Closer to home - Southend Pier

[Kaye Leggett]

On a day out whilst visiting friends recently, we went to Southend on Sea to visit the longest pleasure pier in the UK, (and probably Europe) at over one mile long. It was a blustery, showery, stormy day and we watched the clouds roll in and out again.

Thanks to all the feedback on recent postings I have paid particular attention to black and white points in processing and then tried to bring out the mid-tones. Suggestions for improvements and other aspects to think about welcome

1 and 2 Along the pier







3 On my knees again



4 -5 Views from the end






6 The storm is coming




7 And then the sun comes out again

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kaye,

I really like this series, in particular #3 and #4.
I cannot decide whether the glint of coloured lens flare should stay or go (be cloned out, or made monochrome) - I am guessing you decided to leave it there and coloured, since it does, in a way, say something about the weather.

In #7, I find the uncorrected perspective distortion off putting.

I have probably not been there for almost 50 years! I can't say it brings back memories since much has changed since then.

Thanks for sharing, Dave

[John 2]

That's a nice series Kaye with 3, 4 and 7 as the stand outs - particularly 3 for the different viewpoint and the dynamics in 7. Bit of thought gone into those. Incidentally, from memory, whether you are closer to home or not depends entirely on which end of the pier you are at. It's a long one.

[mugge]

To me #3 is an absolute gem.
Cheers Ole

[Sam W]

Nice series, I like the powerful look to #6.

[Clactonian]

Excellent series #3 being my favourite despite the flare.
It's a pity though that you did't come and visit a 'real' pier some 40 minutes down the road!

[Mike Buckley]

Notice how the foreground interest in the third one makes the second image seem so much less interesting. Even so, for me the tonal variation in the clouds compete with the subject, so I would back off that if the image was mine. I would also clone to eliminate the intense green flare.

In the first one, render more of the tones a true black point and increase the mid-tone contrast to determine if you think doing so brings out the pattern in the railroad tracks more.

In the fourth one, the glare in the water makes for a distracting background. You would have been able to minimize or eliminate it using a polarizer. I wonder if you could have found an effective composition that includes only the interesting shadow.

In the sixth one, I don't know what the subject is. I'm guessing you intended the triangular area of sky to be the subject. If so, consider a panoramic aspect ratio.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures, are those tracks for a passenger trolley or for loading/off loading ships?

[Dave Humphries]

Nice captures, are those tracks for a passenger trolley or for loading/off loading ships?

Passengers John,

Here's Wikipedia on the pier, as structures go, it seems to have had more than its share of bad luck

Or for visitors; the website.

Cheers, Dave

[Shadowman]

Passengers John,

Here's Wikipedia on the pier, as structures go, it seems to have had more than its share of bad luck

Or for visitors; the website.

Cheers, Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the info, I can imagine the amount of bad luck with the pier jutting out so far. Would have thought weather would have been biggest concern or cause.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images....

[Kaye Leggett]

Hi Kaye,

I really like this series, in particular #3 and #4.
I cannot decide whether the glint of coloured lens flare should stay or go (be cloned out, or made monochrome) - I am guessing you decided to leave it there and coloured, since it does, in a way, say something about the weather.

In #7, I find the uncorrected perspective distortion off putting.

I have probably not been there for almost 50 years! I can't say it brings back memories since much has changed since then.

Thanks for sharing, Dave

Thanks Dave. I debated the lens flare and decided to leave it in but equally I could have decided to remove I suppose.
The pier is fascinating but I am told it is about the only reason to go to Southend (apologies to anyone who lives there and disagrees).
The 7th image was taken with a 10mm lens so distortion unavoidable, but I will play with it.

[Kaye Leggett]

Nice captures, are those tracks for a passenger trolley or for loading/off loading ships?

Thanks John. They are train tracks - a horrible diesel train wanders along - we walked in protest ! I did take some pictures of it, but it really didn't add anything to the scene.

[Kaye Leggett]

Notice how the foreground interest in the third one makes the second image seem so much less interesting. Even so, for me the tonal variation in the clouds compete with the subject, so I would back off that if the image was mine. I would also clone to eliminate the intense green flare.

In the first one, render more of the tones a true black point and increase the mid-tone contrast to determine if you think doing so brings out the pattern in the railroad tracks more.

In the fourth one, the glare in the water makes for a distracting background. You would have been able to minimize or eliminate it using a polarizer. I wonder if you could have found an effective composition that includes only the interesting shadow.

In the sixth one, I don't know what the subject is. I'm guessing you intended the triangular area of sky to be the subject. If so, consider a panoramic aspect ratio.

Thanks Mike - I will take a look at these in detail again. Your comments are very appreciated.

[Kaye Leggett]

Excellent series #3 being my favourite despite the flare.
It's a pity though that you did't come and visit a 'real' pier some 40 minutes down the road!

On the list Mike...... my husband now has a mission to visit all the piers in the UK . Brighton is next !!

Thanks for the encouraging comments

[Kaye Leggett]

Thanks too to John, Ole, Sam and Nandakumar for your encouragement

[Shadowman]

Thanks John. They are train tracks - a horrible diesel train wanders along - we walked in protest ! I did take some pictures of it, but it really didn't add anything to the scene.

Hi Kaye,

Thanks for response, I probably would have taken the slow road myself.

[MrB]

A good series, Kaye, and 3 and 4 are the stand-out ones for me. Having tried a severe crop of the first, it might also be interesting to see shots similar to 1 (or 2) but taken at longer focal lengths.

Cheers.
Philip

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series Kaye. #3 and #4 for me

[Ianhoward]

Kaye
I am biased as I grew up in this area, but setting that aside I do like this series. Nicely seen, thoughtfully angled and composed - I think I would have dealt with the green lens flare, but the knotty planks counter balance that.
Howard