In all the years I've lived here, I'd never really noticed the beautiful stairs and fountain at the lower level of the Hancock building -- the iconic black tower. With the tower behind me, I photographed this looking west toward the "Bloomingdale's building."
I used HDR (maybe over-used) combining three photos, then did some tweaking in Color Efex and Aperture.
@golftragic@newbank@pamknowler@888rachel@sullivar
HI Marnie, Ruth, Pam, Rachel, and Ryan. He's my 'consciously architectural' shot with our group in mind. I wanted to capture the architecture of a Chicago skyscraper and its setting, but where one building was the clear focus. Thanks to our group's focus, I noticed things this week that I hadn't ever really paid attention to before.
I think we have consensus...2 weeks on architectural elements starting Monday, so that no one feels rushed. And b&w or color is just fine.
@homeschoolmom Yep -- that's where the Cheesecake Factory is -- good eye! In all the years I've lived here, I've actually never walked down there, and I'd not really paid attention to it when going in and out of the Hancock building. It was a 'find' today that I was quite happy to have stumbled on.
@cashew Heehee!! I think the high rent folks would not like to refer to it as a concrete jungle, but it's FILLED with concrete everywhere! Though I was hoping that while they are subtle, there are trees lining the street. They just look very tiny next to the buildings.
@epcello Thanks Erika! I have the Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 wide angle. It's quite a super lens with great optics. Probably the best lens I own. It did take me a few years to learn to use it well enough as the distortion I found to be really tricky to make it work for the photo.
@taffy Definitely a concrete jungle by my standards, albeit an expensive version of same. I think this is a wonderful shot Taffy, I love the way you've left the lens distortion in the shot to accentuate the clustering of buildings. I also particularly like the (relatively) small church building which contrasts so well in several ways with the angularity and architecture of the taller buildings. Then there's a plethora of wonderful detail in the shot which keeps the viewer's eye wandering around and discovering more, and more and … Magic!! I was very interested to hear you'd used a wide angle lens to take this shot, I tend to be welded on to my 16-300 for reasons that are partly laziness/convenience, and partially ignorance of how best to use my UWA 10-24. Having seen this shot, I'll now give it a go and see what happens.
Amazing shot and perspective!! And, yes, those trees look miniscule compared to the buildings. And, that underground "plaza" reminds me of that New Yorker cartoon where the contractor runs up to the guys digging this hole all the way to China, and cries out "stop digging!! We have the plans upside down"..... ;-))
I love this Taffy. I haven't a clue how you'd use three images to make one, but whatever it's brilliant. The trees really add a sense of scale. I love the steps and the tables and chairs, from a cafe I presume, in the bottom right. I've spent ages looking at every detail and I'm sure I'll be back as there's so much to see. Fav
What a fantastic image Taffy! So much to look at and take in! Love the way you have used the distortion caused by the wide angle lens. So interesting to see and just shows the variety you can get from that lens. Sometimes you need to correct it and other as in this case you use the distortion for effect. The buildings, the scale, the composition, the fab processing, another top shot once again. Making me want to visit Chicago! You should sell your images to the city to use in their holiday brochures! Fav!
I like the way the lens exaggerates the shapes of the steps and the height of the sky scrapers! Makes Chicago look like a futuristic city. The HDR adds so much detail. I'd like to learn more about that in the coming year.
I don't think this is too much HDR. Well it isn't viewing it on the ipad... Agree with Pam. The distortion works well. I love your view point with the steps leading your eye up to the buildings. I like all the people that give a scale to all the buildings that are built to serve them. Great architectural shot. And thanks for suggesting this theme, I'm very much enjoying it.
I love that you have added the foreground element (steps, people, trees...). The building looks much more impressive because there is context. The lens is really working for you in this one... I like the neutral tones and the enhanced detail. The highlights are quite muted, a conscious choice ? Takes me to Gotham City a bit ... :)
I really love the way that the stairs lead you up into the image. The small church just emphasizes how tall the building is. Great processing, this would be an amazing postcard. Fav
Trying to capture this all in one shot must have been a trick. Also that there must be all kinds of shadows to deal with but they don't take over the photo. I think you see the grandeur that the planners wanted us to see in this spot.
Wow indeed a very interesting POV it gives a wonderful perspective and such an interesting scene. I'm a sucker for HDR so feel it is right and do not think it is over done.
Interesting how the world sometimes changes when you turn around! Your composition is very neat and strong, and the end result is fairly natural in spite of all you have done. Great image overall.
Just a super shot and processing. The more I see of your shots the more I want to get to Chicago! Love the highlighting of the stairs and lower regions.
@888rachel Thanks Rachel. The tiny church is where I took the shot of the arches in b&w (I think the title was about where I saw the rodent). It's such a beautiful few blocks for photographing and filled with contrasts.
Nice shot! I love the pov and composition. I also like the effect these tall buildings have when being compressed into the size of a picture (like they're falling on top of you). fav
Wow Taffy this is a great architectural shot, the HDR works well and I don't think you have overdone it. I love the sweep of the stairs and the way they lead you into the buildings and that impressive skyscraper. The church gives a great sense of scale too. The clouds also work well here. A superb image Taffy.
Next time you take this scene could you possibly add a tad more sky to the top of the image. Do you have an ND Filter?
This picture has such depth, and not because of the stairs leading downwards. It just seems so expansive, so huge! Your architectural images never cease to amaze, impress and Wow!
So amazingly dramatic! I've gone down there before -- years ago -- and before I began "seeing" through a camera perspective. Well spotted and captured, indeed!
Fantastic! I love the way the stairs lead your eye right up to the side of the building and to the top of the photo. It really gives a sense of scale to the buildings too.
What a marvelous spot from which to take your photo! I wish that I might never miss your photos, and get around to other favorites as well...and still have time to take pictures...post pictures, keep in touch...etc etc... How do you do it all and teach as well! You've certainly got the skills in order!
HI Marnie, Ruth, Pam, Rachel, and Ryan. He's my 'consciously architectural' shot with our group in mind. I wanted to capture the architecture of a Chicago skyscraper and its setting, but where one building was the clear focus. Thanks to our group's focus, I noticed things this week that I hadn't ever really paid attention to before.
I think we have consensus...2 weeks on architectural elements starting Monday, so that no one feels rushed. And b&w or color is just fine.
Great pov and comp.
Next time you take this scene could you possibly add a tad more sky to the top of the image. Do you have an ND Filter?