It's been awhile since I've had an opportunity for a subway shot -- this is a busy underground station at Chicago Avenue. After getting off the train, I waited until all the others had left the platform to get the look I wanted. Three bracketed shots, processed in Photomatix. I figured it fit the EOTB theme this week.
You must be in your element again, Taffy. From your posts I really get the impression that urban photography/cityscapes are what you are comfortable with. This is an excellent example of it: well composed, great B&W processing with strong contrast yet full tonal range, beautiful lines which takes me deep into your picture. Perfect!
@ericdibosco Yep -- I definitely love urban photography now, but it took me til about a year ago, more than 8 months into 365. I remember the photograph that was a turning point for me -- a shot of Buckingham Fountain, looking into the sun. Til then, I'd been pretty depressed returning to the city from the island and losing all my nature areas which were "my" site all summer -- spiders and bugs, sunsets, etc. Now, I find urban areas as or more interesting because of the way you can emphasize structure, and of course, long exposure night shots!
@redy4et Haha! Yes, empty for about a nano-second! There are actually two people but fortunately, I could time them going behind the columns on the left so it looked more empty than it was. It's so strange how it fills as the train empties, then the platform is empty for a few seconds, and then fills up again with people waiting for the next train.
@taffy That was one of the surprises for me on 365: learning new approaches, exploring new subjects, getting comfortable with my camera through regular use and being pushed to try new things which I saw from others' posts. Well, you certainly have grown in urban photography!
great perspective and b&w processing - someone has done a whole series of London Underground empty like this by waiting for the empty moments - I'm another one who learnt to love urban landscapes through photography
Wonderful B&W image Taffy! Great processing! Your urban shots are always so exciting! I used to work in London and love the city. I miss all those photo opportunities!
Isn't there a famous bw of a subway shot from I think NYC. The one I am thinking about was very sharply focused and I love your gritty look here. The lighting must be interesting to work with.
You do look in your element taffy. Wonderful to see your shots from Chicago again. I have enjoyed your summer shots but it these ones that really drew me to your work and a part of the world I don't know.
Great urban grunge shot Taffy, you've really captured the gritty feel of an underground station. The perspective and convergence of leading lines adds even more strength to the image.
Instant fav Taffy, I love these urban shots of yours, great depth to this. Do you use a tripod when you are in the subway? I really like the natural look of this image.
You are right... this shot has much of the same compositional feel as the "too hot outside" shot of mine from yesterday. As I have noted before, these leading lines are so magnetic for me. :)
@elaine55 Thanks Elaine! I don't carry a tripod in the city as it's too obvious and crowded most of the time. And subway shots are not allowed I have been told off and on (can't figure out which ones are and which ones aren't actually). That's why I've had to learn ways to steady my hand taking city shots that are bracketed or lower light ones in the subway! I like my wide angle as at 2.8 and fairly wide open, to 14mm or so, it's pretty forgiving.
@taffy I don't have steady hands so I do carry my tripod everywhere, it's very sturdy and heavy, but I doubt whether I would be able to use it at the train stations.
@elaine55 No wonder you photos are so tack sharp! When I travel, I do carry my tripod. But at home, I rarely do except when it's a photo shoot (e.g., at the lake, or sunsets, or river shots). I have a travel one that I'll bring with me to Australia, for example, and I sometimes just carry my gorilla-pod.
Taffy I don't use it with every shot and sometimes I leave it in the bag, when I went on the Canon Meet Up last week I never used it once because we didn't have time. I bought a gorilla-pod on Friday, which was 1/2 price, but I haven't used it yet because we are having such dreadful weather at the moment.
Love your subway shots. I live in the sticks and get to London a few times a year to visit my daughter, the underground stations aren't as interesting as your subway. Fav.
August 29th, 2014
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