Emily Kawasaki
April 2021 - Diverging Paths
Original
About the Image(s)
This photo was taken at the intersection of Chuo-odori and Shinnaniwa-suji in Awaza-ku, Osaka-shi, Japan. The image was taken on July 2, 2018 at 4:12 p.m. JST. It shows Chuo-odori and the Hanshin Expressway that runs across/above the city streets. The photo was taken with my Sony a5000 and 16-50mm OSS Lens. The ISO is 320, exposure time is 1/250 sec., the f stop is 8, and the focal length is 16mm. Post-processing edits in Luminar 4 were a decrease in highlights and increase in AI enhance, medium details, and large details.
I took this photo on a very bright afternoon. The metal frames and support of the elevated highway are quite dirty from all of the traffic below. So, the colors aren't very vibrant. I edited the photo in color and then also converted it to a b&w. I am curious to hear what others in the group think, and which version (or any other suggested edits) seems to work better.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
(Group 79)
Emily - before I read your description I was all ready to comment on how much I liked the palette and the muted colors, on how I thought captured so well the shadow of this underpass ... and now that I look, I think that the B&W appears flat in comparison.
My attention is most drawn to the confusion of lines (pun?) formed by the train tubes - and then to the contrast within that convergence between the straight and the curved tubes. This excitement seems to reflect the frenetic motion of the vehicles passing within them.
I did try a perspective warp - to straighten the verticals and was initially pleased with the product (since the image became about the weight of the upper track looming on top of us). But my son disputed its worth and said that the road markings became compressed and the pole on the right became just a pole - rather than a perspective marker as seen in your image. So he and I both now prefer your version to mine. Posted: 04/09/2021 20:36:14
My attention is most drawn to the confusion of lines (pun?) formed by the train tubes - and then to the contrast within that convergence between the straight and the curved tubes. This excitement seems to reflect the frenetic motion of the vehicles passing within them.
I did try a perspective warp - to straighten the verticals and was initially pleased with the product (since the image became about the weight of the upper track looming on top of us). But my son disputed its worth and said that the road markings became compressed and the pole on the right became just a pole - rather than a perspective marker as seen in your image. So he and I both now prefer your version to mine. Posted: 04/09/2021 20:36:14
Thank you Gerard. I see what you mean about the B&W version looking a bit flat by comparison. I agree that while B&W could suit this scene, I kind of like the muted green (like a dirty mint green) color and overall tone. Maybe if the B&W version had a stronger contrast, that might make a B&W version look less flat?
I definitely avoided going near saturation or vibrancy in post-editing because I didn't want to make it look brighter/cleaner (because I would know that's not how it really looks, and that would bother me).
I also tried playing a bit with the perspective, at least in terms of getting the road straight horizontally. I noticed that even if one thing gets straightening, then something else will look off-kilter. It is an unusual intersection to photograph for exactly the reasons you mentioned - but a fun challenge. Posted: 04/09/2021 21:36:03
I definitely avoided going near saturation or vibrancy in post-editing because I didn't want to make it look brighter/cleaner (because I would know that's not how it really looks, and that would bother me).
I also tried playing a bit with the perspective, at least in terms of getting the road straight horizontally. I noticed that even if one thing gets straightening, then something else will look off-kilter. It is an unusual intersection to photograph for exactly the reasons you mentioned - but a fun challenge. Posted: 04/09/2021 21:36:03
Hi Emily. This is a really interesting image - the crossing structures are almost unreal in their nested complexity. They are visually quite interesting, but also, for me, seem like a metaphor for the sort of urban chaos of the modern world. I like the color version much better - the consistent greenish tones in the structures pull them as the subject out of the background. They fade into that background in the B&W version.
I think it would be interesting to see this same image shot at night. I'm guessing there is enough city light to still see the structures, but the night shot would eliminate the bright sky. It would also be interesting to see a longer or multiple exposure capturing traffic moving through the scene on the street. That might add to the sense of urban chaos.
Well done to pull such an interesting image out of the complexity such an urban setting. Posted: 04/12/2021 19:47:27
I think it would be interesting to see this same image shot at night. I'm guessing there is enough city light to still see the structures, but the night shot would eliminate the bright sky. It would also be interesting to see a longer or multiple exposure capturing traffic moving through the scene on the street. That might add to the sense of urban chaos.
