Chris Prior  


Descend by Chris Prior

May 2023 - Descend

About the Image(s)

Canon 20D with Canon 70-200mm f4 lens @163mm, 1/1250sec f5.6 ISO 400
I took this one a few months ago. It is the Sydney Opera House steps. The colour version was ok but I converted to mono to concentrate on the repetition and simplify the image. Starting with a Raw file I converted to mono by creating a new fill adjustment layer and selecting SOLID COLOR (black) and COLOR blending mode on 100% opacity thereafter made some levels & curves adjustment to get desirable contrast & density. In retrospect I wish I had stuck around until someone walked down the set on the left, even if they were walking across/ standing on the platform. This I will keep in mind for next time as I have another visit planned in a few months time.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
8 comments posted




John Roach   John Roach
I love the tonality, lines, shadows, overall dynamic range, sharpness and the with the addition of a person, which adds to the perspective, you have a wonderful image. I agree having a person walk the other set of stairs would be rich. Awesome image.   Posted: 05/04/2023 14:26:07



Don York   Don York
Chris, A most interesting image - almost a panorama! I was there when they were pouring the concrete for these steps in 1965! The image is great as it is. I might try cropping a bit off the bottom to give the subject more attention.   Posted: 05/04/2023 14:36:23



Stan Bormann   Stan Bormann
I like it just the way it is. The man is well positioned in the image walking toward the center. I personally like it with just this one man and I think it is best to be on these steps. I suspect this is a great deeal better than the color version. With all this geometry, who needs any color. It has been going through my mind, "How many of these lines do we need?" You can do testing just sliding down the image to crop the bottom, but I think I like all of the lines but you can adjust the aspect ratio to the print this way if you want.   Posted: 05/10/2023 16:49:48



Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
Super image, I have a similar one taken in Liverpool a couple of years ago. Scenes like this scream for mono.

I think I'm with Don here. It's not that I don't like the number of steps shown, it's more that the figure is small. I guess you could say the figure is secondary, there just to give scale and explanation, but I'd like to a see a bit more of him. So a bit of cropping or initially a longer focal length would improve it a little, I think.   Posted: 05/16/2023 14:38:08



Jerry Snyder   Jerry Snyder
You have created a very pleasing graphical image. The image would retain its graphical interest if it were cropped to the top 2/3 of the left half, which contains both sets of stairs, their transitions, the regular gaps in the masonry, and the person.   Posted: 05/19/2023 09:19:00



Chris Prior   Chris Prior
Thanks for the positive feedback. Out of interest I submitted this in our last club (Lake Macquarie Camera Club) monthly comp and it was awarded HONOURS in Advanced Mono Division which is the top award outside of 'judges choice'. Personally I think a few more steps above the man would have been better composition wise but problem was there were no more steps for me to work with, so I should have shot again when he descended a few more. As we all know it is easy in retrospect.   Posted: 05/22/2023 06:11:35



Helen Sweet   Helen Sweet
Wonderful image, Chris! Congratulations on your HONORS!. Well deserved. Wonderful graphics! Did your judge suggest cropping from the bottom as most here have and with which I agree? Someone suggested the man was secondary: recently I'm very much interested in titles to reflecting the maker's intent. So naming it for his descent, we know he's the primary.   Posted: 05/22/2023 17:25:49
Chris Prior   Chris Prior
Helen, there was no mention of cropping from the judge who wrote "Well seen and photographed. The composition is fantastic and the placement of the person really does add to the image. Great tonal range. Well done." I have some other shots from same shoot so I might play around with the crops as suggested by all.

  Posted: 05/23/2023 05:09:42