Urban Walkabout

[Manta]

We were in Brisbane's inner suburbs today with a few hours to kill so I got out the camera and let it lead me around for a bit. All were taken with the kit lens in Manual mode. These are the first couple out of processing.

I'd love to hear what you think. Click on the image for the original size photo.

First one is an old house in West End that has seen better days.



Next is the obligatory cityscape panorama. I've tried panos before but this was really the first in which it's probably as good as it 's going to get. I tried to do everything right here: locked in exposure, white balance and ISO, used the tripod, pivoted around the lens and not the tripod mount, etc. I then blended the five shots in Photoshop, cropped and framed. I'd appreciate your critique/comments/advice.



This version is just for Mic, 'cos he likes to look at the world from a different perspective. Hope you like it Mic!

[Aussie Dave]

Hi Simon
I really like the tones you captured in the "Condemned" shot. The contrast, I find, really lifts the image and it helps convey the feeling of the picture. Nicely done !

I prefer the original pano over the 2nd one....just my personal preference. How many photos did it take to produce this shot ??

Looking forward to seeing more from your shoot today.

[the foto fanatic]

G'day Simon
I like both #1 and #2 - unfortunately I'm not a big fan of posterised images.
The first pic lends itself well to B&W.

[Manta]

Thanks for your comments Dave. I didn't like the house shot at first and despaired a bit about how I was going to portray it. In the end, a full desat, colourise and oversharpening for contrast ended up producing what I think is reasonbaly interesting image.

As far as the pano is concerned, it was five shots merged. I certainly prefer the first one too - the inverted version was purely a bit of fun, never really intended as a serious image.

I got some really diverse shots today and I hope to get around to processing and posting some more over the next few days.

Thanks also for your comments, Trevor - see my note above re the posterised shot!

[Manta]

The first pic lends itself well to B&W.

I shot this photo purely with that finish in mind, Trevor, as there was very little colour in the scene anyway. I played around for ages with various crops and filters before just going with something simple.

Glad you like it.

[mic]

Thats SICK Manta Thanks.

I really like it, though I will probably be the only one here thats going to support you on this one

Just have to wait till I get a Dedicated Warhaul Section put in here

That house, if it was in Richmond Victoria here would be worth around $600,000 Gorilla's.

Well done, Keep those Juices flowing.

Mic.

[Manta]

What makes you think it's not worth that up here Mic?!!!

Glad you liked the inversion.

[mic]

Now now Manta, settle, settle, Yes BrisVegas has shot up a fair bit in recent years, my apology there

You are not what you used to be up North there ( CainToads & Sugar Cain burning in the night )

Mic the Mexican

[Manta]

No offence taken 'Pablo'. We're quite happy to pay half a million for something you guys pay twice that for... Plus we get the fabulous weather thrown in for free.

1000 southerners crossing the border every week can't be wrong.

[kipper]

Mic, weren't you in Sydney before?

[sirhc55]

Simon - most certainly both #1 and #2. #1 is beautifully done and the process you have used lends itself to the run down look of the building.

[Manta]

I'm pleased you like "Condemned" Chris. It was just too good a subject to let pass and I really hope I've done it some justice. I thought about cloning out the graffiti but thought that it added to the way society had written off this old house and just saw it as insignificant.

[Killakoala]

'Condemned' is an excllent pic Manta. The colours and texture, the angle you shot it at and the nice tight crop all add to the run-down attitude of the building. I hope no one was living in it.

[Manta]

'Condemned' is an excllent pic Manta. The colours and texture, the angle you shot it at and the nice tight crop all add to the run-down attitude of the building. I hope no one was living in it.

Hey, thanks Steve.

I did cross over a broken down fence to get close to it and I listened very carefully before making any moves. I hazard to guess that any occupants would have been quite impressed with all my gear and I doubt I would have come home intact!