Photographer's Note
I had gone into the city in search of gargoyles at the Old Toronto City Hall and happened to notice this one on a very old building (Yonge and Richmond).
What I had not expected was to find myself on the wrong side of the law. For some strange reason, this building (which today houses a medical clinic amont other businesses) is protected by both private security and the local police force. I explained that I had no interest in whatever business was conducted inside and showed the officer a few of the images in my camera. He asked that I remove any the logo of the clinic (which was in the upper left quadrant of this picture) and I complied with that quite happily: it did nothing to enhance what I was aiming for!
The gargoyles and grotesques that grace this building are slowly being eroded by our harsh Canadian weather, but this one sill hangs on and works hard to frighten off both photographers and all other threats!
PP: isolated the window and adjusted the levels for that section only to bring out the street scene; then cloned out the logo as requested by the local constabulary, resized and posted
Thank you for your visits and I look forward to your comments both on the photo and on the conditions under which it was taken.
Glint, jmcl, pierrefonds, robiuk, delic ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile
Critiques | Translate
ben4321
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1801 W: 133 N: 2077]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(9875) 2007-02-19 13:21
I like the hazy reflection in what appears to be a wet window, but I think this really needed to be shot from square on to the building with the camera perfectly vertical. That's the only way you could have kept the vertical lines of the window and wall vertical, and the horizontal line of the bottom window frame horizontal. Had you done so this would have worked better, I think.
I also think this would look better in black and white.
It's an interesting image though, and it's good to see you experimenting with unusual subjects like this.
By the way, what did you think of the WS I did on your gargoyle shot the other day? It was a good shot to play around on, especially with that great shadow.
Cheers,
Ben
glyn
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 34 W: 1 N: 12]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(65) 2007-02-19 13:31
Hi Silke, I like this composition very much. The contrast between the ancient gargoyles and the glass window with city life shining through the reflection is just great. You could maybe have increased contrast a bit to enhance the details of the gargoyles. Otherwise I think this is a perfect TE pic!
Cheers,
-glyn
Glint
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1047 W: 30 N: 1226]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(6171) 2007-02-19 14:41
hello Silke,
interesting contrast between ancient and modern. Interesting note too. i wonder what they were trying to hide?
regards
Bev
berek
(50518) 2007-02-19 15:29
Hi Silke,
interesting composition and good reflections. I like it. good evening.
Burak
***
jmcl
(14535) 2007-02-20 1:43
Hi Silke,
I love the concept .. this timeless figure in timeless stone next to this reflection of modern life .. I agree with Ben that this would be better square on .. which I am surprised to find myself saying .. I usually appreciate things at angle to the frame .. but still, wonderful image.
take care,
John
SteveH
(8220) 2007-02-20 6:13
Hi Silke, I was interested to read Ben's comment as I had a similar thought myself. Except that I thought the answer may have been to crop the bottom of the window and make the vertical lines vertical. Of course it is not possible to have both the H and V lines H&V as in order not to take a photo of your own reflection you needed to be to one side, so perspective demands that it is not square. Nice idea though. cheers, Steve
pierrefonds
(114395) 2007-02-20 7:18
Hi Silke,
A good POV of the sculpture of the gargoyle and of the reflection of the street in the window, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.
Pierre
chrisnet
(23062) 2007-02-20 13:26
Hello Silke,
Original creative composition, I like the reflexion in the window and the details of the architecture at the right. Well seen!
Regards
Christian
robiuk
(10807) 2007-02-21 17:34
Hi Silke,
first thing, if I were you, I would've
gone to the nearest police station to get
confirmation about the building and rules
for taking/not taking photos.
Good idea and not so bad realisation, but
I would take on board Ben's advice.
Cheers,
Robi
Polonaise
(5802) 2007-02-21 18:35
I like the idea behind this photo.
Unusual combination of these two elements. Gargoyle's wall and this weirdy window cover...
Standard windows reflection are everywhere..but this one is quite unique.
What's missing...?
Stronger presentation - darker and more dominant contrast would certainly add a flavor to this babe.
Also: Skewing down the left corner of the window...and that's a MUST !
But...The originality of this shot softened my cold, cold heart...
Long live the originality then...!
g.
sabyasachi1212
(19779) 2007-02-23 23:13
Hi Silke,
Excellent reflections, love the contrasts. Nice view of the street giving a totally different dimension. I agree with, this may have special merit for B&W conversion.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi
delic
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1217 W: 65 N: 1883]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(6735) 2007-02-26 3:51
Hello Silke,
I think the officer was just trying to help improve the composition :). That aside, I honestly like the concept here and admire your creativity. The hazy reflection and the gargoyles make an interesting counterpoint. I believe that the composition can benefit from minor cropping.I would get rid of the window frame at the bottom, and also cut a bit from the left. I'm posting a workshop for illustration.
Best wishes,
Hakan
SylFondacci
(4087) 2007-03-04 10:37
Very good composition, Silke !
Great idea, I love it and very informative note !
Sylvie
MIG13
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1854 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2007-03-16 2:27
Original and nice pic, Silke, with interesting details and theme! Great colours and sharpness! Well done! TFS! Best regards! Miguel.
kmarscher
(2887) 2007-03-17 10:17
Another well seen photo. Very creative! Astonishing eye-appeal to the composition, one that I could look at for a long time to see the layers.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Silke Force (Silke)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 579 W: 66 N: 795]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(3027) - Genre: Luoghi
- Medium: Colore
- Date Taken: 2007-02-10
- Categories: Vita quotidiana, Architettura
- Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
- Esposizione: f/3.9, 1/60 secondi
- Details: Tripod: Yes
- More Photo Info: view
- Versione Foto: Versione Originale, Workshop
- Tema(i): Gargoyles and Grotesques, City Life [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-02-19 12:03
Discussions
- To ben4321: Reaper WS (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-19 01:31 - To Glint: hiding? (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-20 10:27 - To SteveH: Thanks (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-20 10:29 - To robiuk: getting arrested (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-21 06:21 - To Polonaise: Thanks to a GTA man! (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-21 06:49 - To delic: (*o*) (2)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-25 11:10 - To Polonaise: your workshop (1)
by Silke, last updated 2007-02-25 08:16
