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  1. #1
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Part of a series. converted to b&w. some levels adj. Your thoughts . . .
    Thanks
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North-underpass1204-361506x1bwweb.jpg  
    Last edited by mtbbrian; 01-02-2005 at 04:33 PM. Reason: UnSticking as "Featured Photo" For 27 December 2004. Last one for 2004
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  2. #2
    Mandinator! Mando327's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    I like this photograph. Some would argue of cropping the bottom part a bit, but it comes with personal taste. The lines from the sidewalk (the sides) gives it direction, so in my opinion, I wouldn't crop it The photograph overall gives me a...nostalgic feel maybe? But then again B&W does tend to do this once in a while. Is it what you're trying to convey? The person also adds a sense of mystery to the photo, giving it more interest. A mysterious nostalgia.
    In a different interpretation, this picture could symbolize hope. Interesting photo.

    Great Job!

    Mando
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  3. #3
    Senior Member readingr's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Gary,

    I do like this picture a lot but I have one problem with it and that is the big square sign that leads my eye every time I look at the picture. This takes away from the mystery of the character walking in the tunnel which I think should be the key item in the photo as all the lines lead to him.

    Perhaps a bit of PS to remove the offending square and it will be excellent photo. I Must do some more black and white used to do a lot in film.
    "I hope we will never see the day when photo shops sell little schema grills to clamp onto our viewfinders; and the Golden Rule will never be found etched on our ground glass." from The mind's eye by Henri Cartier-Bresson

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  4. #4
    Seb
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Quote Originally Posted by gahspidy
    Part of a series. converted to b&w. some levels adj. Your thoughts . . .
    Thanks
    Hello Gary,

    I fully agree with Mando's opinion. This is a very good and rather mysterious photograph.
    I assume that it was shot with a wide angle. Somehow, I wouldn't expect the use of such a lense in this situation but it still works well for me. The wall lines in the foreground are almost curved though.

    Seb

  5. #5
    Where is Snowy? Yoyo Szeto's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Hi Gary,
    The composition and the perspective of the pic have an impact during viewing. It seems to me the guy was walking into the light. I wonder if he was walking into the tunnel would fit in the mood better.
    yoyo

  6. #6
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    That sign doesn't bother me a bit. If I were going to bothered by something, it would be the square light in the tunnel or the debris on the ground in the foreground. But those don't bother me either.

    I like it!

  7. #7
    ...has no clue greg hxc's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    very cool. i like the crop, and think the garbage in the forground is the perfect amount of detail. if this is part of a series i'll be looking fwd to the rest.

  8. #8
    Moderator of Critiques/Hearder of Cats mtbbrian's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Another good one Gary.
    Looks like the series is coming along nicely!
    Not much more to add that hasn't already been said.
    Although I think I would burn in the playground a bit more, if haven't already.
    Thanks again for sharing it with us!
    Can I get a signed copy of the book when it comes out?
    ;)
    Brian
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  9. #9
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Quote Originally Posted by Seb
    The wall lines in the foreground are almost curved though.

    Seb
    Perhaps you could tell us what gear you are using. Sounds like distortion to me.

  10. #10
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: Park Ave.. . Under the Metro North

    Thanks all for commenting. Very happy with the feedback on this one.

    Mando . . .interesting interpretation. . .of hope. Yes I was going for a mysterious feel which is one of a fewreasons why I used the wide angle here. . to lengthen the tunnel, include the debris in the foreground, and to put the figure far off . My interpretation or feel i have for the image is somehwhat different as i will get into .

    Roger . . . I think I feel the same about the outside area, especially the sign, being to prominent. I actually burned all that in thinking a better feel for what is outside would enhance but I'm feeling that I would rather have the outside area very obscure with the focus on the figure walking out into whatever ones imagination would have them create.

    Seb . . thanks for the comments. . .yeah there is definetely some barrel distortion going on here. . .but I rather don't mind it in most shots. Can be fixed with some ps tools , but I tend to leave it alone unless I'm dealing with a straight vertical line such as a building that I need to have straight with the frame.

    Yoyo . . .great points. The comp and perspective was to be impactful and lend to the overall mood of the scene. As for the figure walking away. . .this is what makes the shot for me, although it's a personal taste thing. With the figure walking away, I enjoy a feeling of peace and comfort in that once the figure is off into the world again, I will be at peace and enjoy the comfort and security of the underpass of which I find serenity and sanity. ( maybe some therapy is needed here) If the figure were to be walking toward me, there would be the anticipation of a further scene or story developing. This series I'm on is about the comfort of being within a structure or shelter and feeling the isolation and sort of reprieve from the world outside which it brings. The focal point is always on the immediate foreground to give the viewer a sense of standing and being in that very spot.

    Matt . . . Thanks for the comments, glad to know how you feel about it.

    Greg . . thanks for the positive feedback. Yeah, I really prefer having elements in the foreground of most images to give a sense of here and there. . . depth.

    Brian . . thanks for your positve feedback and support. Much appreciated. Actually, I've been offered time to exhibit this series as well as some other works that I had presented to a Gallery on Lexington ave called PhilosophyBox. I'll keep you informed of the details once things are worked out.

    92135011 . . . .I'm using a Tamron 19-35 mm wide angle which is a great lens for the money but will be the next upgrade I go for. Yeah, distortion and at full wide anglke can be very soft focus around the edges. Which is why I usually only open it up as far as about 22mm.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  11. #11
    Moderator of Critiques/Hearder of Cats mtbbrian's Avatar
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    You Go Gary!

    Quote Originally Posted by gahspidy
    Brian . . thanks for your positve feedback and support. Much appreciated. Actually, I've been offered time to exhibit this series as well as some other works that I had presented to a Gallery on Lexington ave called PhilosophyBox. I'll keep you informed of the details once things are worked out.
    Work It Man!
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  12. #12
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: You Go Gary!

    Honored to have it a Featured Photo. Happy New Years and best wishes to all.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


  13. #13
    Where is Snowy? Yoyo Szeto's Avatar
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    Re: You Go Gary!

    Congratulations, Gary!
    yoyo

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