Outhouse of the Blues Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is the Broadway Oyster Bar, located in downtown St. Louis, on Broadway, of course. Looks like a ramshackle building, probably because it's about 140 years old, but this is one of the best places to go before or after a baseball game or for live music in the spring, summer or fall. They have Cajun style fare and great bartenders. Probably the hardest working servers in town, as well. It is a small place inside, but they have a nice, large patio with lots of seating outside. You can see the iron gate in front of the entrance to it in almost the middle of the photograph. They have a great selection of micro-brews and other local beers (AKA Budweiser) and you can see blues and Cajun music performed by local and national acts. They tend to rock after a ball game, that's when I have been there the most, and regrettably, that's when my friends and I have been tossed out the most, too. They have good bouncers - so you won't have to deal with a lot of drunken fools, at least not for very long...

Anyway, I digress. This photo was taken the same day as my Peace, Man from last week, just a little later in the day. It was a rainy, overcast day - the BOB looked better in black & white, so I used DxO Filmpack V.2 to convert it, then added a little vignetting to overcome some of that blown out overcast sky and add a little mood. One day I will have to shoot the inside of the patio when it's rockin'.

Have a great Tuesday!

JanD, phwall, delpeoples, ktanska has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JanD (14562) 2009-04-14 5:16

Howdy Reed!
Cosy place, wonderful house, nice picture, good contrast and sharp.
Regards.

phwall (5528) 2009-04-14 5:31

Hi Reed,
Now that's my kind of bar, no point in taking attitude into a joint like that, that's for sure.
The B/W looks great, colour would be way outa place here. Love the detail in the shot too, so much good stuff to explore.
You're getting pin sharp pictures out of that D300, really good shot. Top note too.
Cheers
Pete

BlueRaven (35) 2009-04-14 5:43

Hi Reed,

Geez, I am really getting in the playoff mood here - when I read the title my first thought was of the hockey team (and I don't really want to reflect too much on the term "outhouse" in this context!). Oh boy, I really need to tune down my hockey addiction! ;o)
B&W is a great choice for this one. I'm not sure if I would have opted to leave a bit more room on the left side of the building though (but maybe there just wasn't any room?).
Anyway, interesting shot, definitely out of the TE ordinary.

See you around,
Claudia

fkostas (426) 2009-04-14 5:44

Hi Reed,

I like the mood of this picture, but it's extremely flat, like the light and energy is sucked out of it. I tried my scientific test: Walk into the kitchen and look at it again. No, it was still flat.

Compare it to the photo by Nuno next to it: That one is so alive it made me sick. I had to go to the kitchen this time to get away from it!

I don't know if it's the processing. did you use the dreaded neatimage? Maybe you should have kept the blown out sky. It should be grittier, I think.

Can you actually get good Oysters in St. Louis?

Farah

jasmis (50010) 2009-04-14 8:11

I almost hear the music...
Moody photo in superb B&W tones.
Regards.

delpeoples (5722) 2009-04-15 2:16

Hi Reed, hows things? I love this shot, it could have been taken at any time in the last 40 years and you wouldn't know. The composition is great, as is the framing. I had an irrational urge to see it in sepia, so I've done a WS - hope you don't mind. Have a great week - only 2 more days to go! Best regards, Lisa.

[workshop] [compare] +

ktanska (16484) 2009-04-17 1:14

Hi Reed,
This is full of atmosphere, even with no one around. Lots of worn out details giving idea about history of this place. B&W was certainly right choice. Hard to say about contrasts, it depends so much on the impression you are looking for. How about some blues toning, like on this one?
Kari

baba_flies (7951) 2009-04-21 9:41

Hello Reed! Not too much country music BUT I do love the BLUES ... I wish we had such corners in Zuerich ... but I have found them in the States, huge memories, one in Montana, in the middle of nothing, just this bar AND music, people dancing like crazy, so much fun. Brought me back some memories, your picture, what a great piece of building. Keep them, don't clean them up ... this is the true thing that goes deep and is priceless. Have a wonderful day, Barbara.