Through the Tunnel by taffy

Through the Tunnel

This is the same tunnel as the color version posted a few days ago - http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-09-09 - taken using one of the most useful camera techniques I've learned on 365, spot metering. I used spot metering so that the reading was from the end of the tunnel only, which created a much darker scene. I then converted it to b&w and with some advice from fellow photographers Jane, Eric, and Ross, ended up with this composition and title (I had originally called it "Through the Tunnel Together" but consensus was it was too dark and potentially ominous to have a romantic title).
I want to thank all of you who commented and fav'd my shot of the Union Station portico. What a supportive response -- made my day today!

Update 12September - per suggestions from Jani M, here is yet another version on flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffyraphael/15194801776/in/set-72157642546358235
I've yet to consciously use spot metering in necessary situations like this, but this is a perfect example of the worth of it!
September 12th, 2014  
Great to see this pov of the tunnel
September 12th, 2014  
This is great. The metering has worked well for you and there is a style of blackness to this which adds an emotional depth
September 12th, 2014  
wonderful dark and light
September 12th, 2014  
Great crop, Taffy, I really like it this way, and the new title really fits well! Spurred by your use of it, I have also begun to have a look at spot metering...such a simple little tool/setting, but really makes life so much easier for this type of scene.
September 12th, 2014  
Excellent processing and crop - love it this way
September 12th, 2014  
Thanks for sharing the technical aspects Taffy, it really helps me (and I'm sure others) to understand how a shot is achieved. This is an image that I keep looking at.
September 12th, 2014  
I like this in b & w! It feels like I'm inside the tunnel, looking from my own vantage point.
September 12th, 2014  
Lovely capture. I have struggled so much with spot metering, I think I misunderstand it totally! I should do more reading up on it and have another go at it.
September 12th, 2014  
Spot metering makes life definitely easier. Since the exposure in this kind of setting is tricky to get right, I sometimes use bracketing also, to get an under- & an over-exposed version. Better chance to get things right :) I am drawn towards the darker figures in front, they are framed in a cool way. I wish the couple was a bit more exposed though. I think the framing could be a bit tighter (the right side and the bottom is expendable IMO). But it is a great image, and I like the overall dark vibe. I think it's very romantic that they are holding hands as the go through this ominous tunnel... :)
September 12th, 2014  
completely different feel to this shot
September 12th, 2014  
Wow, excellent job here. I love this version. the other one was fantastic too but this has a totally different feel to it. Thanks too for telling how you achieved this photo. Always good to learn something from members. Definitely worth a fav.
September 12th, 2014  
Yeah! Saw this on your flicker page and really liked it. Now where do you say this stands? Architecture shot? Street shot? For me its both, but the ki nd off street shot I like as its the people who you are lead to through image and wonder about. Thanks for explaining spot metering yet to do it but filled it at back of my mind for future reference.
September 12th, 2014  
Always love tunnels and a play of dark and light
September 12th, 2014  
Great contrasts
September 12th, 2014  
So wonderful, the contrast between the dark and light. I really like the couple holding hands at the end too. Fav
September 12th, 2014  
Beautiful...love the lighting. Thanks for the spot metering advice. I need to try it!
September 12th, 2014  
Love the light and contrast, brilliant b&w
September 12th, 2014  
They do look a little like they are trying to decide whether to enter or not. It is fun to see how light and color affect are perceptions. It does look more foreboding in this shot.
September 12th, 2014  
Fabulous B&W, love the people silhouetted within and at the entrance :)
September 12th, 2014  
FAV. Amazing shot.
September 12th, 2014  
cool!
September 12th, 2014  
I loved the color verseion, but think I like the B&W even bettter...lovely technique and effect. Amazing how it looks so totally different. FAV
September 12th, 2014  
difficuly exposure to atteive and done very well
September 12th, 2014  
Excellent, love the hand-holding framed by the trees. Fav.
September 12th, 2014  
Beautiful...very well done. I have a hard time letting some areas just be dark. I should practice this.
