Challenge: Steps and Shadows: fun or sassy, architectural to pastoral [Archive]

Asher Kelman

March 4th, 2010, 10:59 AM

We seem to be fascinated by stairs and shadows. So why not look at this together and see what pictures we can come up with together!

http://openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Asher_Kelman_2007/2010LA NY 5D238STEPS and Shadow _1.jpg

Asher Kelman: Steps and Shadows New York 2010

Now's your turn!

Asher

Rachel Foster

March 4th, 2010, 01:24 PM

I've been shooting shadows today, but not steps.

Ruben Alfu

March 4th, 2010, 01:45 PM

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q232/doubletrack/20080505-_MG_2754_nyc.jpg

Ruben Alfu : Sidewalk

Cem_Usakligil

March 4th, 2010, 04:07 PM

Hi Asher,

We seem to be fascinated by stairs and shadows. So why not look at this together and see what pictures we can come up with together!
A very nice theme, thanks for coming up with this one. The idea of escalator picture like yours is one with potential, I hope you will show some more in the future.

I have two immediate pictures to show on this: the first one I have shown a few years back, but then it was in color. This one is in B&W and looks better this way IMO. The second one is a new post processing of a never shown before picture, but I should add that Bart has shown (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9062http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9062) almost the same picture since we were out together for that shoot.

http://cem.usakligil.com/img/f/o/e09762.jpg

http://cem.usakligil.com/img/f/o/f07172.jpg

Cheers,

Cem_Usakligil

March 4th, 2010, 04:09 PM

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q232/doubletrack/20080505-_MG_2754_nyc.jpg

Ruben Alfu : Sidewalk

A very nice and intriguing picture Ruben!

Cheers,

Asher Kelman

March 4th, 2010, 04:30 PM

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q232/doubletrack/20080505-_MG_2754_nyc.jpg

Ruben Alfu : Sidewalk

Ruben,

I figured correctly then! This is a great start and I like the drama and the extra lines as well as the clarity in the pant leg and shoe.

Thanks for sharing!

Asher

Asher Kelman

March 4th, 2010, 04:35 PM

http://cem.usakligil.com/img/f/o/e09762.jpg

Cem this first one, I have a faint echo in my mind of a picture like this before, but as you mentioned it was in color. This seems new. The revelation of the people above is interesting.

http://cem.usakligil.com/img/f/o/f07172.jpg

This picture, however is seared in my mind. Were the colors this saturated? It could be that fashon for home decorating has changed. I remember when you and Bart visited this village and I felt that I sort of missed out! Maybe when we visit, all of us can go and reshoot in that vicinity! It would be interesting to try in B&W too. Then the colors would be all tones and we might see something dfferent.

Asher

Ruben Alfu

March 4th, 2010, 05:04 PM

Thanks Asher and Cem, great subject! Sorry for my wrong interpretation of "step" :-)

Wendy Thurman

March 4th, 2010, 06:35 PM

Cem-

PM'd you about Doel.

Wendy

Cem_Usakligil

March 4th, 2010, 10:10 PM

Hi Asher,

...This picture, however is seared in my mind. Were the colors this saturated? It could be that fashon for home decorating has changed. ....
The credit goes to Bart for leaving such a searing impression with his picture of this scene. Mine is the same subject but the pp is of course different. Colors were very saturated in reality but Bart's picture (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9062) had a very nice tonality to it whereas I had the objective of making it dramatic, contrasty and saturated.

...I remember when you and Bart visited this village and I felt that I sort of missed out! Maybe when we visit, all of us can go and reshoot in that vicinity! It would be interesting to try in B&W too. Then the colors would be all tones and we might see something dfferent.
Asher we would be delighted to have you here as you already know. Unfortunately, the village of Doel (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9062) has now been partially demolished, some of the houses are gone forever and some others have been locked down. There is still some left but it is a matter of time now. And the few remaining natives can be a bit hostile towards photographers as Bart and I have found out the last time.

Cheers,

Cedric MASSOULIER

March 5th, 2010, 01:31 AM

Asher Kelman

March 5th, 2010, 02:08 AM

Hi,

I think steps and stairways are great subjects in photography (and art in general) because they easily evoke something to the viewer : a way to access someting different (another level of conscience maybe ?), a way to mystery and unknown, an elevation, an effort to make to climb it, etc... They have great graphical value too.

Cedric.

Cedric,

As always you think of social aspects. I'm sure you have taken pictures with steps and shadows, but I wonder what questions you asked in the pictures.

Je suis sûr que vous avez déjà photographié des escaliers ou des marches avec les ombres. Je suis intéressé par ce que l'histoire de votre images racontaient.

Asher

Tom Robbins

March 5th, 2010, 03:03 AM

Tom Robbins

March 5th, 2010, 03:06 AM

Another variation on the theme, again outdoors, this time descending -

http://www.pbase.com/salty_one/image/119749381.jpg

janet Smith

March 5th, 2010, 03:42 AM

http://www.pbase.com/salty_one/image/107500816.jpg

Hi Tom

This works so well, the juxtaposition of the hard lines of the stairs, with the softness of the foliage and mist, wonderful, I love it!

