Metro Station Exploration

[nixarma]

The first few photographs of what will hopefully turn into a small collection not exclusively but mostly emphasizing isolation in metro stations.

All these photographs were shot using the Contax G2 and the Biogon 28mm lens. I used Neopan 400 (developed at a local lab in TMAX)

I'm looking for comments and critique of the work so far... what works, what doesn't, what I could do better, film choices (type/speed/etc)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Thanks for looking! I look forward to your comments.

Nikhil

 

[kuvvy]

A nice set of shots. They go together very well and I think the idea behind the shots will make a very interesting project for you. To be honest I think your choice of film is fine and the shots are well executed. My faves, for no other reason than I like them are numbers 1 & 5.
Sorry I can't offer more of a critique but there are many more experienced photogs here who may have something more constructive to say but i would be pleased if theses shots were mine.

 

[shadowfox]

Nikhil, good set!

1. This shot is amazing in terms of describing expansiveness and somber loneliness, for the theme, it does very well

2. Not enough excitement or engagement even with a person in it (very common problem of my own pictures)

3. Lack of definite subject (also one of my common problems)

4. I like it a lot, good composition of lines and points of interest

5. I think is the best of the set, the blank expression of the lady is contrasted with the fast moving subway

Thanks for sharing.

 

[nixarma]

A nice set of shots. They go together very well and I think the idea behind the shots will make a very interesting project for you. To be honest I think your choice of film is fine and the shots are well executed. My faves, for no other reason than I like them are numbers 1 & 5.
Sorry I can't offer more of a critique but there are many more experienced photogs here who may have something more constructive to say but i would be pleased if theses shots were mine.

Thank you! I certainly think that this might be an interesting project as well... I just need to set aside the time to make it happen

Nikhil

 

[nixarma]

Nikhil, good set!

1. This shot is amazing in terms of describing expansiveness and somber loneliness, for the theme, it does very well

2. Not enough excitement or engagement even with a person in it (very common problem of my own pictures)

3. Lack of definite subject (also one of my common problems)

4. I like it a lot, good composition of lines and points of interest

5. I think is the best of the set, the blank expression of the lady is contrasted with the fast moving subway

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Shadowfox!

With 2, I was going for shadowplay. I took several photographs of the same area... some shots had more than one person in them, but I finally decided that I liked this one better than the others. However, this isn't exactly what I had pre-visualized and I can do better.

In 3, I wanted to convey a sense of depth using the lines of the escalator and the lines from the intermediate level where you see the two people walking. That escalator is pretty long and goes down the equivalent of perhaps three or four floors. And even on a busy week day it is not uncommon to see just a handful of people riding the escalators.

Thanks a lot for your comments. I will go back next week and attempt a few different compositions.

Nikhil

 

[rich815]

I like them overall but with that film you should not be getting such grainy results nor such blown highlights. Looks like they over-cooked the negs.

 

[nixarma]

Hi Rich,

He's processing the negatives for 6 minutes at 20C. I'm going to either have my next roll of Neopan 400 processed at another lab or ask him to reduce the development time by a small amount.

I exaggerated some of the blown highlights in Photoshop when I adjusted the levels and contrast curves a bit... for eg. in 2, 3 and 4. In 3 and 4 I was aiming for a sterile, surgical look.

Thanks for your comments,
Nikhil

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Number 3 induces vertigo-like symptoms in me... Or as if I was just about to trip over and roll down those escalator steps... Ouch!

Well done!

 

[MartinL]

1. Small figure amplifies the outstanding depth effect. I've been paying lots of attention to contrast / noise, and this photo, with the terrazzo floor, mimics the 400 film, sets my teeth on edge. In a good way.

2. A nice shot in its own right, but less remarkable than #1 and 3. So, as a collection or set, I'd delete.

3. This is a shot I appreciate, but the blown highlights speak to me of the photographer's art and/or the equipment's limitations, and not of the scene as I might see it. (Can you tell I've got some issues that may not relate entirely to your pic?)

4. Again, here's a totally personal response to a whole category of photography: Pictures of art seem redundant unless I can find an added value.

5. My favorite. I love the figure inside the train window. The light throughout is just right.
Martin

 

[nixarma]

Number 3 induces vertigo-like symptoms in me... Or as if I was just about to trip over and roll down those escalator steps... Ouch!

Well done!

Then I've succeeded in my objective! Thanks for your comments, Posti-Tuomo!

Nikhil

 

[nixarma]

Thank you very much for your detailed comments, Martin!

1. Small figure amplifies the outstanding depth effect. I've been paying lots of attention to contrast / noise, and this photo, with the terrazzo floor, mimics the 400 film, sets my teeth on edge. In a good way.

