2018 Print 52 Shadowman P2

[Shadowman]

I like the odd angles and the appropriate name for the photo! It works for me!

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for commenting.

[zen]

I like the odd angles and the appropriate name for the photo!

Odd thing, John. I've been looking at many of your subject scenes for nearly 50 years - ever since coming to Buffalo. Yet each time I see one of your images, the scene seems new! I suppose because familiarity breeds contempt, but also 'cuz your shots are quite nice. Same thing here. I've walked and driven under that dratted skyway dozens of times each year, but have not looked upward enough. Good for you.

Thanks for sharing your images.

Zen

[Shadowman]

Odd thing, John. I've been looking at many of your subject scenes for nearly 50 years - ever since coming to Buffalo. Yet each time I see one of your images, the scene seems new! I suppose because familiarity breeds contempt, but also 'cuz your shots are quite nice. Same thing here. I've walked and driven under that dratted skyway dozens of times each year, but have not looked upward enough. Good for you.

Thanks for sharing your images.

Zen

Hi Zen,

Thanks for the comments, the Skyway is a structure loved and loathed by so many, I never get tired of photographing it.

[Shadowman]

f/20, ISO 64, 1/15sec, 10mm

For this week's print I decided to photograph a cathedral that I've posted images of before but from an elevated angle. My goal was to shoot from street level and to do so I knew I needed to go wide angle otherwise I'd have to deal with other obstructions. While taking the shot I noticed the light filtering through some hedges I'm standing in front of and decided to include the shadowy effect, at the time of shooting I didn't know if I'd process in black and white but felt opening up the shadows would be necessary however I processed otherwise I might have to crop out the shadowy area.

We've been having various discussions on artist's intent and shooting for black and white and I guess this is my example of an instance where both topics were covered and hopefully my involvement with the image has been presented effectively. Regarding the print, this was done on Epson glossy paper sized at 8" x 10" image area, I wanted a black border but didn't want to print to the edge of the sheet with such a dark color, so I created the white area for my text and can still mount the image showing the black border or also the name plate.

Lighting the Day by JOHN, on Flickr

[Manfred M]

John - is there a reason that you used so much foreground and did not correct for perspective distortion in this image?

[Shadowman]

John - is there a reason that you used so much foreground and did not correct for perspective distortion in this image?

Hi Manfred,

Reason for both personal preferences, I used the foreground because I liked how the light filtered through the shadows and I actually prefer the perspective distortion; I see the distortion as more dynamic than an evenly squared structure.

[Shadowman]

f/4.5, ISO 2500, 1/10sec

Printed on Epson paper, 8.5" x 11.0".

Ambulance in Fog by JOHN, on Flickr

[skitterbug]

Nice one! Perfect weather setting for the sadness of the need for an ambulance.

[Shadowman]

Nice one! Perfect weather setting for the sadness of the need for an ambulance.

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for commenting.

[Shadowman]

f/4, 1/25sec, ISO 100

Cepa Gallery by JOHN, on Flickr

This arcade was built in 1892, it is part of what is called the Market Arcade built by architects E.B. Green and W.S. Wicks and styled after London's Burlington Arcade. The image was shot with 10mm UWA lens and usually I would leave the perspective distortion as captured but decided to modify and see if I liked the look, I do but I just love distorted perspective. The image was printed on 13" x 19" Canson Infinity Rag paper. The big Sinatra sign represents the buildings current owners, a local development company not the famous singer.

[skitterbug]

The arcade looks like an interesting place to roam around in. Your choice of paper for printing is also of interest. You put a border around the print because you are including it in a portfolio rather than framing it? It does set it off nicely! I like it!

[Manfred M]

f/4.5, ISO 2500, 1/10sec

Printed on Epson paper, 8.5" x 11.0".

[url=https://flic.kr/p/24BUnfs]Ambulance in Fog

I just had a closer look at this one and noticed the lines up towards the top and right. There are some really strange artifacts around the trees. My guess is that you did some fairly heavy duty PP work (blurring) to make de-emphasize most of the area around the ambulance. I'm not quite sure it is working all that well as it creates a lot of distracting elements and artifacts.

[Manfred M]

f/4, 1/25sec, ISO 100

Cepa Gallery by JOHN, on Flickr

This arcade was built in 1892, it is part of what is called the Market Arcade built by architects E.B. Green and W.S. Wicks and styled after London's Burlington Arcade. The image was shot with 10mm UWA lens and usually I would leave the perspective distortion as captured but decided to modify and see if I liked the look, I do but I just love distorted perspective. The image was printed on 13" x 19" Canson Infinity Rag paper. The big Sinatra sign represents the buildings current owners, a local development company not the famous singer.

You have an almost HDRI look to this image. It does work with this setting, but I'm not sure about the sign as it distracts from the beautiful old interior architecture. I guess at one time this was actual exterior architecture and the glass roof was a modern addition?

