gateways (a traveller's view on arrival or departure) rail stations Gateways Paddington Station Eco travel

I wanted to contrast the symmetrical lines of the metal roof and contrast it

with the random patterns of the bikes below, as well as showing one of the

better eco schemes on a British station. This shot is part of a project on

Gateways and what a tourists sees when they first arrive. I would be

grateful of any views or comments, best wishes William.

A really great image that illustrates a vanishing point.  Thank you for sharing.  Many years ago I used to live about an hour north of London. 

A most marvelous image indeed this IS! The inclusion of the few people make this seem a lived in place too it does. Nice use, and nicely not overdone, shadow / highlight balance.

-r-

William, as always I preface with, this is opinion. It is not carved in stone, only what I see, feel and think about when I examine your photograph.

As Bill mentions, the converging lines, the diminishing perspective gives your image considerable depth.

Being from Texas the mass of bikes is intriguing. In spite of the tax dollars wasted on bike lanes here you will always see more bikes on carracks than actually on the road. In your image, I am assuming the riders have taken the train into the city to work and can only imagine the clamor when the homebound trains arrive. Must be something to witness. Great exercise for evacuating the city should it ever be needed.

The building is also interesting with the ironwork decoration that ties it to the style of architecture popular at the beginning of railroads. An interesting touch.

However, I do have a question. In the hierarchy of visual weight the human form trumps almost everything else. So I am not sure how I feel about the three people. Had they been walking or looking in the direction of the flow of lines they would have only strengthened the flow. They are not. They are creating a movement that is in opposition that creates a tension or conflict. Were they not there or if their movement were in the opposite direction the image would be stable, quiet, a peaceful respite between the mornings and late afternoons. So, how does that tension affect the image? Does it say that even when the station is less active there is still an underlying air of activity an underlying tenseness that everything is about to or could spring into action at any moment? The people are placed at the very edge of the image, which implies that even they will soon be gone and the station may at last rest awaiting the onslaught of workers. But for this brief period they give a life to the quietness.

In all it is an interesting photograph. After some study, what I originally saw as a negative and was about to take you on about, the people moving the wrong direction, out of rather than into the image, and crammed against the edge creating tension, has become a positive. I think they wake the image up.

I keep coming back to enjoy the feeling the images creates of motion.  I feel as if I am being propelled forward.  Terribly interesting in many ways.  Excellent photo. 

Saludos, Dana

A beautiful shot, William!

Great shot. It is worth time to study.

The first thing that strikes me is that man builds neat organized structures as shown by the roof and pillars etc but lives in constant motion and change as shown by the random bikes and the people moving. I believe the people make this shot. Since there are people on both sides the shot seems balanced. Some are coming and some are going - just as real life is. What's more they seem to be coming from or going to where the vanishing lines lead our eyes. But we can not quite see what is there - just as in life we can't see what is ahead for us or others and we really don't know where others have come from. I really enjoyed taking time to try to see all that is in this shot - whether intended or not.

Dave