Living in a box Photo

Photographer’s Note

This shot is from the interior of the Cubic houses complex in Rotterdam, for a better idea of the whole structure I suggest you have a look at this theme!

The Kubus-paalwoningen as they're known in Dutch, were designed by the Dutch architect Piet Blom (1934-1999) and this project was constructed between 1978-1984.

One of these is actually open to the public, or at least it was when I visited. If you want a quick glimpse of the interior I suggest you have a look at my Workshop which shows the kitchen.

The bicycle is a typically Dutch mode of transport - of the 16 million or so inhabitants, there are estimated to be somewhere in the region of 13 million bicycles!

A friend has suggested that this shot reminds them of the work of de Chirico, I'm not sure - but it's the first time I think any of my images have been compared to artwork ;)

I like the relatively shadowy feel in this scene, but for the full detail please check that you can see all the shades in the calibration table at the end of the page :)

Tech:
RAW converted using Adobe CRAW, ISO100, two blended exposures from the same image. Resized using Bicubic, and then High Pass and USM sharpening.

Roly, Tim, Rinie_Hoff, MarekP, wilkinsonsg, Xalkida, john_c, hispic, Maaza, steveegg has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cyril (2748) 2005-04-19 17:00

HI adrian,
I Like it a lot.
Good composition with the shadows, the lamppost and the roofs.
Colours are well managed and light is good maybe due to the two blended exposures.

Cyril

Roly (1960) 2005-04-19 17:06

Nice image, composed by the book, with good natural colors. I like the architecture of this place. Excellent blending job, it's not in any way obvious!

Tim (469) 2005-04-19 17:07

Adrian,

Nicly seen and captured. The bicycle adds a nice touch to the composition and an excellent note tops it all off. Way to go!

God's best,

Tim

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2005-04-19 18:10

Are you still in Rotterdam? Wanna go for a drink somewhere tomorrow?
Yopu got a really nice one of the Kubussen, I like the strong colours, the light and the bike very much. Tou picked a nice part of Rotterdam.
I chose these as a background for the Marathon photos that I still like to post.

Let me know, I would love to meet you,
Rinie

roconnell (327) 2005-04-19 18:14

Incredible lines. The POV and lighting have captured the architectural creativity so well. The bicycle at the lamppost suggests life and activity. Well done.

MarekP (4744) 2005-04-19 19:48

Very interesting photo. It actually does not look like a photo at all -- it is more like a painting. I like its colors and almost unbelievable sharpness. Also its composition is perfect and very creative with bicycle and lamp as a strong accent of the whole picture. Well done!

maurajn (902) 2005-04-19 20:08

I spotted your theme recently and then this photo tonight. I'm wondering if you know the reason for the unusual architecture? Or is unusual just for its own sake? I find it very beautiful to look at but not sure what it would be like to live in.

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2005-04-20 3:22

Very nice. Such smoothness. It almost looks like an airbrush painting, it works though!

greg (2835) 2005-04-20 8:18

Hi Adrian, it's not often we see something from you... what a weird place. I'm glad you have the bicycle there - yep, that's a real Dutch bike. You know, if you pedal backwards on one of those, it puts the brakes on - I never once came across that in England... Now I'm wondering, are all those windows dirty around the edges, as even the shadow would seem to show, or is that your contrast masking? Anyway, an immaculate composition.

Homerhomer (4005) 2005-04-20 8:45

Very nice Adrian, the architecture is very nice and well presented, nice rich colours, exposure right on.
Personaly I would love to have someone stanting by the window, but that's a personal preference.
Well done.
Peter

wilkinsonsg (8646) 2005-04-20 13:30

Very good graphic image - reminds me of a 'comic book' style :)

Albrecht (11098) 2005-04-20 14:26

Hi Adrian
What a great shot of a very well known place. Good compo with the bike on front. Great on the details and colours.
Welll done, regards Albrecht

Xalkida (11740) 2005-04-20 17:50

What a perfect composition! Great geometry, POV, colors and lighting. The bicycle is a very important element! Great job!

Porteplume (3255) 2005-06-22 14:29

This picture is unbelievably attractive Adrian!

Of course I could just say it's a well composed photo, but I especially recognized your talent as a post-processor to make the "cubes" looking perfectly smooth in a wonderful light and atmosphere around the scene, just like in a air-brushed picture! And of course the bike is the cherry on top... :o) - GREAT, GREAT WORK! I wish I could do that too! ;o(

john_c (24635) 2005-07-28 18:44

Hi Adrian,
What a fabulous shot! If you can obtain this kind of clarity from your 10D, there is certainly no excuse for my 20D. The detail is amazing. I also like the shadows, the enhancement with the bicycle, but especially the portrait format which gives us real sense of height and dimension. Just a great shot - worth 100 points in my view.
John

PogoStick (502) 2006-04-09 0:41

i really like this shot. it is deceptively simple yet the lines are so complex. i might have prefered more exposure on the bycicle.

srgabreu (763) 2006-06-07 20:32

Hi Adrian! You have a nice gallery with excellent images, this is my favourite, I enjoy the compo and the treatment you gave to it.
Thanks for the workshop and the tips on my Street Lamp photo ;)
Sérgio