'The (Urban) Landscape'

'Landscape' is one type of photography, and generally in 'landscape'

motion seldom is an issue outside of the seascape and other moving

water sub-genres, but in 'urban landscape' sometimes tenths or even

hundredths of a second may mean the difference between photographic

success and failure. Your ratings, critiques and observations are

invited and most welcome. If you rate harshly, very critically or

just wish to make a remark, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment; please share your photographic knowledge to help improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! john

Very urban indeed. Well, kind of... I really like the way the plane is frame in the picture, and the b&w rendering

The plane's precise presence and its positioning within the the photo is the ONLY reason for this particular photo's existence. 

Without it, the photo has no worth as other than a documentary of this street, and only then it would have to be framed differently.

Presented this way, it is intended that the plane fill out the composition. 

I think in color it would not have been cohesive enough - one would have had more trouble understanding the composition amid the visual cocophony of colors.

Thank you for the kind remark.

john

John (Crosley)

I have a similar photo taken at a different time from nearly the same place, in this same portfolio taken quite a while ago in which composition was a little more complex (or obscure).  You might compare:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9905891&size=lg

(I'm sorry this didn't automatically imbed as they sometimes have in the past.  Please cut and paste in your browser for the link if it doesn't show embedded in your browser.  It doesn't show that way in mine.  jc)

john

John (Crosley)

This is a classic for me.

My only issue are the tones, and I'm sure we will have different opinions on this. Somehow the contrasts are too marked from where I sit.

And I would have liked more "depth": I see the aircraft on the same plane as the buildings and posters, which it obviously not.

Cheers,

L.

PS The other photo you mention, which I knew, is has a better contrast and depth of field.

PPS Now I realise it's the same place!

Thank you for the high compliment -- a 'classic'.  That's high praise from you.

I suppose the contrast might be toned down a bit, but it's a correct rendering of what it looks like on a bright summer day in Los Angeles area near LAX where there is no pollution (ocean breezes).

The lack of appearance of depth of field showing the airplane on nearly the same plane as the foreground is an optical illusion, but it's intentional.  It's meant to use the airplane as an element of the 'skyline' and to appear as though it's in one plane rather than a photo of depth. 

The only way to change the appearance of depth of field would be somehow to blur the airplane by using slower shutter speed of shallower depth of field or both, neither of which would have fulfilled my own artistic vision.  I think also you would not then have though it a 'classic' or even liked it if the airplane were blurred.

As to the contrast -- I'll think about it.

Thanks for the comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Cool photo John.

A 'cool photo' from you is a '10' in my book any day.

That's why I keep posting these things - on the off chance something like this may strike a chord with someone like you.

Thanks.

john

John (Crosley)

I was thinking about this picture. Did you take it early in the morning? This could be influencing the separation of the different planes of the picture.

L.

Don't be silly John, you have many many photos I admire even if I don't always say something.  Is this in LA?  It has a Southland look to it and evokes a certain feeling to me.  I love the Goodyear store and the tattoo parlor next to it, the late 50's to mid 60's buildings are great.

The lighting (and my memory) indicates this photo was taken from mid-day tomid- late afternoon in summer. Lighting from the sun was from overhead to behind me -- direction of one major runway and ocean.

Notice that the underbelly of the plane is in shadow and the top is brightly lighted and also the front. Those mid '50s and mid '60s buildings also are brightly lighted from the front and overhead.

I'm enormously glad you like this particular photo enough to analyze it so well and be so interested -- that's a very good sign for this photo.

The other, previously linked photo was taken nearby but from a farther point -- nearby, but not the exact same place and with a different focal length.

I take the most unusual photos, don't I? I just carry a camera around and take what interests me. This was across the street from a very good hamburger joint/world class chain -- one of the best and most popular in LA and the Southland.

Thanks for your additional comment.

john

John (Crosley)

The lighting (and my memory) indicates this photo was taken from mid-day tomid- late afternoon in summer. Lighting from the sun was from overhead to behind me -- direction of one major runway and ocean. Notice that the underbelly of the plane is in shadow and the top is brightly lighted and also the front. Those mid '50s and mid '60s buildings also are brightly lighted from the front and overhead. I'm enormously glad you like this particular photo enough to analyze it so well and be so interested -- that's a very good sign for this photo. The other, previously linked photo was taken nearby but from a farther point -- nearby, but not the exact same place and with a different focal length. I take the most unusual photos, don't I? I just carry a camera around and take what interests me. This was across the street from a very good hamburger joint/world class chain -- one of the best and most popular in LA and the Southland. Thanks for your additional comment.

john

John (Crosley)

Sorry about the double post -- it applies both to you and Luca, but it took 40 minutes to post and the edit period expired while my computer took that time to post it and reveal it in posts.

I'm glad to learn you are a regular viewer and like some of my work; you don't have to praise photos of mine to comment.

Constructive comments that don't necessarily praise but add your considerable knowledge and experience ane help me take another or other future photos better, or cause me to even make a little different consideration next time I'm out there with a camera are very welcome, especially come from someone of your vast experience and reputation.

Again, this computer connection is slower than something from the bush of Africa, though it's far from Africa -- an Internet cable outage or something, resulting in my inability to see my posts in time to edit.

Thanks for the continuing comments; may I hear from you again on this and other photos? i'd love it if you are so moved.

john

John (Crosley)