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kapuschinsky

Vertical Reflections

Apr, 2016

Views

448

Likes

+17

Awards

Winner in Looking Up Photo Challenge

Superb Composition

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This was shot at the Wells Fargo Center in the Bunker Hill District of Downtown Los Angeles.

Time

Mid-afternoon on another bright, abundantly sunny day in the City of Angels

Lighting

I'm always drawn to emotive black and white imagery, and one way to help accomplish this is to work with the lights and shadows available in order to pull out as much depth as possible. Architecture photography, in particular with skyscrapers, looks great with a long exposure that smooths the movement of the clouds in the background, because it eliminates unnecessary distractions and keeps your focus of the structure. However, in this particular scenario, I opted to go with a short shutter speed because I loved how it captured the reflection of the clouds gently cascading down the glassy facade from such great heights. In order to get the exposure right in-camera, I used a circular polarizer over my 28-70, which enhanced the depth and cut down on the glare of the glass.

Equipment

This was shot with my Sony a700, Minolta 28-70 f/2.8G and Marumi CPL - 28mm, 1/3200s, ISO 200. I used the wide aperture in order to keep the buildings a little sharper than the clouds above.

Inspiration

I'm obsessed with how captivating leading lines, symmetry and composition all work together so harmoniously on magnificent, towering structures such as these, leading your eyes ever upward, so I'm always looking for interesting ways to capture it whenever I find myself in the city.

Editing

I hand edit all my images in GIMP. For a good monochromatic conversion, I'll do several various channel conversions saved as multiple layers, and then mask in the parts I do not want changed.

In my camera bag

I keep my gear simple- until I am able to upgrade to full frame, I've got my faithful Sony a700 that I shoot solely with on vintage Minolta glass- the 50 f/1.7, 28-70 2.8G and legendary "beercan"-the 70-210 f4

Feedback

I usually march to the beat of my own drum, but when it comes to architecture, it's best to stick with the fundamental rules of photography. Balance in composition is key, and following the rule of thirds (placing the main focal point at a one third vector in the frame) will help ensure this. Look for how the lines of structures naturally lead in a particular direction, and make sure your viewer is led that way. Try various camera angles until you get a perspective that is appealing. Diagonal lines work wonderfully on structural photographs that would otherwise seem ordinary or bland. Pay attention to details. With architecture, sometimes less is more so instead of trying to capture the entire structure, look instead for ways to bring out the symmetry, lines, lights and shadows in a way that will grab the viewer's attention and lead them to a primary focal point. Capturing birds or planes flying by in the frame will also add depth that further enhances the magnitude of the building(s), and even play on perspective. Architecture photography is one of those genres where minimalism and negative space work really well, and when it comes to skyscrapers, there's no exception. The simplicity and straightforwardness of such a composition brings out the sheer size and beauty of the structure, all while alluringly leading the viewer's gaze heavenward.

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kapuschinsky

kapuschinsky

Vertical Reflections

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow kapuschinsky

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