Victoria Baths

Tonight ADAPS visited Victoria Baths in Manchester, along with four models. This is a shot of Gemma in the ticket hall:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/009-Gemma.jpg[/IMG]
Pentax K20D/SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm

A bit more detail about the baths. Used from about 1912 to 1980, the baths had pools, Turkish baths, and facilities for washing clothes. As time went by, the need diminished and eventually the baths were closed.

Now in the late stages of restoration, the building is magnificent. We were able to explore the Superintendent's flat, the baths, the offices, the outbuildings and even the tunnels beneath the baths. Under there it's like Urban Exploration without the danger!

Add four models and we had a wide choice of photographic subjects. It was a really fantastic evening's photography!

Wasn't it that baths which one the first series of Restoration on BBC TV?

My husband was pleased it won, coming from near Oldham he had been there often as a boy.

I like the photo though Gemma does look a bit alarmed. The dress actually fits in well with all that art deco glass work too.

Gemma was holding still for a very long 10 seconds...the long exposure helped to bring out the richness in the wood. Flash just killed it.

I may be a bit weird John, but I feel Gemma (pretty as she is) draws attention away from the glass and wood.

I tend towards static objects, not people when I shoot. I seldom use flash as well.

Still a nice shot though.

Not weird at all, and a valid point.

I actually shot both, that is lots of architectural details, but also a few shots of the four models we had brought along. I didn't shoot many model pictures this time as there were quite a few of us and plenty of people to keep the models busy. I do like rich and interesting backgrounds for people shots though - studio backdrops can get a bit boring.

With so much more of the baths being available to explore, there was plenty of room for everyone to disappear into.

I get your point on backdrops, John, all to often portraits use the standard white/grey background.

Seeing somebody in their surroundings can make or break a shot. But it's worth trying I suppose.

Here's the landing outside the Superintendant's flat:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/013-Landing-at-Victoria-Bat.jpg[/IMG]

Nice.

Bold colours, strong lines and angles. Which lens did you use?

Love the green tiles. The 12-24mm I guess?

The green tiles are superb.

Yes, it was the 12-24mm and that was only just wide enough to squeeze all this in.