The printed border is a bit odd. There are some people that do include one in images that they plan to frame, but they tend to be fairly simple to complement the matte that goes with most framing.

[Shadowman]

The arcade looks like an interesting place to roam around in. Your choice of paper for printing is also of interest. You put a border around the print because you are including it in a portfolio rather than framing it? It does set it off nicely! I like it!

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for commenting.

[Shadowman]

You have an almost HDRI look to this image. It does work with this setting, but I'm not sure about the sign as it distracts from the beautiful old interior architecture. I guess at one time this was actual exterior architecture and the glass roof was a modern addition?

The printed border is a bit odd. There are some people that do include one in images that they plan to frame, but they tend to be fairly simple to complement the matte that goes with most framing.

Hi Manfred,

Thanks for commenting, yes the sign is a big distraction but developers have to make their mark in history I suppose. Regarding the final presentation of the print I'm divided between framing and mounting, I've recently started playing around with epoxy coatings and I'm thinking of mounting to a board and I'll apply a matte coating of Artresin giving a solid protective topcoat.

[Manfred M]

Hi Manfred,

Thanks for commenting, yes the sign is a big distraction but developers have to make their mark in history I suppose. Regarding the final presentation of the print I'm divided between framing and mounting, I've recently started playing around with epoxy coatings and I'm thinking of mounting to a board and I'll apply a matte coating of Artresin giving a solid protective topcoat.

I've gone both ways John - the board mounted prints give a more casual appearance and are far less expensive than a matted and framed print. It really depends a lot on the look you are after and also sometimes where you plan to hang the image. The board mounts are a lot lower profile and I will tend to use it in places where there is higher traffic.

[Shadowman]

I've gone both ways John - the board mounted prints give a more casual appearance and are far less expensive than a matted and framed print. It really depends a lot on the look you are after and also sometimes where you plan to hang the image. The board mounts are a lot lower profile and I will tend to use it in places where there is higher traffic.

Manfred,

I have to consider the type of board to use as well, if I use the Artresin material the coating will be very heavy so have to consider how the image will hang and if the board is sturdy enough to hold the added weight. I'm considering Plexiglas, a thick fiberboard, or even wood.

[Manfred M]

Manfred,

I have to consider the type of board to use as well, if I use the material the coating will be very heavy so have to consider how the image will hang and if the board is sturdy enough to hold the added weight. I'm considering Plexiglas, a thick fiberboard, or even wood.

Agreed. The epoxy coatings are "in" right now. One of the people in the printing course I just finished was taking the epoxy coating course and was enjoying it thoroughly. Yes, resins are heavy.

I believe MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is probably a good choice as a backing (so long as you stay with 3/8" or thicker); but it is a fairly heavy material. You do want a rigid base that is stabilized against variations in humidity.

Plexiglas (acrylic plastic) even at that thickness is probably too flexible, but is not going to be affected by changes in humidity.

Unless it is well sealed and very smooth, wood absorbs and releases moisture (regain) and may or may not be ideal; it would probably be my last choice in the material you have listed.

A number of photographers have suggested that like many trendy approaches, the epoxy coatings are currently a "fashion" and like many other trendy methods,could start to look dated fairly quickly.

[Shadowman]

I just had a closer look at this one and noticed the lines up towards the top and right. There are some really strange artifacts around the trees. My guess is that you did some fairly heavy duty PP work (blurring) to make de-emphasize most of the area around the ambulance. I'm not quite sure it is working all that well as it creates a lot of distracting elements and artifacts.

Hi Manfred,

Not sure what those are, the effect is created in-camera (miniature effect), will have to look at original. Thanks for noticing and commenting.

[Shadowman]

Agreed. The epoxy coatings are "in" right now. One of the people in the printing course I just finished was taking the epoxy coating course and was enjoying it thoroughly. Yes, resins are heavy.

I believe MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is probably a good choice as a backing (so long as you stay with 3/8" or thicker); but it is a fairly heavy material. You do want a rigid base that is stabilized against variations in humidity.

Plexiglas (acrylic plastic) even at that thickness is probably too flexible, but is not going to be affected by changes in humidity.

Unless it is well sealed and very smooth, wood absorbs and releases moisture (regain) and may or may not be ideal; it would probably be my last choice in the material you have listed.

A number of photographers have suggested that like many trendy approaches, the epoxy coatings are currently a "fashion" and like many other trendy methods,could start to look dated fairly quickly.

Thanks for the suggestions for backing materials, I was also looking into whether or not drilling a hole would be an option but it's recommending not to do so near the edges.

Regarding the trend, yes it is possible to lose popularity but considering the natural surfaces of photo paper glossy and matte textures will always be normal, I think epoxies might stick around even if it is just for protective purposes.