Birmingham Pics

Planned a trip into Birmingham to take some pics aligned to those of Paul White. Tried to focus on specific details to create interesting shapes and colours. Tried unusual angles and perspectives 

Black And white

As the weather looked good and it appeared the light was going to be OK decided to plan a trip into Birmingham. Principally wanted to look for good opportunities to produce some pics in a similar vien to those produced by Stoller.
Liked this pic as the perspective is clear and the tonal range and shapes are varied. There are several pictures in this one. Could have taken lower and used an upward perspective to add interest.The person in the distance adds scale to the picture.

Used ISO 100 with f/13 and exposure at 1/25

Chatting to Steve this pm he suggested comparison to Ed Swindon and the artist M C Escher. 

These are all Ed Swindons pictures. Somewhat manufactured ! But end result is good. Irrelevant detail is blacked out to focus on the main point of the pic.

ISO 100 f/4.5 with shutter speed 1/125

Internal of St. Phillips Cathedral. Slightly darkened but only to increase the intensity of the window shadow on the wall. Liked the resulting shapes and tones. Even the perspective works well to draw the eye into the picture.

ISO 100 f/13 Shutter speed 1/20 th sec.

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

Ansells Sports Centre, Birm City Uni.

Taken with my 10-24 lens, f/18 and 1/80 sutter speed.

Realised we had no publicity material for this building which we finished last year. So on Wed ( a very bright and sunny day) armed with my camera, lenses and tripod I set off to take some publicity material.
Took several shots and liked this one. Fortunatly the sky was clear and the light was good. The perspective works and the kerb line draws the eye into the centre of the picture ie the main entrance. I think the shadows add to the depth and certainly exagerate the cantilever section towards the end of the building.Spoilt slightly by the drain pipes and lamp posts. Not the prettiest building in the world but I think the pic works.

Assignment Results

In the event managed to get out on Sunday but it was late. After the sun had gone. So rather than waste the opportunity took some pics of "street scenes" in the dark. Took the opportunity to use the "bulb" setting and capture some interesting scenes
Particularly liked the "glow" from the street lights as this gave the pics a very warm feel - even though it was freezing !!
Used the principle of single and double points of perspective with good composition

Did manage to use all the equipment set out in the plan (inc the high vis vest) 

Dam Street - ISO 100, f13 with 30 sec exposure

Bore Street - ISO 100, f14 with 15sec exposure

Note the red tail lights from a passing car.

Dam Street 2 - ISO 100, f9 with 20 sec exposure

Note the two point perspective.

New York Street

This pic taken from the back of the open top bus in New York. It demonstrates the principle of single point perspective. Difficult to take as the light was going. Should have altered the ISO setting to increase the shutter speed to stabilise the pic a bit more.
Nevertheless reasonable end result.

Initial homework assignment 23rd Sept 2009

Initial assignment to take a series of 5 pics using the M mode on the camera and using different settings and ISo`s. The pics were taken 3rd October, indoors as the weather was very inclemant



The first shot was taken with an ISO setting of 1600 as the indoor light was very low. The relatively high shutter speed allowed the moving plant outside to be frozen. The pic was taken at f/16 and 1.3 sec shutter.   

The second pic was taken with a vertical camera at ISO 800. The light was slightly better but still not brilliant. The resulting settings were f5.6 to get the sharp focus and shutter 1/5th sec.

The next pic has been slightly spoilt by cropping to square.The detail of the plant on the terrace has been lost. However the basic point of the pic is still there. It was taken into a mirror with my daughters hands in front. The point was to focus the garden and "soften" the hands. The f 9.0 setting allowed the garden to be in focus and the shutter is at 1/40. The ISO is 800 again.

I liked the setting for this pic. In an alcove with a down light. The light was good hence the ISO setting of 100. Again kept the F at 9 to keep the depth of field good. The resulting shutter was at 1.6

The final image again was taken at ISO 1600 as the area in the house was not well lit. Could have changed the ISO but would have slowed the shutter and made hand held impossible. (With a moving Model !!) Taken at f 4.0 and 1/20 th sec shutter to shorten the field. Image taken with the aid of a mirror.

Notes

1. Images saved as Jpeg rather than RAW - wrong - difficult to manipulate
2. Does RAW setting give the 300 dpi ??
3. Loss of qualtiy with ISO 1600. Better to use lower and accept shutter speed and use tripod.
4. Watch composition - when need to crop square. !!