London Tube

[Didache]

Hi all .. some time ago a poster put up some really excellent images he had taken in the London Underground. Inspired by him I got myself a month's photographic permit - I had my first session today. His style was much more architectural than my own - so I am posting two of my own efforts.

As the permit lasts until Aug 18th I will probably manage to get half a dozen sessions - this one was really preliminary in order to guage the light etc. Flash and tripods are not allowed - all these were shot at 1/30 sec and 800 ISO.

As always, any comments are very welcome.

(I confess to rather liking the first one especially, even if it is rather odd)

Cheers
Mike

[swmdrayfan]

I think the first one is great, Mike. Very clean lines, and the reflection in the security mirror adds to it. I like the sense of orderliness.
In #2, the guy looks like he's in a rush. Very symbolic for the subway.
John

[starriderrick]

Both these are great.The first is my favorite also.

The parabobolic mirror really makes this shot. I feel the composition is very well done.
The second image has a great sense of being in a tunnel.Interesting lighting.
I like how you chose to include the human element rushing to catch the train. The sign above adds interest, confirms there is alot more to see.I also think #2 works well with all the angles present.

Now... I want to have a look "underground"
Excellent location for more...
Nice work, Mike.

[Greg McCary]

The exposure looks good. I think doing something more creative with the mirror would be a good idea. Get closer to it and shoot the reflection and line of yellow poles both. If you can? I like the second one too. You are off to a good start.
Greg

[GB1]

Mike - I do like the first shot, though it could be anywhere. The second shot, I feel the fellow walking is the subject, but he is too dark to really see what's going on. Perhaps if he were leaning against the wall, like a spy in the shadows (in London... that fits the stereotype) it would be more effective.

GB

[Didache]

Thanks guys for your comments and encouragement. With the second one, I took probably half a dozen with different people rushing through the scene - the thing I liked about this one was the coloured umbrella (all the others were a little monochrome).

I have cropped the first one somewhat to emphasise the mirror which is, I think, the strongest part of the image.

Cheers
Mike

[starriderrick]

Even better...

[Xia_Ke]

Love the cropped version of the first shot. I agree with Greg, you need to play with that mirror some more. Seems like lots of possibilities there. I'm not quite sure about the second one. The person rushing just seems out of place to me for some reason. The scene itself seems so quiet to me and like he has no real need to rush. I think this would work a lot better if you could capture it at a busier time with a lot more people running around Looking forward to seeing more shots from there

Aaron

[gahspidy]

both are very good compositions, Mike. The second one has the man in the perfect position to set him off from the surroundings. Yes, the colored umbrella is a bonus, and sets off the colors in the sign over his head.
the first shot is good, but there needs to be something more.
good exposure in both.

[Overbeyond]

The technical stuff is all very good considering the lack of flash/tripod etc. It's all looks just as I see it when I'm there. The composition of the first one is great with nothing superfluous included. The strip light at the top is perfect.

[Didache]

Without wanting to make this run and run, some good photographers I know (and who I trust) preferred it without the strip light, on the basis that it draws the eye. Just to complete the sequence, here is the even more tightly cropped version.

Cheers
Mike

[Overbeyond]

Mike; what is your own judgment on strip light. Why remove it if you like it?
Your latest crop now has reduced interest imho especially losing that box above the mirror.

[Didache]

Overbeyond .. I agree with you, and the strip light version is the one I shall "keep". I have, however, reduced the brightness just a little to provide balance.

Cheers
Mike

[gahspidy]

Mike, I like your second crop of the shot emphasizing the mirror. It seems to make the overall composition cleaner, simple, and stronger altogether. I agree with Tom in keeping the strip light. I had had pondered the possibility of losing it when i first looked at the shots in an attempt to figure out what could be done to improve. i had immediately decided against that because it seemed to me the light not only was not a problem or distraction but it rather added something more. Also, the brightness of the light is not a factor and I do not feel you even need to reduce it's intensity.