just based on what I wanted after. It's not due to a failure with the reflections... you can still see those reflections in the shot if you look hard enough!