Buildings

[Andrew76]

Hello. This image holds no sentimental value to me, other than it was taken on an incredible weekend away with my wife a while ago. Nor do I consider it to be overly artistic in merit.

However, there has been a lot of talk recently on B+W conversions, so I thought I'd revisit an old image that had enough texture, and interesting lines to make a good monochrome.

So again, I have no emotional attachment to the image, please be brutal with your critique - Here's what I think:

-I like the textures.
-I like the various shapes, and strong lines of the old/new architecture.
-I like the tonal range - in fact, I think it's got a HUGE tonal range, with a lot of separation between the elements of the photo, giving it a real three dimensional feel.
-I like that it is clear, and in focus.
-All in all, I think that it makes a pretty good conversion, aside from maybe being a little bland, compositionally.

But more importantly, what do you think?

[Downrigger]

I think you do a good job of explaining why this is interesting to look at. I think the framing (as though cropped off at bottom and top) is at first off-putting, but then, too, I now feel it is part of what makes this interesting.
I think a little straightening would remove a distractor ( the non parallelism at the sides).
So I think you picked a good one for your exercise and did well by it.

[Andrew76]

Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to look! I agree about the straightening, it's a little bit of distortion from the wide angle - you can see the vertical edges on the left of the frame are straight, but it is definitely worth fixing. Good eye!

I'm glad you like my descriptive, I kind of wanted it to follow along with some of the other threads that have been posted recently about conversions, so my thinking was to include some of the things that in my opinion, make a good black and white.

Of course, this is only my opinion. I'm no Ansel.

[Mike Buckley]

I like the layers of various architectural styles.

The empty sky in the top right corner seems too large without adding anything to the composition. The tall vertical building on the right doesn't make a good fit with the horizontal layers for me. So, to deal with both issues, consider cropping on the right side between the ladder and the satellite dish located in the bottom right corner.

I would also like to see a tad more contrast to give it more punch. However, do that only if you believe punch makes it better.

[Andrew76]

Hi Mike, I see what you're saying. I think I agree with both. I thought I had it contrasty enough, but on second look, you're probably right, and it could stand to be a bit edgier.

Thanks!

[Andrew76]

More better?

[Karm Redland]

Andrew, I like what you are attempting. Empty sky and building in the far left corner I think distract from your image.

Karm

[kaisies]

Is this downtown Milwaukee?

[Mike Buckley]

Much better. Next time you're there, shoot it from a different angle without the empty sky and I think you'll like it even more.

[pasusan]

Hi Andrew - what interesting buildings - I especially like the 3 buildings in front of one another with the different architectural styles. I agree that B&W works very well and your last photo did add more punch. Thanks for posting.

[Shadowman]

As a single image, its lines, textures, patterns, and reflections. Surround it with more images of the same area or a compilation of other cities and it becomes even more interesting.

[Andrew76]

Andrew, I like what you are attempting. Empty sky and building in the far left corner I think distract from your image.

Karm

Thanks Karm - I agree. Unfortunately, I won't be going back any time soon, so re-shooting from a different angle as Mike suggested is just out of the question for now. But, that doesn't mean that I can't try somewhere else!

[Andrew76]

Is this downtown Milwaukee?

Hi Kaisies - nope, it's downtown Montreal!

[Andrew76]

Hi Andrew - what interesting buildings - I especially like the 3 buildings in front of one another with the different architectural styles. I agree that B&W works very well and your last photo did add more punch. Thanks for posting.

Hi Susan, thanks for taking the time to look, and comment. I really do appreciate it!

[Andrew76]

As a single image, its lines, textures, patterns, and reflections. Surround it with more images of the same area or a compilation of other cities and it becomes even more interesting.

Hey John, thanks for looking. I've actually thought about doing something like that. When I started to take photography a little more seriously a few years back, it was architecture that really sparked my interest. Since then, I've kind of lost that direction, but revisiting this image has sparked that interest again.

Something to consider, for sure. Thanks again!

[Shadowman]

Hey John, thanks for looking. I've actually thought about doing something like that. When I started to take photography a little more seriously a few years back, it was architecture that really sparked my interest. Since then, I've kind of lost that direction, but revisiting this image has sparked that interest again.

Something to consider, for sure. Thanks again!

I like shooting architecture during the day when the sunlight is bouncing off the glass, concrete, and steel. Looks more 3-dimensional when enveloped in light and shadow.