Birmingham Buildings

On a bright morning this week, I decide to drive into Birmingham early for an appointment and take the opportunity to take a few building shots.

Being mindful of the tips and pointers I have picked up from my "research", I tried to incorpoate as much as possible or at the very least think about the set up before taking the shots.

• Use of light
• Perspective - either single or double
• Focal point clearly defined
• Shapes and colour
• Composition and frames
• Reflections

The first two pics are are the new road bridge over the M42 at Solihull. In both the perspective is good and the colours are well defined. Liked the shapes and composition of both. Used the shade on the footpath in the first and the central white line on the second to lead the eye into the shot. The symmetry of the second works well as does the square format pic.

10-24mm lens, ISO 100, F/18, 1/40th Sec

 

10-24mm Lens, ISO 100, F/13, 1/80th sec

 The next shot is the BT tower. Tried to get a different perspective with this and use the recess and purple detail to lead into the shot. The focal point is approx 1/3rd up the tower but the small apperture gives the focus all the way to the top. Possibly could have changed the orientation to read bottom left to top right. The bright white tower has "darkened" the sky to good effect.

18-55mm lens, ISO 100, F/22, 1/60th sec

Saint Paul`s Church spire. Tried to centralise and frame the focal point with the overhanging trees. Like the contrast between light and dark shades on the spire due to the sun light.

18-55mm lens, ISO 100, F/22, 1/25th sec

Interesting shot. Taken of the mirrored facade on Gt Charles Street reflecting the footbridge and the building behind. Possibly could have got people in the shot to bring it to life. The grid gives the shot depth and symmetry. Also the shaded footbridge contrasts with the bright building behind.

75-300mm lens, ISO 100, F/6.3, 1/80th sec

Cornwall Street. Recent building again tried to change the perspective to provide interest and use the reflections of the adjacent buildings and the clouds. The colours and shades are very bold.

10-24mm lens, ISO 100, F/13, 1/60th Sec

Rutland House. Again tried to use the reflectionsto create depth to the shot. The building  face was in shadow hence the greatly contrasting shades.

10-24mm lens, ISO 100, F/13, 1/30th Sec

Frosty Morning

Decided to arrive early for a meeting in Warwick on Monday. I knew the office I was to visit was surrounded by landscaped gardens and having seen that it was going to be a clear, cold and frosty morning thought it would be a good photo opportunity. I was not disappointed. Took several pics of the frosty scene but liked these the best. All the pics were taken with my 75-300 lens as I knew I needed the large apperture to focus on the detail and reduce the depth of field. Could have used a macro lens but I do not have one !!

The light was good so did not need the tripod, shutter speed was good enough for hand held. High Viz jacket worn at all times to be well seen

Particularly liked the contrast on this pic, from the dark tones in the leaf shadows to the bright white of the frost in the sunlight. The red berries add depth, and the perspective adds interesting shapes.

ISO 100 with f/5.6 and shutter speed at 1/30th.

The next pic again shows the contrast of the colours in sunlight and shadows behind the leaves. The depth is good from the icy foliage in the forground to the reflected sun in the window of the building to the rear. Liked the way the sun is reflected off the frost particles on the leaves.

ISO 100 with f/5.6 and shutter speed at 1/60th

These chaps appeared in the shade of a frosty bush. Like the symmetry, composition and the contrasting colours. Interesting shapes and patterns formed with the leaves and particularly the moisture drops on the petals.

 

ISO 100 with f/5.6 and shutter speed 1/80th.

Themes Re defined

Stick to the original plan:

Theme 1 - Architectural Photography
Theme 2 - Nature and Wildlife

Forget Landscapes !!!