Cem_Usakligil

March 5th, 2010, 03:47 AM

http://www.pbase.com/salty_one/image/107500816.jpg

Hi Tom

This works so well, the juxtaposition of the hard lines of the stairs, with the softness of the foliage and mist, wonderful, I love it!
Agreed! A great picture Tom. PS: You could have shown it also in the misty winter morning (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11249) thread ;-)

Cheers,

Cedric MASSOULIER

March 5th, 2010, 05:17 AM

Cedric,

As always you think of social aspects. I'm sure you have taken pictures with steps and shadows, but I wonder what questions you asked in the pictures.

Je suis sûr que vous avez déjà photographié des escaliers ou des marches avec les ombres. Je suis intéressé par ce que l'histoire de votre images racontaient.

Asher

Well, i have plenty of pictures with steps and shadows at home, i will search some of them ;)

This is a little one, essentially shot for graphical aspect with b&w film :

http://upandpost.com/image/full/4/cfa84942f215d0cfd9c2d400169cca1.jpg

Graham Harris

March 5th, 2010, 06:09 AM

When I was out recently I took a similar spiral staircase to Tim, albeit from the bottom up. Also I was lucky someone decided to descend as I was photographing the stairs. Converted to monochrome with silver efex.

Comments welcome

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3/juliegraham/stairs-and-shaddow.jpg

Graham

Asher Kelman

March 5th, 2010, 09:01 AM

Some great thoughts and photos of steps here. The marble staircase is arresting, Cem.

Steps are similar to waterfalls as metaphor and photographic subject. As such, both seem to be depicted as ascending more often than not, and this may underscore Cedric's observation.

http://www.pbase.com/salty_one/image/107500816.jpg

An outdoor rural version. The heavy winter fog didn't allow shadows, but there it is.

Tom,

This s so different as the mist makes for a novel paradigm. This our first image including this powerful element. It provides the idea of the unknown, but not as ominous as using darkness. I'd consider a gradient of sharpening and S curve to the rails so that the nearest part would be clearly defined. This will add depth and immediacy. The two vertical rails at the sides could be brilliantly sharp. For this I'd try using a sharpening at something like 12-15 percent and 18 to 36 pixels wide.

Asher

Tom Robbins

March 5th, 2010, 01:48 PM

All, thank you for your kind comments.

Graham, that human shadow adds an interesting element!

Cedric, your image made me think of Modotti's Staircase.

Asher, you're absolutely on the money, as usual. The foggy steps shot was from about a year ago, and my approach to sharpening has evolved some since then. I should rework some of the older images, but after losing that microsecond recently, the days are way too short.

Mike Shimwell

March 5th, 2010, 02:08 PM

Some nice pictures here - Graham, I like the spiral with shadow particularly.

Cedric, as you say the stairs metaphor links in to the path! Perhaps the stairs are at the end of the road...

Anyway, this is a repost and I'll have a look to see I've shot any stairs more recently.

Mike

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4119641159_7f7aa24549_o.jpg

Cedric MASSOULIER

March 6th, 2010, 05:38 AM

Hi,

I have found this one to represent graphical values of stairs and shadwos (and colors) :

http://upandpost.com/image/full/a/ae678774db658d16c915caa76e5fb22.jpg

Cem_Usakligil

March 6th, 2010, 05:44 AM

Hi,

I have found this one to represent graphical values of stairs and shadwos (and colors) :

http://upandpost.com/image/full/a/ae678774db658d16c915caa76e5fb22.jpg

Very interesting Cedric. This guy looks like as if he is floating down above the stairs. And the shadows following the arches of the steps are perfect, well caught :-)

Cheers,

Ossi Raimi

March 6th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Maybe a little bit different one?

Two different worlds

http://raimios.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Fishies/Down+to+undergroung%2C+Hakaniemi+2009.jpg/_medium.jpg

Asher Kelman

March 6th, 2010, 03:15 PM

Maybe a little bit different one?

http://raimios.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Fishies/Down+to+undergroung%2C+Hakaniemi+2009.jpg/_medium.jpg

Ossi Rami: Two different Worlds

Hi Ossi,

If one is going to go for the underground world then go with gusto and try to reach the nth in effect. Danté didn't hold back and neither should you!

http://openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Ossi_Rami/Down to undergroung, Hakaniemi 2009_AK copy.jpg

Ossi Rami: Two different Worlds Edits ADK

Ossi Raimi

March 7th, 2010, 12:44 AM

Hmmm... now it's totally two different worlds, maybe I must think reprocess that picture.
Thanks!

