Another Look at Architecture

I have always had a fondness for Architecture, particularly Modern , and have made trips based upon a particular  building or location, appreciating the architect's work. I have found Cultural and Educational sectors have the most inventive designs, so they make a significant statement.

Documenting these has given me immense pleasure, looking at exterior and interior features, and now I have found that I do not always take a literal approach, making them a source for an expressive image. This sometimes works and featured here are a few examples. 

Black and White Plus Shades of Grey

A lot of subjects I see as quite graphic and like to process as monochrome, to use that definition, as they impact better to me. This view changes from scene to scene, obviously, I like to have blocks of colour as well. Processed in the main in Lightroom, which has an abundance of adjustments.

This is a random selection from my library, all I think quite good, but I cannot be objective enough with them to differentiate sometimes, so much harder with my own stuff. Different genres of course.

A little colour and a lot of monochrome

Lightroom Collection editing for half an hour before evening meal (fish pie) and found these few to work on.
Street shots today, and I find mono is best for most, but sometimes the colour is part of the story, so decisions are made.

I try not to meddle too much with them, but as one develops skills it is hard not to tone down highlights, straighten and fill in shadow areas.

Spent most of the day in the garden tidying up for the winter, building a shelter as frost protection using a huge roll of bubble wrap, hope that it saves the gems. Took some pics which I will post another day.

Satisfied Customer ?

Some bloke is photographing here

Stories being told

Lunch Over.

Ladies Doing Lunch

In Mono

Mind your backs

Yee- Haaaaa

Where do I go from here ?

Hummm,

I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy taking pictures, going to exhibitions, reading and looking at other people's work, and neglect the possible treasure trove I have on my hard drives, and spending time on the above precludes me from processing and finishing a body of work (I love that phrase, always reading it.

So no excuses I have to get the work done, or else the effort and cost has no end product. I have started a portfolio site on 500px, with quite a pacy design, which is used for my selected work, over my favourite genres.

That is here   My Portfolio

And so I am back in the flow I picked a random folder and spent a few minutes on some shots from London.
The South Bank is a constant source of images for me, and I notice different things on every visit.

Yep, I Look Good

National Theatre

Side View of Ballet Rambert HQ

NT again

The Shed

Stairs and a Wall

Sir Denys Lasdun's National Theatre

Margate Matters - Some observations on the resort

Margate has been on my list of places to visit, primarily to see David Chipperfield's Turner Contemporary gallery, along with a general lookabout.

The Gallery did not disappoint me, although one resident did say it was viewed as a "Concrete Bunker", but also added that it had brought a lot of visitors to the town.
Alongside this Margate has been the home of Dreamland, one of the earliest Amusement Parks, which was closed in 2006, and plans were laid to demolish it and build housing. This caused an uproar, and The Dreamland Trust emerged from the campaign, working with partners to secure £12m public funding to restore Dreamland and its jewels: the Grade II listed Scenic Railway, Grade II listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages.

A proposed opening date of 2015 has been mooted, but there seems an awful lot to do before that can happen.

Margate has a neglected air, as so many seaside resorts have, in their heyday they would have been beautiful, filled with holidaymakers from the manufacturing centres nearby, but that has obviously changed and new ways have to be found to bring people in, "Cultural Tourism" being a successful means.

On to the pictures, again a motley crew, architecture and the like forming most of the catch, the resort's nature did not make for people shots, (the children thing). So in the mix I have monochrome and colour, a no no for many, but what the heck, I choose shots I like, & process them to what I think suits the image.

My First Shot

Dreamland Promotion Display

Turner Contemporary

I always love concrete

The View from Turner Gallery

Action Men, boys dolls.

Reflections

A National Institution

He wanted me to photograph him

Wonderful design

In a shop window....

Conversation

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Tidal Pool