Well done to pull such an interesting image out of the complexity such an urban setting. Posted: 04/12/2021 19:47:27
Thank you Robert. I agree that getting a night shot of it would be amazing, and it would be a nice contrast to the daytime photo. I'm adding that to my bucket list of photos to take whenever I get to travel again safely. Posted: 04/19/2021 17:40:17
Hey there Emily, your photography, and in particular, the way you see is really advancing. This is an exciting image. The intersecting lines, although chaotic, have a wonderful harmony. Curves have such a pleasing effect. Along with how the colors work together, you have a sophisticated sense of design. I like Robert's idea of making this capture at night. One of the aspects that a night shot might solve is the street level background. It feels busy and distracting. You might also consider cloning out the dominate traffic light. If I'm seeing it correctly, the way the traffic light is angled, the image feels pulled to the left. From my perspective, this is a terrific photo. Posted: 04/15/2021 10:47:42
Thank you Dan. Yes, the tilt seems to be a bit of a double-edged sword. I agree that a night shot would probably take care of the issue. I will see in Luminar 4 has the clone feature, as it seems to be pretty important and well-used by other PSA members. Posted: 04/19/2021 17:49:34
Hi Emily
I love the intersecting lines of the bridges. Really interesting image and I enjoy looking at all the elements of the image.
I find the blue and red color under the bridge draws my eye to the distracting street level background. For this reason I like the idea of black and white. I would darken the street level and highlight the bridges. Dan had a great idea about cloning out the street light. I too tried straightening the tilt due to the wide angle lens but liked it better without. Posted: 04/17/2021 15:21:13
I love the intersecting lines of the bridges. Really interesting image and I enjoy looking at all the elements of the image.
I find the blue and red color under the bridge draws my eye to the distracting street level background. For this reason I like the idea of black and white. I would darken the street level and highlight the bridges. Dan had a great idea about cloning out the street light. I too tried straightening the tilt due to the wide angle lens but liked it better without. Posted: 04/17/2021 15:21:13
Thank you Cheryl. I like how you darkened up the B&W. I think my original B&W was a bit flat, so having a greater range of dark tones brings out the shapes of the elevated highways very nicely. Great edit! Posted: 04/19/2021 17:51:25
I like it better without the straightening. I think I might of went too dark but you get the idea. I wanted to remove the distracting street level element and focus just on the bridges. Posted: 04/17/2021 15:22:25
(Group 87)
Hi Emily - this is a very good photo with many interesting details. I like the patterns created by the overhead bridges and my eyes tend to follow them to the various parts of the photo. I also noticed the tilted traffic light, but attempting to straighten it would affect other parts of the photo. I personally do not see this as an issue.
Regarding your question about the color or black & white version, I personally prefer the black & white. The tonal contrast is excellent as are the details of the various structures. Very well done. Posted: 04/19/2021 15:39:32
Regarding your question about the color or black & white version, I personally prefer the black & white. The tonal contrast is excellent as are the details of the various structures. Very well done. Posted: 04/19/2021 15:39:32
Thank you Dale. In terms of the B&W, do you think that a lighter version (like my first edited version) or a darker version (like Cheryl's) works better, or perhaps a version that is somewhere between the two? Here's a revised version of mine that is a bit darker, for comparison. Posted: 04/19/2021 18:17:42
(Group 32)
Hello Emily,
I saw your group's discussion about your interesting image, about straightening and b/w conversion.
Here is my suggestion for straightening. I used "skew" in PS, which allows pulling each side out individually to taste. I did more on the right. I left a little lean--my preference.
As to b/w conversion, I used the "vivid landscape" preset, then adjusted brightness and contrast to taste.
How do you like this? Posted: 04/27/2021 13:26:09
I saw your group's discussion about your interesting image, about straightening and b/w conversion.
Here is my suggestion for straightening. I used "skew" in PS, which allows pulling each side out individually to taste. I did more on the right. I left a little lean--my preference.
As to b/w conversion, I used the "vivid landscape" preset, then adjusted brightness and contrast to taste.
How do you like this? Posted: 04/27/2021 13:26:09