Photowalk 49: Feeling A Bit Better!

The original plan today was to go to Portsmouth to shoot some photographs, but although I felt better, by the time I got to Hardway I felt a little rough, so I backtracked along the coast into more familiar (and closer to home) territory.

Click here to download the Google Earth .kmz track with embedded photographs.

Skim Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F4.5, 1/640th, ISO 64, Focal Length 63mm, Hand-held

The light was grey, I had 2 lectures of Jeff Curtos "History of Photography" to get through on my Ipod, so it was eyes down to look for some captures!

Spy Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/420th, ISO 200, Focal Length 63mm, Hand-held

Most of my walk was pretty deserted, apart from the odd dog walker, until I got to the Fort and every pontoon was taken up by a Fisherman.

Hold Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/400th, ISO 64, Focal Length 63mm, Hand-held

There's something about this route - from Naval Buildings dating back to Henry VIII's time, along the coast, through the Industrial Estates, then around to Victorian Fort Brockhurst. I always find something new, a different angle, subject or composition. I'm lucky to live here.

Clamp Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/680th, ISO 64, Focal Length 20mm, Hand-held

Signs drew my eye today for some reason. Maybe it's the geometry, the pure shapes, or the simple story they tell. I made more of an effort to get "square" onto my subjects, in terms of right-angles and height, to avoid my usual "wonky" brick walls. Mostly.

Tempt Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/85th, ISO 200, Focal Length 28mm, Hand-held

I was shooting into the back of an Industrial Unit, and saw the door in the above shot. I tried to get my camera through the railings, but then realised that I liked the blur, like it was looking into a forbidden place.

Avoid Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/180th, ISO 200, Focal Length 20mm, Hand-held

This sign is below a block of flats - I felt a little uncomfortable shooting it - all the verandas were facing me, so I set up my camera facing the other way, then crouched and fired the shutter a couple of times. Job done!

Push Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/150th, ISO 200, Focal Length 19mm, Hand-held

Another extract from the back of the Industrial Estate.

Sink Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/220th, ISO 200, Focal Length 22mm, Hand-held

Ok, Ok, it's a dumb title, but I was on a "one word titles" trip again with this set, plus if you did park your car here, it'd be up to the wheel arches in water by high-tide...

Remember Taken With Fujifilm S5700, Aperture Priority, F3.5, 1/120th, ISO 200, Focal Length 12mm, Hand-held

I've no idea why this remembrance flower arrangement is nailed to this tree. The flowers have long gone, just leaving the oasis. Poignant.

Cheers, Rob.

Comments

[Antonio Marques]

Glad to know you're feeling better.

If I may make a suggestion, have you tried converting your first photo to b&w? My principle is that if color is not an important player of the image, remove it. My guess is that image of yours, if converted to b&w and tuned to a bit more high-key will become much more powerful.

[Rob_Nunn]

Good call Antonio, I'll give it a go!

Cheers, Rob.

[Antonio Marques]

And as I'm in a mood for suggestions (hope you don't mind), I find your image Avoid extremely good, but maybe you can try to mask the "Private" sign and try to bring some texture detail on it. The way it is, it becomes the central point where the eyes rest and degrades the impression that the lines should be making.

[Rob_Nunn]

Hi Antonio,

You're right, the sign is just too bright, looks like it's been pasted onto the photograph now I look at it!

I guess I'm a bit hasty with my post-processing, I tend to miss things out in the rush to get the "look" I want - layer mask needed!

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated, keep 'em coming!

Cheers, Rob.