Philadelphia City Hall at Night

[Ellisr]

http://ellisr.smugmug.com/photos/37575334-L.jpg

Here's a photo I took outside City Hall at night. During a ten-second exposure, a bus drove by, which I thought would ruin the shot...

Thoughts?

[ktb53]

I think it looks really cool. I think the only thing that you might want to consider fixing is making the main steeple (sp?) perfectly straight as it's the central focus point and right now it's kinda leaning to the right. I love the coloring and everything. Looks just a tinge blown out but kinda like that effect.

[Andy]

this is a tough scene - the buildings are brightly lit, so due to the long exposure, they're blown out. this could work, as is, with a b&w maybe that you exaggerate it with. now for a color shot, maybe taking a couple of exposures and blending them in post processing would be the ticket - one for the building and one for the rest.

i dig the light trails of the bus!

:wave welcome to dgrin

[fraincs]

great compo, i'd like to see it with more contrast though

[Andy]

the black and white idea gave me an idea and i've tried to oppose modernity with the old building
fraincs, we appreciate your effort here, but you should request the poster's permission to create a new thread with your ideas in the photoshop forum here on dgrin.

the whipping post is for whippin' only, thanks (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=13428).

[fraincs]

oopsie really sorry

[DavidTO]

oopsie really sorry


fraincs,

Feel free to edit your post, delete the image and post it in another thread (with permission from Elissr, of course).

[snookman23]

Ellisr,
I like the shot. I agree with Andy about the blown highlights and b&w vs. color.

I like the composition, though I think the buildings need to be straightened. Did you consider moving further east to get the PSFS building in the shot?

In case any of you don't know, Ellisr had to face many dangers while taking this shot. 1. Septa busses have been known to run people over, even on sidewalks. I myself have a fear of being morbidly decapitated by a Septa bus mirror while walking on the sidewalk. 2. City councilmen, about to be indicted by a federal grand jury, have been known to attempt jumping from the clocktower. This could be harmful to the councilman and the person innocently setting up their tripod in the City Hall courtyard. 3. Being beat up by one of Mayor John Street's henchmen. 4. Being run over by a skateboarder missing a varial kickflip over a park bench in Love park. I digress

[Cantfeelmyfingers]

As we all know the colour is off because of the length of exposure.. But honestly I love the effect it has.. It's vibrant and alive with that much colour and activity. I especially love the contrast of the building and the sky.. It has such an attitude to it. Jamie.