Lowry Theatre and Gallery

[derekphil]

Trying ot get an atmospheric image, with a lot of post processing.

Is it too dark? Overprocessed?

[Manfred M]

Being B&W you can certainly push the image a lot harder that you can in colour, so it really does depend on what you are trying to say with it.

In my view, yes you have pushed it too hard. The building is too "crunchy" for my taste and the sky is far too dark.

[xpatUSA]

That is one ugly building!

I like the processing, having attempted a similar rule-breaking shot recently. The sky is reminiscent of IR work but relieved in this case by the bright parts of the building ...

[Shadowman]

Whether or not it's too dark depends on what you plan to do with the image and what effect that sky has on your visuals, the sky to me has a wave pattern in the clouds which could suggest the wind was blowing or your processing created the effect. Also, if you are printing or a lab is printing, what type of paper are you printing on, is the printer capable of rendering the blacks the way you want to view them, and under what type of lighting will your audience view the image. I can see an image like this printed on metallic or baryta paper, have you considered the final output and what will it be?

[davidedric]

I thought I knew the Lowry theatre quite well, I've been there many times, but I had to look hard to recognise it.

I think it is over processed, but for me it made me look again, so in that way it worked.

And Ted, it is not at all an ugly building. Taken with the Imperial War Museim across the water, I think it is a very interesting vista, though sadly I've never photogrphed it

[xpatUSA]

Said Ted: That is one ugly building!

And Ted, it is not at all an ugly building.

Each to his own, then.

[escape]

I like the image and bulding. Very sci-fi.

[pschlute]

I like the processing style here, but agree the sky is far too dark.

[derekphil]

Thanks all.
The general consensus, then, is that the sky is too dark, and it's somewhat overprocessed. Manfred's comment on its being too "crunchy", I suppose means that it's oversharpened?
I haven't got around to deciding what to do with the image; I was looking for candidates for a salon category of "Urban Landscapes", but have been told that what I have is architectural, not landscape. Not enough content with just one building.
I agree with Dave that this is an interesting building, and I don't find it ugly. This is at Salford Quays near Manchester, and it's a development with lots of modern and interesting buildings. In my opinion.

[royent]

The verticals need straightening

[Wavelength]

I like the play of patterns here, but would have liked a more natural sky

[pschlute]

The verticals need straightening

Very good

[bje07]

It seems a bit to dark .... or there is not enough bright lights.
B&W is difficult (IMO) as you play with cursors and always triy to have a little more effect and it difficult to spot just at the right level. (The same for me)

[royent]

Peter I live about 3 miles from this, it doesn't lean as much as this, look at the uprights for the fence
Roy

[pschlute]

Peter I live about 3 miles from this, it doesn't lean as much as this, look at the uprights for the fence
Roy

Ahh. Not having seen the building I thought it was part of the design.