Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, 14mm, F 4, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

There are two good points to make about this shot. The first point came to me when I was standing there in NYC, shooting it. The second came during Post. Regarding the first point, when I first turned the corner and saw this barricade with the graffiti on it, I initially walked by it. I didn’t really pay it any mind. I think it was because the lettering on the barricade didn’t make perfect sense. Having two loops (representing the letter ‘O’) made my brain just assume it was gibberish. But something told me that there was more to it and I turned around to look at it again. Now, it isn’t rocket science but there is something to be said about letting the viewer’s mind fill in gaps and make their own decisions about what actually is in the frame that you present. It was enough to make me set up the tripod and compose this shot.

The second point has to do with selective processing. A lot of the time, the easiest way to draw focus on an element in a scene is to have contrasting light and shadow. The focal point can be brighter while the remaining scene drops into darkness. That is certainly an effective method but I tend to apply a different method with the same principle. What I did with the shot above was apply more of a texture boost to the barricade while dropping the texture a tad on the rest of the scene. I wanted the luminosity to remain consistent and let the texture shift do the work. I’m actually pretty happy with how it came out.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, 50mm, F 13, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

Here is another good example of picking off a piece of the whole for your shot. This was the focus of my walk around NYC last week. Sadly, the shoot was pretty brief but I was glad to get a few keepers out of it. A lot of times, you’ll read or hear people say that you can challenge yourself by going out with one camera and one lens. This is most certainly a great way to get into a forced rhythm for a shoot.

I try to spin it up just a bit. Instead of choosing the lens that I want in advance first, I choose a theme or an idea and then I choose the lens. For instance, I chose to select pieces of the puzzle instead of shooting the whole thing. It just so happened that my 50mm lens was on at the time, which helped visualize portions of the entire scene. But, if I had my 14mm on, I’d still try to focus on pieces. I think it’s a really rewarding way to challenge yourself.

So, next time you are prepping to head out for a casual photowalk, think about a theme or a challenge. Then, grab a lens at random. Just one. And head out. You never know what you can come up with when you set yourself up with an objective limited by the gear that you have on you.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, 50mm, F 10 ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

I love it when a movie is so freaking good that it just sticks in my mind. It’s so good that it actually shapes and inspires what I see when I’m out shooting. The movie that I’m referring to for the shot above is called Inception. I saw it about two weeks ago and it has been stuck in my head since. And it isn’t any one particular thing or the plot. Rather, it’s a combination of subtleties that are brought together with nuances in cinematography and soundtrack. It’s not often that a movie gets me going like this so suffice it to say that I’ll be picking up the Bluray disc (or whatever the latest media du jour is at the time) when it is released.

I recently went down to NYC to visit my family and ended up on an abbreviated photowalk with my buddy, Peter. I had my 50mm lens on after making a resolution to try and use it more. I turned, saw this arrangement of buildings and immediately thought of Inception. I knew as soon as I saw it that I would build this post around the movie.

Inspiration comes from so many different places. Even discussing something as hallowed as what the sources of inspiration are makes me nervous for fear of cheapening it. But I think it’s important to recognize all of the random slivers and glints that we can gleam it from. It’s great to be inspired from epic and notable things, places, and people. It’s also equally great to pay mind to the fleeting things, like a theater flick, for a whole different source of inspiration.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye, 15mm, F 22, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

This shot right here, it was a rarity for me.  It’s not very often when I can find  a section of Grand Central Terminal, in NYC, totally empty without any pedestrians.  Now granted, the section was closed off with rope and technically, I didn’t cross the rope.  My tripod and camera… well, you know, I tried my best to teach them good behavior.  To know the wrongs from the rights.  But, their philosophy is: “I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission.”  So, they got the shot.  I got to process it.  You could imagine me trying to rationalize with the police officer who stopped me as soon as I got this shot.  I guess my tripod was an extension of me to some degree.  I decided to not go into the metaphysical theories behind his reasonings and graciously retreated (despite having a legit permit to shoot there).

Still, the fisheye did not fail to please.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L, 17mm, F 4, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

Another shot found while roaming completely random streets in NYC.  This little park in Alphabet City is operated and maintained by the locals of the area.  They provide the upkeep, plant the flowers, and provide decorative touches.  This pathway made of brick and the bottom of beer bottles is an example of the creative flavor that the locals brought to this absolutely charming park.  After I took this shot, I sat back on a bench here and just admired the place for all that it was.  Very, very cool.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L, 17mm, F 16, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

I am a sucker for these sorts of scenes.  You know, the ones where nature makes itself a literal part of the structure whether we like it or not.  It’s a nice integration.  I saw this shot while walking down an avenue in NYC and had to double back to get it.  I opted for the black & white conversion because I felt that the color image was too distracting.  I like the simplicity here even amidst the chaos.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L, 17mm, F 16, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

Another shot from my awesome permit-induced frenzy at Grand Central Terminal.  I tell you, having the freedom to rock out the tripod and not have the slightest worry about being asked to leave is the only way to shoot.  At least, it is when you’re grabbing four minutes worth of brackets. 

I really like everything about this shot.  Instead of all sorts of straight lines creating the comp, I like how everything in this frame has a fluid, curvy feel to it.  I also love the texture and craftsmanship in the ceiling.  I hope to go back sooner rather than later.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L, 17mm, F 16, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

Back to NYC for today’s shot.  I was walking around with my friend, Peter, when I saw this taxi dock and drive bay.  I have a thing for these types of scenes.  Large scale, industrial, and full of rich texture & color.  Golden hour was quickly turning into blue hour and I really liked the contrast between the warm tones of the taxi dock and the cool tones of the city seen to the right and through the drive bay.  This shot hits a lot of marks with me. 

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L, 17mm, F 6.3, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

This was the last shot of the evening while roaming around NYC with my buddy, Peter.  Diners provide some of the coolest subject matter to shoot.  There is such a perfect fusion of chrome, neon, and classic architectural styling.  It never fails to please.  And I just love how the HDR processing lets you get all of the detail on the outside of the diner while still being able to see through the glass and inside.  I look at this diner and all I could think about is a huge pitcher of coffee and a stack of chocolate chip pancakes.  NOMS!

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye, 15mm, F 9, ISO 100, HDR, 9 Exposures

Sometimes, going through the appropriate channels pays.  My friend, Peter, did what he had to do to get us proper permits to shoot inside Grand Central Terminal with tripods and, because of his due diligence, I was able to get a shot like this.  There was something very liberating about being able to plop the tripod down, take my time to get a good comp (and wait for a rare lapse of time with no pedestrians) and bracket away.  In fact, in the case of the shot above, I was propped literally behind two police officers who were MORE than accommodating once they saw that I had the proper permit.  In fact, they even recommended other areas to shoot, which was really refreshing.

It is a bittersweet message because, while the benefits of following the proper channels can be great, the process itself is often extremely time consuming (tons of red tape and background checks) and can even be cost prohibitive.  Wouldn’t it be great if these establishments actually worked with us to go through the proper channels instead of making it such a cumbersome process?