The chemical industry

[MattUK]

I often find that the camera never quite captures the mood accurately, possibly due to the fact that cameras can't capture as high a dynamic range as humans can... as such, I often find that increasing the contrast and heightening the moodiness brings out some of the original feeling that caused me to take the shot in the first place.

But bear in mind that my comments are only ever suggestions, and at the end of the day, if you like the shots as they are, that's perfectly fine

[pburness]

Hi Karen,
I know this location well. From a chemical engineers point of view it's a fascinating landscape (particularly at night) - but very difficult to capture well. The B&W is the best shot for me, the others seem two dimensional (and I read about the colour / shape and tone above). Going in closer and isolating sections may have helped isolate some of the shapes and tones, but I appreciate how difficult that may be from where you are shooting.

Phil

[karenoliver]

Thanks for the comments and feedback, its really helpful. Maybe I need to evaluate the post-processing I do. I just changed two and added more contrast etc...

HDR



Added contrast and structure, converted to black and white



What does everyone think?

Karen

[MattUK]

Both of them are awesome

[pburness]

The b&w stands out more for me, it increases the impact of the scene for some reason.

Also, I think in the colour shot the 'orange' in the grasses and tree's make it subconsciously un-natural (my brain is telling me they should be straw, brown or green )

Phil

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by MattUK

Both of them are awesome

Thanks, Matt but I am not that happy with them yet lol I am wondering now whether they should have been shot in film instead and developed in the darkroom. Take a look at these shots, they are the most amazing industrial photographers of all time. Interesting that they never went for dramatic sky and always used a washed out one. But I think they got more contrast and drama in their shots by using film.

http://www.photography-now.net/bernd...ortfolio1.html


Karen

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by pburness

The b&w stands out more for me, it increases the impact of the scene for some reason.

Also, I think in the colour shot the 'orange' in the grasses and tree's make it subconsciously un-natural (my brain is telling me they should be straw, brown or green )

Phil

I know but it was a rusty colour for real. We shot them right by the water and its not so much grass as this really rough plant life - almost like reeds but not quite. I think the HDR did intensiify the shade though :-)

Karen

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

No, agree with Karen. Love the colour photos as they are full of colours and shapes. A blue sky would have been great but doesn't distract from the subject.

Not too keen on the B&W image.

Thanks oldboy :-)

I am going to reshoot it in film though I think :-)

Karen

[karenoliver]

Thanks for the feedback Dan and Marulous :-)

Karen

[pburness]

Originally Posted by karenoliver

Thanks, Matt but I am not that happy with them yet lol I am wondering now whether they should have been shot in film instead and developed in the darkroom. Take a look at these shots, they are the most amazing industrial photographers of all time. Interesting that they never went for dramatic sky and always used a washed out one. But I think they got more contrast and drama in their shots by using film.

http://www.photography-now.net/bernd...ortfolio1.html


Karen

One thing I have noticed about B&H work is that they always used the K.I.S.S. approach, where they have isolated their subject and forced it to be the focal point by presence, rather than composition, form or tone - they have then used the isolation to beg the questions - "what is that?, what does it do?, where do those pipes go?" etc. They also seemed to 'record' lifeless pictures, as though recording for archival purposes as opposed to industrial landscape as an art genre or documentry value (effect on the community, environment, wildlife etc.)

The quality of the images goes without saying and I guess they probably used a plate camera with full T&S for perspective correction.

I like that GalleryBook website though - I'd not seen it before!

Phil