Bus Driver's Reality

[gahspidy]

Taken from the view of the bus operator going through Chinatown, N.Y.C.
I thought the Diptych of these two images was effective.
what do you think?
thanks

[AgingEyes]

I think it works pretty well. But I wonder if the photo on the left would make it works even better if those buildings - not the image in the rear mirror - do not look tilted.

[Overbeyond]

I find it interesting Gary in that you have applied a similar treatment to the colouring/saturation appearance of these photograps as you have done in your landscapes but even more so here.. There are remnants of original colours, especially green, red and blue, to be seen around. To be honest I am undecided if it all benefits these shots.
While the streets don't look that busy the shots do show a good slice of the drivers daily situations and, even more so, they convey to the imagination what it must be like say during rush hour and Christmas shopping periods when the humans become robots.
Whilst I love your landscape work I also welcome the return to your street scenes.

[Greg McCary]

When I first looked at this I thought it would be better if the two shots were taken as a puzzle you could put together, in real time. But the more I look at it the more I feel it works better this way. I think this works well as an abstract view of a day in the life of the driver. I think even a third view looking out the open doors of the bus might be interesting. I also agree with Tom about returning to street scene. There is no need critiquing the processing it is always great. Nice work Gary.

[Overbeyond]

When I first looked at this I thought it would be better if the two shots were taken as a puzzle you could put together, in real time. But the more I look at it the more I feel it works better this way. I think this works well as an abstract view of a day in the life of the driver. I think even a third view looking out the open doors of the bus might be interesting. I also agree with Tom about returning to street scene. There is no need critiquing the processing it is always great. Nice work Gary.

It's possible also Greg that Garys intention is for us to view these two pictures as one, but maybe not.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for your comments. I had originally been working on this as a triptych but decided that i liked the overall aesthetic look of it as a Diptych. After Greg mentioned about having the door as a view i decided to show my original idea. also, i used the suggestion from AE about straightening the buildings in the left image. Also, toms concerns about the usual pp treatment I decided to go all out with an aged look with no hints of color thrown in, which is what I had originally but could not resist bringing a bit of color back in . . . .
So, what are your thoughts of this Triptych?
Thanks

[Greg McCary]

I like it Gary. The processing as well. The little old lady in the center frame and the guy on the cell phone on the right really add a nice touch to the whole image. I like this one better. Nice work. The aged look in Lightroom is one of my favorite pre sets too.

[Overbeyond]

Gary I think the Triptych changes things totally especially in terms of balance and has an impact that was not there in the Diptych. The colouring is also different; being sepia now rather than the almost totally washed out look in the diptych. I also think that dropping the black bordering in favour of the lighter has married all three together well while giving us a totally convincing look "through the drivers eyes".

[Frog]

I like both, Greg. The door image does add a different flavor.
Now you just need to get the rearview mirror with the passengers...wink

How'd you get the driver to let you sit behind the wheel?

[AgingEyes]

I prefer the Diptych. Main reason being they have a similar perspective. The third one brings in something different.

I also think the black border works better - may even be better if it were thiner - because if I was really in the bus looking outside, whatever in front of me inside the bus will appears darker (just like that steering wheel).

This's from one viewer's point of view. Your original intent may very well be different.

[gahspidy]

Greg, Tom, Frog, AgingEyes, i appreciate your time to comment on this. I am not too crazy about either one, although i must admit the triptych is starting to grow on me a bit mainly because it brings the whole 180 deg. view and then the hint of the rear left side. Originally i felt the right image in the triptych , the door, was to heavy with it's black areas and pulling the eye away and creating an off balanced feel but i am settling in with that as well. I may try cropping that image in tighter to eliminate the black door trim and see if it lightens it up a bit and also bring the people outside closer.
Frog, this is my bus. Had the camera with me that day and shot a few while waiting for a light.
Greg, I like the aged preset in Lightroom as well, but usually achieve that effect in Photoshop where i like more control over the final image. This Triptich was done with the lightroom preset.
Tom, I agree the lighter border works better in the Triptych. Now, this is what I was afraid of . . . we have used the words triptych and diptych so often in this thread now that I fear we will not be posting any new photos anytime soon for lack of free time.
Sorry . . .really.

[Overbeyond]

Now, this is what I was afraid of . . . we have used the words triptych and diptych so often in this thread now that I fear we will not be posting any new photos anytime soon for lack of free time.
Sorry . . .really.

Indeed LOL Gary

[Jaedon]

As a bus driver I must say you have captured a moment out of my typical day quite well. Now all that's missing is some guy racing by in his car giving the driver the finger =)

Although I think I would've liked this better with more colour saturation as opposed to the de-saturation treatment you have given these shots. I find when you lean towards B&W with a shot like this it takes away from the modern feel of the subject rather than enhancing the image. Just my 2 cents though.

[PrevailingConditions]

The triptych works much better for me. Jaedon confirms it, but the triptych tells a better story for a bus driver. I don't have any strong feelings about the sepia or the other, but I like the black border better. I think it makes for a stronger overall presentation.

PC