Fire Hall Bell Tower and the Bow

[JAS_Photo]

Well, the plan was go out and get dramatic architectural photos of The Bow using an 8 stop fader and polarizer. The day started out pretty good with the sun shining and some clouds in the sky. Promising for what I had in mind. Then it turned overcast and windy. BOO! But then it cleared up again with just a few clouds. But boy was it windy. I could barely keep the tripod steady for the long exposures I wanted to get those smoothed out but dramatic clouds. I came away with this:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6187508233_c799d28ae9_b.jpg

[thoughton]

Looks pretty great to me :) I love the smoothed out skies you get from this technique. Nicely composed and converted, and good contrast of old and new as well.

[Mad Aussie]

I love it! This something I have wanted to try but just haven't found the right subject when the wind and clouds are around. Great job.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Tim and M.A.

[Bambi]

nice! well done indeed. How do you do this?

[Mad Aussie]

nice! well done indeed. How do you do this?
Using filters such as neutral gradient filters to allow longer exposure during daylight.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, M.A. Bambi, I used a Cameron 8 stop ND fader and a Singh Ray warming polarizer, a bit of an awkward combination because they both turn but they did the trick and I got the very contrasty look I was going for with the smoothed out skies. A bit less wind would have been better. I can hardly wait to go down to the river and try it out on a city scene in the evening/ late afternoon for a smoother out river and sky look. The contrasty look was further worked on in PSE and either Silver Effects or Topaz B&W for the conversion. I tried to keep graininess to a minimum. :)

[Marko]

I like the comp and perspective here!

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Marko!

[asnow]

Love the perspective and the effect the 8 stop the ND fileter gives. Reminds me a ordered an 8 stop Cokin ND filter 4 months ago from Henrys and I still haven't heard from them. I'm going to have to give them hell.

[Barefoot]

Amazing!

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Barefoot and asnow! Asnow, I would check with Henry's. I think the problem is with Cokin. When I was at The Camera Store recently, they were very low on Cokin stock and mentioned being unable to get Cokin products in.

[thoughton]

If this is something anyone is interested in trying out, but doesn't want to pay hundreds for a Big Stopper ND or something similar, a piece of 4"x6" number 10 welding glass costs about £3 on ebay and does a decent job albeit with a greenish colour cast (somewhat correctable, but most people just convert to BW). Use tape to stick the glass to a step up ring and use that to screw onto your lens.

[edG]

well made JAS - really love the perpsective and tones