Scottish Parliament - Blue Hour Photo

Photographer’s Note

Here is one that I took a few months ago and wasn't sure about!

In fact I still don't know if I like it or not, so I really don't mind you telling me what you really think!

This is taken facing the entrance of the Scottish Parliament. The architecture here is questionable, but I'm really not wanting to debate that here! :-)

Please tell me what you think, even if you just help me make my mind up about this one!

Thanks!

Tue, Floydian, Dpbours, Sistercosmo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (15302) 2008-07-04 13:50

Hi Blair,i like a lot this kind of pic,especially when the colors and the time of exposure are perfects like in your pic,excellent work,my best compliments,have a nice weekend,Luciano

Miha2ou7 (4907) 2008-07-04 14:21

Hey Blair,

Nicely done again. You`ve developed quite a specialization for night-time images. Perfect exposition and colors. Of course the composition is good too.

Best regards.

Tue (25608) 2008-07-04 15:02

Hi Blair,
Another great blue hour photo! Nice contrast between the warm hues of the Scottish Parliament and the deep blue sky. You show the modern architecture also well here with a good sharpness. So well done, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

Floydian (30970) 2008-07-04 15:34

Yes you are right...it's me in the movie ;-)
Hi Blair,
Another blue hour photo from your hand, seems you like doing this.
What i think is; maybe another pov? The perspective is very nice, it's creating a perfect depth, but that's all. It doesn't flow like your other streets shots which were much more interesting on the subject.
Here it looks a bit messy, without real focuspoints. The stars on the right are nice (i like the green ones) but further i don't see any attractive things. That's why the option for a different pov?
Here my thoughts...you asked for it ;-)
Technical it's okay, the exposure is spot on, nothing to pick on that and the 30 sec are well balanced.
Hava nice weekend, Henk
p.s.
Glad you're back to the DSOTM avatar instead of The DB
p.s.2
Thanks for the green star to my MsM picture...

Dpbours (218) 2008-07-05 3:01

Hello Blair,

I have to say that I do understand your emotion when it comes to liking or not. It is a very nice perspective, the contrast between the blue and yellow is great and the exposure is good as well. But it feels overly soft to me.
From the tripod I would have expected it to be sharper on the edges. Let me try a workshop for that one!
But composition-wise it is surely a good photograph!

Greetings and have a good weekend,
Dennis

[workshop] [compare]

John_F_Kennedy (31263) 2008-07-08 0:42

Very attractive shot. Great picture! I love the colours, The composition and the point of view! Beautiful light!
Best wishes,
Achim

mark_mk (246) 2008-07-10 9:47

Hi Blair,
so you posted new ones, great!
Another blue hour shot, you definetly know when to stand there and how to make a nice composition. I like the depth of field and the wonderful colors. Technically it`s perfect, thanks for sharing my friend!

Take care
Mark

PS: Henk is glad you chose the dark side of the moon avatar, but the Division Bell is also a nice one, "High hopes" is still my all time favorite :-)

Sistercosmo (2573) 2008-07-24 14:58

Hi Blair,
I know I'm late with my critique, but still... It's an interesting pov. I like the blue hour and the lighting. As opposed to Henk, I do see a focal point - the doors at the end of the walkway. And the photo is, in my opinion, emotionally heavy. (Which I think is good!) It makes me think that the way is long and perhaps hazardous. This photo may not be a technical masterpiece (I'm too "young" to pass judgement!) but it certainly is a strong emotional capture and I think that emotion is just as important as technique.
Take care,
Linda

Waylim (10741) 2008-08-01 11:50

Blair,
I do think it'a well worth image. Nothing to dislike Really. Don't make it so hard on yourself. The structure look funny for being a parliment. Looks kind of like bamboo sticks. Everything is fine, the color of the blue hour nice and intense, beautiful acutally. Perhaps the only thing missing and maybe what you were looking for is some liveliness, like a few people walking around. Something to anchor the viewers attention. Even a potted Plant or a statue of somekind would help.
Way