September 12th, 2014  
It looks fantastic, the darkness takes us straight to the scene at the end.
September 12th, 2014  
nice lighting and compostition
September 12th, 2014  
Great pov
September 12th, 2014  
This is beautiful work. I love the way that the couple is framed.
September 12th, 2014  
Wonderful detail, especially as the tunnel is so dark. Very accomplished photography, fav.
September 12th, 2014  
Stunning picture and perspective. Congratulations on making the Trending Page. Well deserved.
September 12th, 2014  
Another gorgeous tunnel!
September 12th, 2014  
@janim Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Jani. I appreciate them, and applied your suggestions to a revision I saved to Flickr, if you're interested in seeing the result. What do you think (if you happen to look at it)? https://www.flickr.com/photos/taffyraphael/15194801776/in/set-72157642546358235
September 12th, 2014  
@taffy Oh thanks for taking the time to try out my suggestions! In my opinion the crop from the right side works well, because now the strong diagonal line is in the corner, making it even stronger. It is like an exclamation mark at the end of an sentence, and there's no point of saying anything after that :) In the v2 I see you have more stuff on the left side, which is a very cool addition and I think the crop from bottom became less important. I feel the 3:2 aspect ratio is the one to go with in this image.
September 12th, 2014  
Fabulous capture, absolutely great use of the shadows and the available ligt - most certainly a FAV
September 12th, 2014  
I love the way the lines lead you out from the darkness into the light.
September 12th, 2014  
I think this is a fabulous capture. Now I am. So about spot metering. I like both versions I'm not sure if I could choose a favorite from either one.
September 12th, 2014  
Love this image, but think I prefer the one on Flickr.
September 12th, 2014  
Lovely light and shot.
September 12th, 2014  
very cool shot... its sparked an idea and motivated me to get out and try something..so thanks :)
September 12th, 2014  
Once again you have another winner. I gotta get out more!! FAV
September 12th, 2014  
Wow............completely different feel to this photo!!
Looks great in b&w................the spot metering works well!
Fav
September 13th, 2014  
Awesome lighting and composition, Taffy!
September 13th, 2014  
Love this in b&w. Perfect title. The couple in silhouette at the end and the barely perceptible couple in foreground really make this special.
September 13th, 2014  
Awesome photo!
September 13th, 2014  
OMG this is dramatically different effect. Super shot and processing. Must look into spot metering.
September 13th, 2014  
fab!
September 13th, 2014  
Love this, too awesome how one tunnel gives such different shots. Really like the effect of this tho!
September 13th, 2014  
Beautiful in B&W!
September 13th, 2014  
Curious about Flickr group. Tell me more. :) I am not able to handle 365 like most of you. I'm about to quit to be honest. Love the spot metering! I tried this before, but thought it would be best with multiple shots to layer. But then I don't know how to layer. By any chance is Ross, Ross Walker. Love him. Tell him hi in case it is indeed Ross. :)
September 13th, 2014  
This is wonderful!
September 13th, 2014  
@darylo Will send an email...yes, it's that Ross
September 13th, 2014  
Very interesting shot! I always appreciate the technical comments. Thanks for sharing.
September 13th, 2014  
Nicely executed!
September 13th, 2014  
Love the way you captured this, your shots are always of a very high quality.
September 13th, 2014  
Love! The processing, the composition, all of it!
September 13th, 2014  
I so love tunnel shots. This is super. Fav!
September 13th, 2014  
Terrific shot - love it
September 13th, 2014  
Wonderful image Taffy! I love the extremes of light. I must try spot metering if you can get this effect! Fav!
September 13th, 2014  
Great shot! It doesn't look that ominous to me, so the original title would have been fine- but that's just my take on it! In theater we used to call this kind of shot a "birth image" because of the dark to light gradiation. Not that you were really thinking about that, but it came to mind so I typed it!!
September 14th, 2014  
i always love the dark... and tunnel shots! very cool!
September 14th, 2014  
@olivetreeann That's interesting, Ann. I hadn't heard the expression -- I love all I learn on 365!
September 14th, 2014  
Very nice dark shot :)
September 15th, 2014  
I like this dark shot too! Great candid moment you caught too!
September 16th, 2014  
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