Old City Hall

[JAS_Photo]

A couple of ideas I had to photograph Old City Hall but think I need a retake on both.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4906074663_36a2cf753d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/4906074663)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4906771262_11c04a070a_b.jpg ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/4906771262/)

[Mad Aussie]

Start by moving that big ugly crane out of the way ;)

[edG]

The tower crane and the umbrella/table are distracting to my eye. In the first shot I might have gone for the foreground elements blurred and the old city hall in sharp focus.

[JAS_Photo]

Lol, sadly you can not swing a cat without hitting a crane in Calgary. Not that I would swing a cat. But if I were to, I would hit a crane for sure. :headslap:

Ed, the umbrella and chairs were purposely in that photo. I just think I need to put more of the chairs in there. The one with the flowers was originally about the flowers more then the building but I will give the it a try with them defocused as well. :)

[Mad Aussie]

Maybe offset the table and chairs a little and put something on the table to give it more purpose being there.

My 1st thought on the 1st shot was the same as EdG ... focus on the building and let the flora become a coloured bokeh.

[edG]

reading MA's post got me to thinking - If you framed the umbrella pole picture right with the edge of the old city hall and the newer buildings, the umbrella canopy might hide the tower crane and the pole would mimick the strong vertical lines of the stonework in the old cityhall.

[Mad Aussie]

... the umbrella canopy might hide the tower crane and the pole would mimick the strong vertical lines of the stonework in the old cityhall.
That's REALLY good thinking!

[Matt K.]

Ed, the umbrella and chairs were purposely in that photo. I just think I need to put more of the chairs in there.

I'd put something on the table ... anything from having it blank. Ummm ... just realized I am repeating MA here ... :headslap: as far as the crane is concerned in image #1, just wait for it to swing out off the way .... to the East, then the problem is solved ...:D

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks guys! I actually went out today and tried the umbrella blocking the crane thing unaware that it had been suggested. However. Isn't there always one of those? It was so smokey out today from forest fires in B.C. that you could have cut it with a knife, so I may have to give it yet another try.

[JAS_Photo]

A different kind of processing to make up for the pale skies:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4908935777_d1e02cc7e1_b.jpg

[JAS_Photo]

Another of city hall with the flowers in front and defocused. Oh yeah I cloned out the crane as well. You can see from the above post that it is well after hours but some guys decided they were going to have a game of hackey sack on the plaza. :( There are always some sketchy people hanging out there.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4909878828_8d46e30bf5_b.jpg

[mbrager]

Interesting to watch the evolution of your shots. Your comments about the cranes make me laugh, and I am glad to see you just cloned it out. One day the city will be finished. But until then, gotta love what is already finished. Last shot is a gem showing the nice old sandstone building neatly framed by the flowers and stairs and statues. The people in the shot add to the atmosphere. Thanks for sharing. Mike

[Mad Aussie]

Looks better to me JAS :)

[Bambi]

this last one is my favourite. it's been fun to watch the series.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Mike, M.A. and Bambi! I like the third one myself. I like the fourth one but not the smokey sky. :( Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone!