Quick-step in the Grand Foyer Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another picture from the Palais Garnier (or Opera) in Paris. This one is showing the Grand Foyer, which is located at the front of the building and can be used to "see and be seen" during the intervals of performances.

The Grand Foyer is really the most decorated room of the building. Incountable numbers of candles, paintings and details are located on the walls and ceilings. And if that's not enough, these are all reflected in large mirrors that are placed everywhere.

The smooth wooden floor and the dimensions of the room are also very much inviting to start dancing and I wanted to use that feeling in my picture. So I started experimenting using longer exposure times and moving my camera in horizontal direction and slowly up and down and the same time to get the feeling of turning during a walse. But that did not work out very well. So I tried zooming instead with the above result. As if you are crossing the room during a quick-step.

The two people in the centre were standing in the daylight coming through the window on the left, which gives them a very different colour than the rest of the picture. A more traditional picture of this Grand Foyer can be found in the Workshop.

Andre-H, robiuk, eleparc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Andre-H (1407) 2006-05-31 1:59

Interesting technique and result. I like the symmetry in the image, and the ceiling lights that look as though it is them they that are zooming past.

André

carper (63968) 2006-05-31 2:25

een prachtige foto Michael,
echt machtig mooi licht effect, zeer goede kuns foto wat zeker ook wel bij het onderwerp past, prachtige speed, mooie kleuren en een uitstekende kwaliteit. goed werk.
gr. jaap

RGatward (19737) 2006-05-31 3:20

Very cool Michael, neat effect leaving the people in the centre almost sharp. THis techniques seems a whole lot harder the panning, which is tricky enough. Good result.

robiuk (10761) 2006-05-31 10:04

Hello dear,
one has to have balls to post a work like this one and I'm glad you've got them!
Funny that I first thought of waltzing before I even read your note, which means you succeeded in your technique which resulted in presenting us with a very subtle solution.
Wonderful colours warped up across the frame - though, your WS image shouldn't only stay there; I hope you've got something similar up your sleeve for the next post!
Thanks Michael,
Robi

erdna (5346) 2006-05-31 10:29

Very beautifully done Michael! The effect of the lights of the chandeliers look like it is travelling fast in space. Those two people looks like they are in a time warp vehicle. Very well done.

Andre'

eleparc (24059) 2006-05-31 13:41

this effect I have never actually tried but ithink the result is quite promising... pity the two characters are blurred too, but nice first experiment;-) this grand foyer was reopened during the current season after years of works and closure...

nwoehnl (118) 2006-05-31 16:29

Hi Michael, I like what you did here - the creative approach with the zooming turned out well, and I like how the traces of light create this corridor-like effect that warps the viewer into the photo. The effect on the floor is also good and it's great to have the people and their reflections in the middle of it all. I tried a similar zoom effect a while ago, but your photo here is much cooler with the lines of light and the included people.

The WS is nice too, completely different and yes for sure "traditional" compared to the main posting - but in that one I like how the high amount of ceiling combined with the vertical format conveys a fine feeling of the interior space.

weswang (18223) 2006-06-01 23:08

Hi Michael, In comparing with the one you have in your WS, I like the one in the WS better. I have to say that the effect you have been trying here is not quite successful. I think the reasons are (1) there was a camera shaking when you took this picture; (2) The exposure time was evenly distributed in the entire time, which makes the "original image" lost.
A successful effect can be seen a photo Nat West Tower (Rays of Light) by rosaline.
Good try.

jrj (34777) 2006-06-08 9:10

Hi Michael
Good creative work here. You succeded in having some 'silent' focus in the middle section that makes the compo work. Very effectful and fun compo

letuananh (2478) 2006-06-16 13:46

Very imperessive!