Our banks by maggiemae

Our banks

For many people these buildings symbolise Whitestone Ōamaru. They have stood side by side since 1883, when Robert Lawson’s Bank of New South Wales appeared alongside its older neighbour. They show how much the gold rushes stimulated banking.
Nowdays the one on the left is still a bank, the other is an art gallery.
Taken with a new app that layers photos to make an HDR shot. Its not too hard to follow. Thanks Pam @pamknowler! Until I buy it the saved shots have the watermark all over them!

Three good things:
1. This app removes unwanted noise too reasonably well.
2. Some good news on the financial front.
3. A book of Robert Browning's poetry that belonged to my father remains on the counter top - its really hard to get into!
Wonderful architectural buildings
July 22nd, 2014  
Love how you an see right through the one on the right. You should try Tam O'Shanter - I did it for O'level and it's brilliant. You might want to get an annotated copy from the internet with 'translations' - it does help. I still think about the line 'nursing her anger to keep it warm' when I'm feeling grumpy and doing just that because the perpetrator is out!
July 22nd, 2014  
Love the grand building of Oamaru.. particularly like all the windows on the one on the right... great shot.
July 22nd, 2014  
@judithg The reflection in the windows makes it look as if you can see right through, Judith. I've made a note about Tam O"Shanter, thanks.
July 22nd, 2014  
@maggiemae Oh - I'm so thick at times...
July 22nd, 2014  
@judithg Never!
July 22nd, 2014  
Beautiful buildings
July 22nd, 2014  
Wonderful buildings that show off the lovely creamy stone .......there must have been lots of money in the gold rush days & what better way than to invest in these handsome buildings for the future if your town.
I too thought you could see right through the building on the right.....I think that app might be worth buying!
July 22nd, 2014  
Great capture, these are really imposing buildings
July 22nd, 2014  
The building on the right looks much more imposing but I wonder if it is just that in this photo those windows make it look like it has life whereas those in the shade next door look dull in comparison. Interesting and I guess it is an example of how photos tell a story at a moment in time.
July 22nd, 2014  
@happypat HDR is good for some things but makes a big difference, Pat. I just might buy it as it is so easy to use.
July 22nd, 2014  
@lwain Nicely put, Lindy! The sky was white and reflected so in the top windows!
July 22nd, 2014  
Very stately old buildings. What kind of an art gallery is the converted one?
July 22nd, 2014  
What lovely buildings!! fab shot:)
July 22nd, 2014  
Gorgeous structures! I am glad the one on the right still gets to serve a good purpose in the community!
July 22nd, 2014  
@skstein Mostly paintings but some sculptures, Sandy! Its funny inside - all dark and stairs everywhere!
July 22nd, 2014  
@judithg Judith, its me that is the idiot - Its Robert Browning not Robert Burns!
July 22nd, 2014  
As in Elizabeth Barrett Browning - never read his - always thought he was a bit self indulgent (no real evidence) but I think even the Victorians found him hard work!
July 22nd, 2014  
Awesome shot
July 22nd, 2014  
very posh almost greek in design
July 22nd, 2014  
Beautiful buildings with that feeling of stability which banks ought to have.
July 22nd, 2014  
Beautiful architecture styles. I love the effects from the new app. you used!
July 23rd, 2014  
Very beautiful architecture and composition. Lovely shot!
July 23rd, 2014  
Beautiful architecture shot. The cars in front with their three colors are perfect for your shot.
July 23rd, 2014  
@daisymiller Thanks Daisy - I thought that too!
July 23rd, 2014  
Fabulous structures and perfectly clear capture. Your comment on my sunrise - yes 5 minutes from start to finish is about all you get. I like to be in position well before. Also, my shots are hand-held can't carry a tripod on my 5 Km walk.
July 23rd, 2014  
@tonydebont Goodness, Tony - you must be fit - 5km every, well almost every, morning!
July 23rd, 2014  
Great little story! I agree with @judithg Judith, with the reflections, it looks like I'm looking right through it! Great capture!
July 23rd, 2014  
Great architectural shot and I appreciate the back story. The one on the right looks like it would have great natural lighting for the gallery there.
July 23rd, 2014  
Beautiful buildings
July 23rd, 2014  
Love the symmetry and the history behind it.
July 23rd, 2014  
Two find buildings, and great that you can see right through the one on the right.
July 23rd, 2014  
Really great with the three cars. Nicely done!
July 23rd, 2014  
I like how the one on the right looks almost like a façade because of the reflections in the windows. Or can you really see through it?!
July 23rd, 2014  
@grammyn No, its a really solid building, Katy! The white sky is reflected in those windows creating that look.
July 23rd, 2014  
Very imposing buildings! Great composition.
July 23rd, 2014  
@maggiemae That is what i initially thought but then I started second guessing myself!
July 23rd, 2014  
wow! that is really stunning work! kudos to that app, might be the one thing i would put my hand on to try. very crisp details on the buildings, i like it! haven't read robert browning since i was in my late 20's. must pull out the book.
July 23rd, 2014  
Very impressive- two different banks but apparently the same architect as the columns match so nicely. And here I thought you were doing a tribute to the USA with the red, "white" and blue cars (but on second look they are obviously nodding their hoods to France). hehehe
July 24th, 2014  
Awesome looking buildings, Maggiemae. Nice that they are still in use.
July 24th, 2014  
nice architectural photo
July 24th, 2014  
Outstanding examples of Oamaru stone buildings and so excellently photographed by you. This shot deserves a place in the national archives.
July 25th, 2014  
I should have said too that the cars will date the photos nicely for future generations to ponder.
July 25th, 2014  
Very impressive buildings xx
July 25th, 2014  
Impressing and nicely captured, great focus
July 26th, 2014  
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