Under the Bridge

taken in Shrewsbury a few months ago and processed via newly acquired Lightroom 3, seems very powerful, Sigma 10-20 is very wide but I have struggled with the barrel distortion

comments welcomed, thanks in advance

I don't see much evidence of barrel distortion in these. Have you done anything to remove it, because the lines look quite straight?

The verticals seem to diverge a little towards the top of the pictures, but that's not barrel distortion. This is barrel distortion.

The Sigma 10-20 that I have (the EX DC, F4.5-5.6) does show marked barrelling at 10mm, but it's all gone by 12mm.

I applied filter in LR. The distortion I am unhappy with is shown in the horizontal beam in the last image- it kind of warps to the top left of the frame, the rivets dont look parallel to the ground.

Ok, I see what you mean. It' doesn't look like barreling to me.

Any chance of seeing the unedited full frame?

In each picture you have shown some pleasing converging lines, suggesting the point of the pictures was to concentrate attention on the patterns these formed.

However, in each case there is quite a lot else going on, for instance the vertical white pillars in picture 1, and these weaken the impact. One is left wondering what you are trying to convey.

I think you need to separate the geometrical ironwork from the mouldy brickwork, and photograph one or the other. You need to be very clear what the subject, or point, of the picture is.

And of course, the dull light doesn't help.

But it's an interesting spot. If you are in Shrewsbury again, and especially on an evening with a bit of sun, it would be worth having another go.

G

George that is very helpful, I am very much into simplicity in images and you are right, I have not managed to convey this too well here.

I think I am at the stage where I see something interesting and try to get a reasonable composition (in a very basic way) and a decent exposure.

I didnt ask myself "what am I trying to convey" when i was taking these shots.

That is a question I will endeavour to ask myself whenever i press the shutter button.

Each of the photos seem to be good technically, but (in my view) 1, 2 and 4 have an absence of main subject/focus/ purpose, call it what you will.

I look at them and there's nothing that grabs me; my attention wanders around the scene.

Conversely, shot 3 speaks to me - the old and the new, coming together with a common purpose.

Thanks John, that is a very useful addition to George's comments and is along similar lines.

I would never post an image that I thought was rubbish so i quite liked the overall atmosphere of these. But you are right, there is a lack of focus.

These comments really are crystalising my thoughts when I next go out and about.

ChrisA- apologies, I did not come back to your comment. I dont have the original file here, its on a portable hard drive elsewhere.

I know the same sort of warping was present in both the orignal and edited file though (because I was unhappy with that element in both images)

I'm on a similar voyage myself - I can take perfectly good 'record' style photos all day, every day, but when I get home and review them all I think is 'so what?'.

I'm slowing down, taking fewer shots, and before I press the button asking myself, 'What would someone who'd never seen this scene/subject, whatever, think if they saw this photo? Would they see what I'm seeing?'

Ok, it's a bit 'Zen' maybe, but, for me at least, I'm beginning to see a change for the better in my photos. I'm thinking twice before hitting 'delete'.

Yep, I'm right there with you

Hi John,
You have posed a tricky one here. I have viewed it several times but found it hard to comment.
This seems to be a wonderful and attractive location,a strong structure, but with tricky exposure issues. I can see why you have photographed it, but the results are probably as I would have come away with. I would then have had to crop heavily to create an acceptable image, but been still left feeling,as I often am, as though I had missed something.
So, in short I cannot help, but read the thread with interest, as I walk in your shoes...
That said, I do like the last one ,which does draw me to the pillars, and good in b&w.
Nigel

Nigel- hope you're okay- yes a tricky one for sure- in some ways I suppose the tricky places are often the most interesting eh?

The thing I am most pleased about is that I KNOW that 6 months ago these pics wouldn't have been good enough to post and whilst they have some issues I know I have improved to this point.

I am definately going back there in 2011 for another attempt its not far and Shrewsbury has other delights to offer.

Well, going against the flow, I like the different textures, patterns and reflections in both 1 and 2

Can I just quickly say how delighted I am to get some really good feedback. I think the thread about 360 feedback has helped.

I really do appreciate the comments guys- thank you very much for the time you have taken.