Yesterday I posted a new crop of a previously posted image. I like it, and most people did also, but one reason I made the orignal composition is because, as a photographer or simply as a resident or visitor, you get very few Big Sky opportunities in New York City. This is more typical of NYC. This is a full fledged street, not an alley. I’ll provide more information about it in a post with another image later. Despite being only 2 blocks long and barely wide enough for one car, it provided several photo opportunities. Big city, small spaces.
I was exploring them for a while when I heard a substantial amount of water flowing down the drain pipe on a building behind me. I explored, and looked, and could not determine its source. It was a dry morning and had not rained for a few days, so it remains just another minor urban mystery which you would normally forget if you didn’t capture it in an image.
I must admit, this was an instance where none of the compositions or processing options I tried did justice to the end result I imagined at the time. This black and white treatment, made possible by Silver Efex Pro, came the closest. I think I started with the Architecture Preset, but I know I also played with the color filters – I think I ended using red or orange. Its surprising how much a color filter can affect a black and white image.
It’s an OK image from an overview, but I think it rewards close observation, such as the water streaming from the drain and pooling in the gutter, or the windows of the building on the left reflected in the window on the upper right of the image. Let me know if you find anything ese of interest.
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Jim Denham
16 Sep 2010A combination of street and HDR! I love the subject, even thought there may not be one standout focal point, the entire image represents a feel of the city itself. I love the black and white effect, too!
Jay Taylor (aka Sirfishalot)
17 Sep 2010I love the way you’ve processed this scene Mark. I can see this image printed in a poster / mural size. The composition also has a very nice rhythm established by the window elements. The lighting and textures add a lot of interest also. Very nice work my friend.
JayT
Timo
17 Sep 2010Very nice – black and white was a good choice, as it really conveys a certain atmosphere here.
I was in NYC years ago (still during my “analog times”, back in the 90s), and I remember that my cousin who lived in Long Island at that time recommended me to stay away from narrow streets/alleys, even in Manhattan…
I guess it probably also depends on the part of the city.
Anyway, I like the picture, escpecially for its feel and the great treatment.
mark
17 Sep 2010Thanks for the comments everyone – I appreciate it as it will be a few days before I can resume normal posting – see today’s post for details.