Came across this broken concrete signage in Provincetown, Cape Cod. I didn't even notice the figure until I loaded it up. I thought the b&w conversion suited this subject and helped downplay the rather messy background. I would appreciate critique on the conversion. I am just starting to use Silver Efex.
Thanks!
Feb 08, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Charlie Shugart Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Kathleen- I know nothing about Silver Efex. I'm 90% subject oriented, so it doesn't matter anyway.
But I like the subject- and your interpretation of it is excellent IMO.
Being a suspicious sort, I wonder how the broken concrete signage got on what looks to be a sandy beach- and in such a nice position. Not your doing, of course. Do you happen to know how it got there?
Charlie
Hi Charlie - This was actually on the edge of the beach directly behind the theater.
I did find this info online - "On the night of February 10, 1998 a fire broke out in the old Provincetown Theatre built in 1919. This large structure, known in recent years as the "Whalers Wharf" was located in the very heart of town at 241 Commercial Street. Next to it were other large structures, including the infamous Crown & Anchor Inn and hotel. The fire quickly enveloped three major buildings and posed a very serious threat of creating conflagration conditions in this old town."
I wouldn't be surprised if this was when the sign got broken. If I find out anything else, I'll post. Or there might be some Cape Codders on the board who can chime in.
Thanks for your comments.
Kathy
Kathy,
Very nice! I especially like your treatment, the B&W works well. Looks like you're getting the hang of Silver Efex. I just bought the NIK complete set after trying them and being very favorably impressed.
It made me think of this song. I wish I could find the original from the '30's on the web.
Funny, I thought of that song, also. This info was online:
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a 1933 hit song by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Harry Warren (music), set in Paris. The narrator says "I walk along the street of sorrow/The Boulevard of Broken Dreams/Where gigolo and gigolette/Can take a kiss without regret/So they forget their broken dreams."
The song appeared in the 1934 film Moulin Rouge and was sung in the film by Constance Bennett. However Bennett never made a recording of the song. It was originally recorded by Deane Janis with Hal Kemp's Orchestra on October 31, 1933 in Chicago before the release of the film and was issued on the Brunswick label as catalog number 6734
Have you heard this version? &feature=related
Lot's of kids thing that Green Day's version was the original. Thanks for looking.
Kathy
Kathy
I thought the sign looked familiar. Went back and found my version of it I took last summer.
Your composition is better, I got even more clutter in the back than you did.
I am happy that the good people of Provincetown let the broken sign stay as it is, it does make photographers elated.
As others have noted this is a nice photo. I notice you shot it with a S90. I keep one in my pocket for occasions such as you found here. Did you shoot it in RAW? I ask because SFX can do more with RAW than JPEG. I've been using SFX extensively over the last year as the paper I shoot for has to have everything in B&W and not even in a classic sense. I generally start with the default "neutral" I think and then work largely with brightness, structure, and contrast sliders. Some of the prebuilt effects are nice. I've used "High Structure - soft" successfully on several of my own shots. I also play with the film effects.
The only critique I'd offer of this shot is that it would have been nice if the ends of the arch could have been included. It feels slightly truncated. Was there not enough distance/camera limitation or was it choice on your part to take it this way?
Again, nice pix and proof that a properly handled P&S can be used quite well by a photog with an eye.
Robert - I was limited in the shot because a kayak rental company was stacking boats up right behind me and I couldn't back up further. I agree about the ends of the arch. If I play with it a little more and get it good enough to frame, I think it would look better cropped to a sort of panorama style. I had the S90 with me instead of my 5D because it was just a quick day trip while we were visiting family in Scituate, MA. I bought it when we went with the grandkids to Disney and didn't want to lug the big one around everyday. It sure comes in handy. Thanks for the tips on SFX
Ray - I will try that. I need to learn to use all the sliders. Some were looking a little harsh to me so I backed of some. I will tweak some more.
Thanks user222
Kathy
Hummingbird wrote:
Ray - I will try that. I need to learn to use all the sliders. Some were looking a little harsh to me so I backed of some. I will tweak some more.
Kathy
Be sure to suit yourself. It's funny, I think you're just about right. I'm not sure I'd want the clarity any stronger. Ask three people and you'll get four opinions!
