A Break from winter and a few photos from a 'walk about' downtown

[JAS_Photo]

The red stairway gets a reshoot

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3323767109_5369e73dec_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3323767109/)

My blue fence is revisited

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3324607704_301b44e250_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3324607704/)

[JAS_Photo]

A street man with two amputations. His artificial legs were painted at the top with flames insignia.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/3323809379_9869e0da6b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3323809379/)

[jjeling]

Those stairs look a LOT better. Nice job on those. The fence looks a little too blue for me. It is one of those shots where I might try selective coloring. Selective coloring is often used too much, but when used in the right situations it can be really dramatic. You never know until you try. The homeless man is a timeless piece. Its unfortunate that there is a really bright spot next to his head. That is extremely distracting. You probably didnt have much time with him, but I think you could have done much better. Maybe try converting in to BW and see what happens.

[JAS_Photo]

Back Alley at The Camera Store

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3323862051_10e1e40ee6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3323862051/)

I think the lens flare is cool here. I took two photos and a truck came and parked in front of the door. And stayed there. No indication of 'hey gonna just be here a minute' he just looked away. I thought it was kind of rude, especially since the sign says NO PARKING.

[Mad Aussie]

For post 1 I'd like to have my own opinion but JJ has pretty much said my thoughts exactly.

I agree ... the lens flare works for me in the Camera Store shot. I'd probably crop the cement out or paint it black in PP.

[JAS_Photo]

Those stairs look a LOT better. Nice job on those. The fence looks a little too blue for me. It is one of those shots where I might try selective coloring. Selective coloring is often used too much, but when used in the right situations it can be really dramatic. You never know until you try. The homeless man is a timeless piece. Its unfortunate that there is a really bright spot next to his head. That is extremely distracting. You probably didnt have much time with him, but I think you could have done much better. Maybe try converting in to BW and see what happens.

I took just the one photo of the homeless man. The white sign was unfortunate. That blue fence is that blue but I might try the selective coloring thing. It's kind of an obsession, that fence. :)

[jjeling]

I can see why it would be an obsession. Colors are always an awesome thing to photograph. It isnt always clear how to compose them though. Maybe if you step back and then get closer with the lens. Make sure the fence completely fills the frame, and put one of the fence posts on one of the thirds. The color, texture and lines of the fence would make a picture full of color and texture. Its not always about what is around the obejct, keeping the object completely isolated works wonders.

[jjeling]

Hopefully this will give you an idea of what I was talking about in my previous post.

[JAS_Photo]

I think I have a bit stronger composition here. I will go back and do a straight on shot too. This composition was intended as an exercise in leading lines.
Also wanted to try out my new telephoto lens. ;) Thanks for your help, jj.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3324890536_c29cb3d8d3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3324890536/sizes/l/)

[jjeling]

haha. The leading lines are definitly there. There is a slight issue with this subject though. Leading lines are usually meant to LEAD to another subject. They are a way to use one subject to introduce another subject. Here, the subject is the fence. The fence is being used as a leading line, away from itself, so its displeasing/distracting etc. If you were to convert to black and white, it would be completely different. The fence would not have the same impact as the color does. Try that out as well just to make note of the differences. Glad I could help you out. They are good, keep them coming.

[Mad Aussie]

When you said this was stronger I immediately thought "no way" and scrolled my widdle fingers back up to look at the first fence shot. Then I wasn't so sure.

Looking closer I reckon the best composition might be similar to your last effort that cuts out some of the dead grass (try removing some before shooting) BUT ... shows more of the trainyard to the right of frame.

I think that would satisfy JJ's comment (which I agree with) about the leading lines going somewhere.

[kiley9806]

i recall this blue fence from an earlier post of yours raiven - and i really like the composition on this shot! love the added train coming towards the viewer...

[Michaelaw]

really diggin the street guy shot...All kinds of stories in that face, Well done!!!

[JAS_Photo]

One last composition that takes emphasis from the fence:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3324190047_5b8c22cb2e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3324190047/)

[Mad Aussie]

Yeh ... I'd like to see a combination of those last two fence shots ... the fence leading into the train coming through ... the blue leading to the red. I reckon that would be the one!

[jjeling]

Yeh ... I'd like to see a combination of those last two fence shots ... the fence leading into the train coming through ... the blue leading to the red. I reckon that would be the one!

:D I do reckon

[JAS_Photo]

This was the point at which I had to get off the tracks. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3324306421_432703b720_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jas_photos/3324306421/sizes/l/)

[Mad Aussie]

Love the heat shimmer. Now ... get that fence in THAT photo and we have a winner :)

[EJC]

Great Raiven! I agree with MA on the last shot. Still without the fence it's an interesting shot. I'm amazed you got so many clean engines in 1 place. Most of the ones I see are filthy!

BTW I was down there last Saturday for the last day of Exposure Shows but didn't see you.

Cheers
EJC

[tomorrowstreasures]

Raiven - i really, really like the very last shot of the Four!!! red trains!! very cool!