Ruben Alfu

March 9th, 2010, 01:20 PM

Asher Kelman

March 9th, 2010, 01:42 PM

Last Sunday I went to do some photos for this challenge and came up with these two that I find interesting.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q232/doubletrack/20100307-_MG_0033.jpg

Ruben Alfu : Mars

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q232/doubletrack/20100307-_MG_0041-2-1.jpg

Ruben Alfu : Venus

Ruben,

You did so well! The first is dramatic the second so deliberately and fashionably modern. This Venus is a long way from the Isles of Greece and the statues of rome. That pointed shoe has purpose and power that only the modern women can demand freely. Just the portion we see says volumes.

Asher

Cem_Usakligil

March 9th, 2010, 02:02 PM

Hi Ruben,

I have seen and understand the Venus part but where are the men from Mars in the 1st image? ;-) I had to acclimate to the 1st image TBH. The vertical band in the middle is too overpowering and almost washed out without details. Graphically, it is a very interesting image though. The 2nd image is a real gem, immediately captivating! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Ruben Alfu

March 9th, 2010, 07:07 PM

Ruben,

This Venus is a long way from the Isles of Greece and the statues of rome. That pointed shoe has purpose and power that only the modern women can demand freely.

Asher

I drink to that Asher, and thanks for the kind words!

Hi Ruben,

I have seen and understand the Venus part but where are the men from Mars in the 1st image?

It´s a new revelation in couples therapy LOL!

I had to acclimate to the 1st image TBH. The vertical band in the middle is too overpowering and almost washed out without details. Graphically, it is a very interesting image though. The 2nd image is a real gem, immediately captivating! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Thanks so much for commenting Cem, I agree No1 is a little extreme.

Phil Marion

March 11th, 2010, 10:43 AM

interior of The National Art Museum - Mexico City

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4040238647_4d7024ba36_o.jpg

Asher Kelman

August 20th, 2010, 10:53 PM

Deserves a bump!

Charles L Webster

August 21st, 2010, 10:58 AM

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/11470993-lg.jpg

Steps and Shadows

Canon 50D EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, 1/500 @ f/10 ISO 200

Asher Kelman

August 21st, 2010, 08:37 PM

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/11470993-lg.jpg

Steps and Shadows

Canon 50D EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, 1/500 @ f/10 ISO 200

This, Charles, is a remarkable architectural and attractive image. The sharp, dark zigzag shadows in the light sand colored steps seem to argue with each other yet are in some energetic harmony. The one cross linking shadow on the lower step helps to firm up the composition. Many of us might have cloned that out and that would have been a simplistic mistake.

Asher

Charles L Webster

August 21st, 2010, 09:18 PM

Asher, thanks for your insightful comment.

I saw the conflict (your "argument") and found the resolution in the cross shadow. I didn't think of removing it. Hmmm

Michael Nagel

February 27th, 2011, 02:30 PM

Stairs are always fascinating...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3827959284_74b28fd156_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leclou/3827959284/)
Way up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leclou/3827959284/) - click on photo for larger version

Best regards,
Michael

Sandrine Bascouert

February 27th, 2011, 04:06 PM

My try
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac115/4personnen/Albi3-052003.jpg
Cathédrale Sainte cécile, Albi, France

Asher Kelman

February 27th, 2011, 05:52 PM

Stairs are always fascinating...Best regards,
Michael

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3827959284_74b28fd156_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leclou/3827959284/)
Way up (http://www.flickr.com/photos/leclou/3827959284/) - click on photo for larger version

Michael,

I wondered how the image might look with redistribution of tonalities, as if we printed it on different papers in the darkroom. I hope it's O.K. that I offer this alternate but ambitious presentation with some reservations, as it's just with the published jpg and not the original file and can't really express the full potential of the picture.

http://openphotographyforums.com/2007_OPF_AK/Michael_Nagel/Stairs_ak.jpg

Michel Nagel: Stairs

Edited for tonalities AK

I hope this still is within bounds of your intent! There's no longer the impression of blasting overhead light, washing everything away, but that could have been your careful plan and perfect execution and then i'm totally on the wrong track!

Asher

Asher Kelman

February 28th, 2011, 08:40 AM

My try

http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac115/4personnen/Albi3-052003.jpg
Cathédrale Sainte cécile, Albi, France

I hadn't realized the formation of the steps at first. This is so delicate and the colors are wonderful. quite a surprise and very French!

Asher

Sandrine Bascouert

February 28th, 2011, 08:50 AM

I'm blushing, thank you very much!

Michael Nagel

February 28th, 2011, 11:44 AM

Sandrine - I like the subtlety of your approach.

Asher - it is funny, but I had the same thought while posting. I think that I was still under impression of the bright light when I did the post processing that day, so this version did not come to my mind.
I was aiming for the geometry and the surface of the front part of the steps that day.

Best regards,
Michael

Mark Hampton

February 28th, 2011, 01:27 PM

My try
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac115/4personnen/Albi3-052003.jpg
Cathédrale Sainte cécile, Albi, France

Sandrine,

this uses colour ! - strange that I like it... it must be the muted tones... well made...

cheers