That's good to hear! This particular station has a more interesting street access than the others that I have seen in the system. One would think that it has been designed by a first-person shooter game enthusiast.

2. A nice shot in its own right, but less remarkable than #1 and 3. So, as a collection or set, I'd delete.

I agree with you. I really liked the shadowplay and the strong contrasts that I was seeing in person, but none of the photographs I took there captured (or did better than) what I had pre-visualized. I'll try again the next time I'm there.

3. This is a shot I appreciate, but the blown highlights speak to me of the photographer's art and/or the equipment's limitations, and not of the scene as I might see it. (Can you tell I've got some issues that may not relate entirely to your pic?)

All these photographs have been post-processed in Photoshop... usually just a contrast and levels tweak. In the case of this photograph, I added a bit of a "glow", and this resulted in the (over)blown highlights. I wanted to give the scene a bit of a sci-fi look. The reactions that I've got to this photograph have been sharply divided... some people like the look as it is and some people strongly feel that it detracts from the photograph. I'm going to try a couple of different variations and see which one I like best.

5. My favorite. I love the figure inside the train window. The light throughout is just right.

Thank you! The figure inside was something that I had obviously not planned on and was a nice bonus

Nikhil

 

[iml]

#1 is excellent. I think it would be even more excellent without the lone figure in the distance, and I speak as someone who often puts lone figures in the distance in his own pictures (I'm trying to train myself out of it, I've decided it's often a too easy artifice)

Ian

 

[MartinL]

All these photographs have been post-processed in Photoshop... usually just a contrast and levels tweak.
Nikhil

What version? CS3 is a big leap forward for for mining RAW data you might not expect was there (and makes it possible to skip some of the stronger, less subtle adjustments like levels or contrast.) If you're not using CS3, you might want to revisit this photo with a trial download. I think the Fill and Recovery sliders might give you some of what you can use for this pic.
Martin

 

[MartinL]

#1 is excellent. I think it would be even more excellent without the lone figure in the distance, and I speak as someone who often puts lone figures in the distance in his own pictures (I'm trying to train myself out of it, I've decided it's often a too easy artifice)
Ian

Ah, the paradox. IMO, artifice can work if it doesn't call attention to itself as cliche. Even cliche can succeed if executed exceptionally well or if it's MY two grandkids holding hands. In this photo, the figure is barely discernable and balances the neon light in an otherwise right-leaning composition. But now my talk is more artifice than the photo could ever be. I find the photo satisfying.
Martin

 

[David Murphy]

I love those shots -- evoke emotion

 

[ijohnnyz]

#2 is AMAZING. Clearly painted with light. :angel:

I also live in Orange County. In fact, I attend Golden West College in (your hometown) Huntington Beach. What I'm mustering to ask is... where did you take these pictures? I'm not familiar with any "Metro Station" as such you have captured. Anywhere within county limits?

~Johnny

 

[Dfin]

How did you not get busted for being a terrorist? Taking photos in a public place, a railway station no less!! Only half joking. Of the photos, I like 2 the best, it reminds me of that photo of the 4 men on top of a building in Brazil, slightly sinister. I like the graininess, the isolated figures, the spectral highlights, the ghostly figure in the window. It is very film noir, very Alphaville, keep at it. All the best, Alan.

 

[nixarma]

#1 is excellent. I think it would be even more excellent without the lone figure in the distance, and I speak as someone who often puts lone figures in the distance in his own pictures (I'm trying to train myself out of it, I've decided it's often a too easy artifice)

Ian

That is an interesting perspective, Ian, and I shall keep it in mind in the future. "The lone figure in the distance" is a bit of a cliche and it would certainly be a worthy exercise to convey a sense of scale and dimension by other means.

In the series of shots that led to this photograph, I was attempting to capture a person about to disappear into that concrete vault.

Thanks for your comments!
Nikhil

 

[nixarma]

What version? CS3 is a big leap forward for for mining RAW data you might not expect was there (and makes it possible to skip some of the stronger, less subtle adjustments like levels or contrast.) If you're not using CS3, you might want to revisit this photo with a trial download. I think the Fill and Recovery sliders might give you some of what you can use for this pic.
Martin

Hi Martin,

I'm currently using Photoshop CS2. I've read about the advantages of CS3 and am considering "upgrading" to CS3 and Lightroom when I build my next computer (I'm currently using one that I built in Feb '02, haha.)

I was a bit heavy-handed in my treatment of this photograph and I was going for a cold, sleek look. The original scan of the negative is a lot more gritty and I should be able to come up with a good alternative treatment even with the tools I have at my disposal.

Nikhil

 

[nixarma]

I love those shots -- evoke emotion

Thanks, David... that's great to hear!

Nikhil