Spring in Westminster

Hi all

It was a lovely spring day today so I went off to Westminster for a few hours to give the new K10D a workout. The first one is Big Ben taken from the statue of Winston Churchill which faces it. The second is Richard I (Lion Heart) which stands alongside Parliament.

As always, any comments are appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

i really like both of them. Perfect exposure and rich contrast. I also notice some nice texture in the statue of churchill. nice work!

I think #1 would work just as well without the clock. #2, Good control of shadows on a bright day. I like the composition against the building and I also like the angle you used.
Greg

I prefer the first one. I really like the composition and where you put the clock, though I would've liked to see more of what the statue is standing on. right now it's just a thin line. More of that would've weighed down or solidified this statue bettter IMO.

I personally find it difficult to capture statues and the such. I tried and tried but It never worked for me. I like your attempt here in the 2nd shot. But to me it's still lacking a focus perhaps? or maybe too busy? I'm not sure. Another problem I always have when shooting them is whether to include the pedestal or not.

In short statues make my head hurt and I try to avoid them. :)

Mike,

We must meet up soon. I haven't been out with the camera since January 2nd and not touched it since 25th Jan thanks to work.

As for the shots the winston statue seems to need more of the pedestal and more separation between the clock and the statue on the left side. I know what Leels means as I have the same problem with statues.

As for the King its excellent and while looking at it I wonder if tad more space is needed on the right, but then the line of the windows would be missed. Hard one to call without seeing them.

Roger

Thanks for your comments guys. As always, I do pay close attention to them.

Greg - I know what you mean by the clock - however, in this instance, the clock was part of the whole concept of the image (Winston towering over Parliament etc). Thanks about the King Richard one - oddly I was very limited to the angle as security barriers etc limit the number of spots you can take a picture from. Also, the statue stands right in the middle of a small carpark for Parliament staff, so you have to be very cunning about the angle in order not to include any cars!

Leels & readingr .. I agree about the plinth - I will certainly recrop it to include a little more. Unfortunately I can't do anything about separation between the clock and statue without reshooting (but I'm up there quite a lot so that isn't impossible).

Readingr .. it would be nice to meet up. I work from home which means that I can be pretty flexible about when I can get away, and to where. I will send a private msg to you of my email and mobile and take it from there.

Finally, I attach another image from the same shoot.

Cheers
Mike

Both shots are very good. I like the 1st one especially as you have framed this very creatively. Exposure is right and the overall quality of the image looks top notch. It looks as though Winston is looking down over WestMinster, especially Big Ben. If I could see anything that might have improved upon it , it would be to slightly pull back a bit and allow a little more space around the statue.
The photo of King richard is very good with Parliament as the backdrop. I would only like to see a bit more contrast bringing the statue out stronger. I think that will happen though in a print.
Good work

Mike, I like the flower one best. I might would level the clock but nice work.
Yours,
Ruffus

I imagine that Winston spent many a harried moment deep in thought over a clock during his finest hours, waiting for the next bomb, the next vote, the next operation: the first really does it for me. I also like the king, the contrast of old and new. Security permitting, maybe a lower angle of him, medium close up of the head and lance against the building?

MJS - believe me, I would love to prowl around the Richard statue to get better angles! Security is pretty strict though .. there is a pedestrian barrier which runs right round Parliament, and there is no way anyone without a pass is going to get through. We do live in less innocent times. Thank you for your kind words about Winston - I really do think the artist had in mind exactly what you said .. the statue very definitely "broods".

Mike

Three very good results Mike. Preference would be with Winston; very good idea. I think the King would have been better with the backdrop a little out of focus.
I am very impressed by the quality of your new 10D (obviously in good hands here). I like seeing these as the 10D will be my next camera.
Tom

Didache,

Congratulations on the Feature Photo. Certainly deserving. The shot of Winston is terrific. The framing, the pose, exposier is perfect, great detail in the coat and maintaining the background as well. I really like this shot. I like the shot of King Richard better, the magnificence of the statute itself but I really like the background. It is perfect. Great eye, great capture.

Congratulations again.

CF

CF - thank you very much for your kind words. The weird thing is that I only went out that day to give my new camera a good testing. On those other occasions when I go out to get a "winner" I get zilch. Such is life!

Cheers
Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Didache

CF - thank you very much for your kind words. The weird thing is that I only went out that day to give my new camera a good testing. On those other occasions when I go out to get a "winner" I get zilch. Such is life!

Cheers
Mike

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I find that alot Mike. Sometimes it seems if go out and try to hard I just out think myself, and if I just go out to have fun I come back with many more keepers. I played Golf for almost 40 years and that holds true for Golf as well.
Greg

Congratulations on featured photo Mike.
Nine out of ten times when I see a good photograph I don't have the camera with me.
Tom

I'm not sure I'm worthy of critique, however, I did want to tell you how amazing it was that got the detail you got in Churchill's back. Where the glare is from the sun, there is no washout. Very nice.
Charlie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frmntx

I'm not sure I'm worthy of critique, however, I did want to tell you how amazing it was that got the detail you got in Churchill's back. Where the glare is from the sun, there is no washout. Very nice.
Charlie

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Charlie, Welcome to the forum. You know what you like and what you don't like. All we want to know is why you think it works or doesn't for you. You did just that. . your worthy! :) When you think about what it is you like or dislike about others work, it helps you to think about your own work as well. Critiquing other photographs helps us to become better photographers in return. We all benefit.

frmntx - thanks for taking the time to comment and for your kind words. We all started on this forum with fear and trepidation, but you won't find a more supportive and encouraging forum anywhere. Welcome!

Cheers
Mike

I've been resisting the urge to say this since I saw it, but the first thing that came to mind with the view of Winnie is "The Penguin" from the Batman movie. I'm sorry, I could not resist!

You have gotten plenty of good feedback on both of these fine photos and I'll certainly add my kudos and congratulations.

The sword in the Kings hand needs a bit more relief from the background.

The placement you have constructed with Churchill and his walking stick make for a powerful statement. Rule Brittannia!! Time waits for no man, not even Churchill.

Fine work in both photographs.