Category: Architecture

The Verticals

These were all shot at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. Two images are from different vantage points in this giant art deco type hallway area. One side does pop culture and the other sport. There are two levels and I opted to shoot from the upper half looking back towards the other. The final shot is from the Kogod Courtyard in the middle where there are lots of events held.

I played with these images based on my whim. I did the standard curves and dodge and burn but then started applying filters and masks until I went happy. I used lots of different programs to achieve the look. Am I completely satisfied with these images? No. I would like to go back but there comes a point where you go enough and just hit save because the urge to start over is just too strong and I wasn’t sure if I would really improve on what I did.

Full resolution #1
Full resolution #2
Full resolution #3

Enjoy.

The VerticalsThe VerticalsThe Verticals

Baltimore Basilica

The Baltimore Basilica as its name indicates is located in Baltimore, Maryland. I was just wandering around shooting and I shot the external of the building and as I was walking around it to see other angles I noticed some tourists heading in so I figured I take a peek inside to see what was going on. While I was in shorts and a t-shirt no one blinked as others were dressed similarly. So with that in mind I got the camera ready and proceeded to take a wander through.

These are just the first few images from what I shot while I was in there. I went with a dome theme as its the common theme through out the images. There are others but for now I wanted to just show how big the place is. As I progress I’ll get to the other places I wandered into.

In all it was a very cool hour spent shooting. There is no charge to enter but there is a donation box on the way out clearly marked for charity. I went ahead and made a donation as it seemed reasonable for such an interesting place to shoot.

For inquiring minds this was all shot on my Panasonic GX7 with either the Olympus 45mm 1.8 or Olympus 12mm 2.0.

Enjoy.

PS – To my Mother; as I shot these images weeks ago I did not spontaneously burst into flames! Go me!

baltimore-basilica

baltimore-basilica

baltimore-basilica

baltimore-basilica

baltimore-basilica

It’s In The Details

Just some random architectural stuff I have shot. No real theme here other than I liked them.

Enjoy.

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

It's In the Details

Reflected Back

This series was shot at the same time as the Mostly Yellow flowers were. There was a slight deviation from the service center in that I also went and got a haircut so a couple of buildings were from that route.

There is something about buildings reflecting the sky and what is around them that i like so I just went ahead and grabbed a few shots while I was out during the day. The time that some of these images were taken are hours apart. Some start fairly early in the morning to late afternoon sunlight which is why the light varies and how strong the reflection was.

Enjoy.

Reflected Back

Reflected Back

Reflected Back

Reflected Back

Escape To The Sky

I like fire escapes. It’s just not something I grew up with. The same with tall buildings. If you live near DC nothing until recently was built above 10 stories or so. In Washington DC itself no building can be taller then the Capitol. So with that in mind, fire escapes were rare. So when I see them I gravitate towards them because they cast some cool shadows and add drama to the image (least in my mind).

These two images are of the same fire escape, just at different angles. There were the only two images in the series that were shot on a 24mm lens I had in my bag as a just-in-case lens. The one in color I just liked the shadows and the light coming down into it. The monochrome image was originally done in color but hit convert in Photoshop and did a blue filter and it was love at first sight. Before all that the usual layers and so on with a run through what is rapidly becoming my favorite third party plug-in, Macphun Intensify Pro. Then using a quick sharpening while in Lab Color and done!

Enjoy.

Escape To The Sky

Escape To The Sky

Neoclassical Architecture In Monochrome

Still in my architecture mode. I had a series of neoclassical stuff and I felt it would look good in monochrome so I went with it. I am Macphun’s Tonality Pro to do the conversions to monochrome. I am impressed with Tonality Pro and may start using it more when I do my conversions.

For inquiring minds, the last two days were shot in Baltimore over the weekend.

Enjoy.

Neoclassical Architecture

Neoclassical Architecture

Neoclassical Architecture

Neoclassical Architecture

Reflected On You

I just have had an itch to do some architectural photography lately so I went out and did some shooting. Changed it up and used my Panasonic GX7 and the Olympus 45mm (90mm eq) to get tighter shots. It’s not a lens I use a lot for walking around but sometimes you don’t want wide, but a more compressed shot. Pleased with the results so far.

Enjoy.

Reflected On You

Reflected On You

Reflected On You

All Along The Watch Tower

This is from Glenn Echo Park. I have no idea what the building is. I just like the tower and the light. If shadows seem funky on the tower the wind was blowing. While I removed it from the branch you see, the shadows kept it and I kinda liked the effect.

Extra points if you know who originally wrote the song that the post is titled after.

All Along The Watch Tower

Where Eagles Dare

This could be a reference to the movie with the same name or more importantly; the Iron Maiden song. Take your pick on whatever makes you happier.

I will say that this series was like shooting on white seamless. It’s just the sky behind the lights and the light fooling the meter. Interesting effect that isolates the subject.

Enjoy.

Where Eagles Dare

 

Where Eagles Dare

Where Eagles Dare