Continuing our travels under the M Train, this crossing at Woodward Avenue provides the best view of the street level tracks that used to run through these back lots. The elevated subway was built directly over these old rails. Once again I used the lens correction feature in Photoshop to correct the wide angle distortion so the pillars stand straight instead of leaning out from the middle. As I do it more and get better at it, the distorted views start to bother me more. For a long time I did not even notice the effect unless I looked for it – now the uncorrected versions of these shots really bug me. There are select instances in which the distortion can be used intentionally to good effect, but failing to correct it is no longer the default option. It involves improvement, and more work, both. There is no way to fix this in the field except to use a different lens – either one that is not so wide or a tilt-shift – and the widest Nikkor tilt-shift, which I have, is only 24mm, which is substantially less wide than the 14-24 can get.
Tracks Over Tracks
This Post Has 10 Comments
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Chris Nitz
26 Apr 2011Now this is one grimy shot. All the trash combined with the graffiti really adds to this shot. The shadows are pretty awesome as well. Nice work!
Chris Nitz recently posted..New Home
Barbara Youngleson
26 Apr 2011Love the leading lines of the tracks and the sharp bend of the fence leading our eyes toward the buildings. Beautifully composed, Mark. The shadows effectively add to the light/dark contrast.
Barbara Youngleson recently posted..Grass
Brian Furbush
26 Apr 2011Nice shot Mark – I like the composition and the strong shadows from the direct light overhead.
Jim Denham
26 Apr 2011Love this shot Mark! Neat seeing the old tracks below the ‘newer’ elevated ones. Dig the shadows too!
Jim Denham recently posted..Spare Tire
Kristi Hines
26 Apr 2011Great shot – I like how the lines of the graffiti wall/fence and the tracks cross each other.
Kristi Hines recently posted..Fallen Tree
A.Barlow
26 Apr 2011Good work!
I’ll be honest when I read the name the first thing I thought was, “Yo look! We’ve added tracks to your tracks…” You get it, lol.
A.Barlow recently posted..Lion and the Boat
Chris Kenison
26 Apr 2011Nice shot, Mark.
Ryan Sexton
26 Apr 2011I really like the shadows and track line moving into the center of the photo. Mark have you tried the lens correction in Lighroom? Also I do you have an example of one that bothers you?
Ryan Sexton recently posted..Overlook at Jaco Costa Rica
Jim Nix
27 Apr 2011cool scene, well shot and processed and I love the shadows! Jim
Mark
28 Apr 2011BTW, I answered Ryan’s question about lens correction in Lightroom here: http://toomuchglass.net/index.php/2011/04/27/diagonal-alley/