Skyline night shot

Everyone that's looked at this wants to hold a discussion as to why I should have shot it horizontally. What do you guys think?

It's an old shot, but I would like to get some opinions. I'm starting to think that I'm crazy and that they're all right...

http://www.crescentmooncreative.com/chiskyline.jpg

...the long reflections dissolving away into the forground. It must make a great print.

Having been there when you took this shot. I may be a bit biased. But I like it vertical. Different view that what people are normally used to. Also like the negative space on the bottom.

Dennis

Vertical keeps it from being your standard hohum image of a skyline...this view gives you a perspective on the distance and gives you a bit of anticipation to how big it's actually going to be...

My advice---don't talk to people anymore-except for us :)

Really doesn't count for much, but you're gonna get it any way...

I like the Vert perspective as well, but I think I would cut off the the lower portion of the photo a little below the reflections.

Oh, I almost forgot this... Sebastian, YES you are crazy, but for reasons other than shooting this one the way you did. :^P

I initially thought that there was just too much foreground, but now think that if you had shot this vertically, it would be just another skyline. The colors were by choice, I assume, thought I think if this were a deep blue, or near-dark purple, you'd have a killer shot. Still, a unique and impressive image.

I think it works...
It is different, which is a good thing.
What I like most about it, is how the water fades to black, in the texture of the water.
It is a great composition.
You're not crazy(well maybe a little... :rolleyes: ) Those who said it should have been shot horiziontally are!

Thanks for posting on the "new forum", hope to see more from you.

Brian

Hi Seb,
This composition sparks two thoughts for me. The first is isolation. The subject is so far away, with a large void between the viewer and the skyline. And secondly, it reduces the scale of the buildings. Obivously I'm more of a landscape shooter, and this sort of says, "the lake was here first, and the lake will always dwarf any size city", even Chicago. So yeah, I like it.

However, the horizon does look tilted. The city seems to be leaning to the right, but that might just be a result of the distance to the shoreline. Anyway, your shots (especially those Chicago gathering ones) have really improved dramatically over the time period that I've been on this board, and I'm wondering, was that a result of you moving to a DSLR? Any thoughts on that? I'm just looking to convince myself to make the switch once I have the dough.

later,
bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by b_slow

Anyway, your shots (especially those Chicago gathering ones) have really improved dramatically over the time period that I've been on this board, and I'm wondering, was that a result of you moving to a DSLR? Any thoughts on that? I'm just looking to convince myself to make the switch once I have the dough.

later,
bob

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Bob,

First, thanks for the encouraging words. I too have noticed improvement in my work, and it is nice to see that others feel the same way.

Is it because of the DSLR? Absolutely. I used to worry about using film, saving that frame for the special shot, but in the process the special shots kept being passed by and the film sat unused. With digital, I have the freedom to experiment, and that's ultimately what teaches the best.

Thanks for the input on the image as well. Not sure why I framed it how I did, but the feeling of isolation is something that I feel myself when looking at the shot.

Everyone else,

Thanks for reaffirming that the image works and that I am, in fact, crazy. It's nice to know I can count on you guys. Now excuse me, the handlers only give me so much time out of my straitjacket.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by natatbeach

Vertical keeps it from being your standard hohum image of a skyline...this view gives you a perspective on the distance and gives you a bit of anticipation to how big it's actually going to be...

My advice---don't talk to people anymore-except for us :)

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Awesome advice Nat!!!

I've got to agree with the others. Everyone shoots this type of shot in the horizontal. Being different really makes this one stand out. Also, I like the relfections in the water (which keeps it from being dead space), and how they gradually fade out.

Ignore everyone else, only talk to us, and keep your own creative vision. We love you just the way you are!

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Originally Posted by Speed

Awesome advice Nat!!!

I've got to agree with the others. Everyone shoots this type of shot in the horizontal. Being different really makes this one stand out. Also, I like the relfections in the water (which keeps it from being dead space), and how they gradually fade out.

Ignore everyone else, only talk to us, and keep your own creative vision. We love you just the way you are!

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Thanks Speed. :)

It's nice to know someone cares... :D

One, those who say it should be shot horizontally are going with the "norm", but there are a lot of strengths in the photo.

People don't always want to be right in the city, this photograph shows Chicago from afar in all of it's splendor, but the calmness of the water and being out of the city is very pleasing. Why do people go on those 3 hour tours (oops that was a bad t.v. series) to cruise the bay or the harbor? They want to see the get away from the hussle and bussle. The strength of this picture is calmness of the water and the reflections of the light leading to the city.

It works...

Loren

Quote:

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Originally Posted by racingpinarello

One, those who say it should be shot horizontally are going with the "norm", but there are a lot of strengths in the photo.

People don't always want to be right in the city, this photograph shows Chicago from afar in all of it's splendor, but the calmness of the water and being out of the city is very pleasing. Why do people go on those 3 hour tours (oops that was a bad t.v. series) to cruise the bay or the harbor? They want to see the get away from the hussle and bussle. The strength of this picture is calmness of the water and the reflections of the light leading to the city.

It works...

Loren

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Thanks Lorenzo. :D

OK, I have to agree with most everyone on this - you're crazy.

Everyone is so used to seeing a horizontal skyline - a proven formula. It will give you a good stock shot if you need it sometime (didn't you post a pano shot a while back?). Vertical looks great here because of the reflections. Maybe a print would show the reflections better, and they probably go down closer to the bottom of the frame. Plus it also leaves space for text if it was going to be used as a stock image.

Hmm... that sky does look familiar for some reason.