West Wing #2

mid afternoon without circular polarizer.

Having just seen the midday shot in the same folder, I prefer this, hands down. The subtle warmth of the walls opposed to the coldish tint of the blue sky gives them a stronger three-dimensional effect.

 

In addition, the shadow/light contrast in the left structure gives an overall left->right rythm to the image. This I find completely absent in the midday shot.

 

Assuming you are interested in furhter comparisons among the two, the only thing I miss here you've got there is some gentle cloud... it would not be bad to have some texture in the sky, with the chaotic lines of a cloud, to contrast the regular texture of the walls.

I wondered about the gentle texture of the cloud in the other upload. I didn't even see it in the stupid A2 "viewfinder"

 

This is a classic Washington , D.C. picture. It's even on a postage stamp, yet I'd never shot it until yesterday. I think that the best possible composition might include strategically placed clouds, although I'm happy with this more stark uniformly blue background.

This is the more interesting composition of the two, to me at least. Somehow clouds tend to distract me in many photographs so I can not say that I miss them here. This reminds me a little of those standardized IQ tests where you are supposed to figure out how a bunch of shapes can be assembled into a square (did that make any sense at all I wonder). The only slightly comparable subject I can think of from around here is the St. Louis Arch with its similar (depending on the light) looking stainless steel panels.

 

I think this shot works very well because of the complimentary warm/cool colors and the great use of shapes. The colors and shapes combine to make an interesting composition of advancing and receding form and color. Good stuff.

super graphic. sharp. strong color.

Great contrast! I love the way the angles work in this image.

Glad you're enjoying it.

 

Dennis, the idea of fitting parts together is intentional. It's supposed to be a yin / yang composition as well as a symetrical arrangement with the two main obliques meeting at the center, albeit outside the frame.

Sorry, I came back and did some editing to my previous comments (not sure if it makes me more clear or less clear) The Yin and Yang concept is exactly right and executed in clever abstract with straight lines instead of curved ones. Shape and color are trying to exist within the same space here. The places where they touch add tension and interest. This can be taken as a harmonious or aggressive experience. You could also say that the lines are all sloping down or all sloping up.

 

I wonder if there's a way to frame the sky and buildings to create an Escher type mirror image pattern, your shot certianly made me think of Eschers work. I prefer this one also.

Ben, the two elements aren't close enough together to pull off what I think you're describing.

 

I'm definitely an Escher fan. Recently took out a library video on his life.

Carl, I think you did a terrific job of balancing the shapes and warm vs. cool color in this abstract. I really love the shape created by the blue sky. Any clouds at all would have spoiled this graphic shot and turned it into something completely different.

 

I also suspect you did some exposure compensation on this. Most metering systems would have wanted those highlights brighter. That would have diminished the rich warm tone you acheived here.

I underexposed the image for just the reason you suggest, but by not "exposing to the right" any lightening of the sky adds noise, especially with these small sensors (KM A2), even at ISO 64. It seems like such a simple exposure, but I'd be inclined to bracket with either film or digital if I shoot this, or something similar, in the future.

Pyramids. Regards,

Carl: I'm not a student of art, yin-yang or otherwise, but this image draws the imagination because it is a well executed exposure under difficult lighting conditions and the composition is striking yet comfortable. Nice work.

I came for another look. Forget yin-yang: that's a smooth merging of opposite. With those sharp angles, we are talking gearwheels...I keep on visualising rotating buildings, now, pulling pieces of sky with them.

Just great. I love the look of this. I shot the same thing (although I've never seen another like this (or the stamp - how cool that would be)) and it's kind of fascinating how similar the two pictures are while still being completely different. You took yours (I think) from a lot closer than I did. So mine came out a bit more abstract while yours emphasizes the structure more. I love the distortion here and the rotating feeling that others commented upon. Just brillant. I find it odd how my picture - which is much more solid looking and undistorted - feels so much less like a building than your does. It's a case of distortion actually heightening the reality of the shot. Great work!

Carl, using a metaphor I would have said that it looks like interlaced fingers of two different people...the texture of the yellow parts brings it to reality...the angle that touches the light and shadow gives it a subtle appearance, and I think that the blue part(sky) has to stay as it is, "clean".

I like it.

Just uploaded another one for your consideration. Kind of disorienting . . . . well, you decide.

Exceptional composition! Strong, striking, full of texture and vibrancy. Tough to pull off.