Monday, September 29

Communist Castle View

Contributed by G Lee

This image was taken on a trip to downtown Birmingham. What is really cool about this picture is what I, the photographer, only know. I took it from on top of the castle downtown that used to be the headquarters for the communist party in Alabama. I only know that because I researched the castle. I like the way that I adjusted the exposure and gave the image harsh shadow and highlights. I think the black and white adds a better since of composition as well. The street down the center helps move your eye because it stands out with its down and over movement.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like this picture a lot. It is really interesting. I love that its in black & white. I do wonder what it would look like in color though.. I like that the view isn't from the ground, which is the view most people take pictures from when they are walking.

Anonymous said...

I like the view of this picture, the crop is well done. I really like the road. The only thing I don't like, which may help the image in ways, is the lack of detail in the trees and dark areas. Overall it's a great photo though.

A.Horton

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, this shot is generally a great scenic shot. One of the things I enjoy about it is all the different use of lines and shapes, which adds interest to the photo. However, I think this photo would have been better in color, to distinct the buildings from one another. It seems hard to find a center of interest in this photo, especially in black and white. The power lines are also somewhat distracting. Other than that, I like this picture, and the angle it was taken at.

Anonymous said...

Even though this photo has no real focus point I still really like this photo. It shows the city in a “new” way and I like that you took it in black and white. I think you did a good job of capturing the true city from above.

Laurel Newport said...

i love this, garrison. i think that the angle is unique and the comoposition is strong. i disagree with some of the above comments and believe that having one true focus or subject in this photo is unnecessary because i think the shot is about the big picture rather than any one particular part. furthermore, the use of line compensates for the lack of subject because they do such a good job of leading the eye throughout the composition. i also think that black and white was a good choice in this case becasue it goes along with the whole 'looking at the big picture' idea, in that the viewer is allowed to see the shot as a whole without being distracted by the detail or color of any one part. i also admire that rather than producing a generically edited photo, you followed your aesthetic which, in my opinion, is more important. i'm very impressed.

Anonymous said...

I call bull spit on that, quennelin (sp?) castle was built in 1926 as apartment buildings and remained that until the late 80's to early 90's. Also, all entrances to it are chained and locked.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love this picture. It’s so vintage like. These types of picture are my favorites. I like the long road right in the middle of the picture. For your technical features it looks like you were far away when this was taken, and you zoomed in. The type of elements of composition is central subject matter. The mood I get from this picture is somewhat of a city feel, like an exciting sensation.

Anonymous said...

I like how you took it from high distance. The technical features that I like are the black and white color. For the elements of composition that I see in this picture is you filled the frame vary well. I think this picture gives a sad gloomy look.

Bryan said...

This is by far the best thing I've seen from you man, I'm absolutely loving this. The black and white is jaw-droppinly beautiful (I'm not even sure if that's a legitimate phrase). I love how there are plenty of angles for my eye to follow, it keeps me constantly looking at the photo and I never seem to want to look away. I especially like how the road turned out. If this shot was in colour, it would not be nearly as majestic. The trees would cease to be adding to the overall composition, and instead become distracting. You would have to search for a central point of focus instead of letting your eyes wander to your hearts content. The focus is flawless (or at least it appears that way to me). I hope to see more great shots like this in the future from you dude.

Anonymous said...

I really like this photo alot. I love the mood set by the black and white, and how you created a sense of depth. One thing i usually would not a like about a photo is pure black and white, but for this photo it i feel it adds a lot of character and i really like it. It forms great contrast. I think the only thing that bothers me is that i feel like it's not completely level, but it might be because of the angles of buildings in the foreground so i think if you angled it to the right just a bit it might take care of it. But all in all i really like this photo.

Anonymous said...

I guess I'm the only one who does not like this picture very much. It lacks detail there is no central focus and black and white is nice for some pictures but I don't think this one. There is nothing interesting in this picture, it is just old buildings in Birmingham, if there were detail or color it would make the buildings look more interesting. I live in the area and the "communist castle" your talking about is old abandoned apartment buildings, I'm not sure how you got in it since it's locked.

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Anonymous said...

This is such an amazing shot! The tops of the building create unique lines as well as the roads, trees, and telephone poles. The frame is filled amazingly, however it’s not overcrowded or busy looking. The angle of the shot is also creative and very well planned.It shows that you put a lot of effort into this picture. I also admire the research you put into this. I love your decision to put it in black and white. It gives a vintage feel and really reminds me of the city. This is a great shot and I love everything about it!

Mr. Myers said...

Well, from all the comments it looks as though your image is effective. I personally think it is very well done. Great composition and use of line. Good choice on b/w. TTU!

Anonymous said...

The basis for your photo (communist castle) adds just and extra layer of gloomy to a very well executed photo. I think that the Black and white complements the subject and cuts out some of the distracting details that plague Urban Landscape shots like this.

Anonymous said...

I really like this picture, the black/white brings your eye to certain subjects but not in a distracting way. I also like the street that attracts your eye, but it doesn't dominate the picture. The building make great lines and the power lines also look cool. TC SPHS

Anonymous said...

I really like this photo. It has great composition- deep depth of field and good exposure. I like the leading line of the road that leads deeper into the photo. Also, using black and white instead of color was a good idea because there were no bright or distracting colors. I think the photo has a mood to match its atmosphere- somewhat gloomy, but not in a bad way.
EK SPHS

Anonymous said...

Garrison, what an amazing photograph you have. Your choice for black and white really makes this great. Also your lack of focus...is the focus *Twilight Zone music* because all I need to see I am lead to by the power lines, they guide the eye throughout the entire photo. You say it's from a Communist castle which I think is why you made some of the decisions you made i.e. the lack of detail and blurriness in the trees. Communism is plain and drab which is exactly what I see in this. But in a good way. Overall, amazing picture. PC-SP

Anonymous said...

I like how the imagine reminds me of a place like L.A with there steep hills and buildings surroundings. This picture is defiantly perfect to be in black and white, But it might be a little to saturate. Also the color makes the city look quite and peaceful.
-Joanna Stumpf
Rogers High School

Anonymous said...

I really like this picture. the black/white really sets it off. The edge of the buildings create attractive but not annoying lines, as does the road. Also, the power lines' contrast with trees is very cool. SPHS TC

Anonymous said...

I really like this photo. I love that its from a roof and not just taken from the ground. Great use of lines and i love that it's black and white. Great work!