Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC  


Fox Stairway by Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC

January 2022 - Fox Stairway

January 2022 - Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC

Original

About the Image(s)

Last December I had the opportunity to attend the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert at the Fox Theater in Detroit. During the intermission I found this intriguing stairway. Although the original was in color this one screamed Black and White. I used my iPhone 12 Pro MAX and took a raw DNG image.

When I returned home I stayed up processing the image in Lightroom Mobile. I used some of the black and white presets. I also made a radial selection of the wall light and reduced its brightness. I made a radial selection of the lower rail and slightly lightened it. I added sharpening and an edge darkening vignette. The edge darkening is a technique I learned from my darkroom days and Ansel Adams.


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




Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Bill, agree with you that it was screaming B&W interpretation. Very sharp. Lots of detail and the composition flows from left lower to right upper. Great textures. It is good to be able to photograph anywhere anytime. I am also a fan of the Mannheim Steamrollers and have several of their CD's but have never seen them alive though.   Posted: 01/02/2022 11:14:21
Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Isaac, I've been a long time fan of Mannheim Steamroller. Chip Davis goes back to the days of musical group doing backup for C W McCall and the recording Convoy. We've been to at least four of his concerts. He did a benefit concert following the forest fires in Yellowstone.   Posted: 01/02/2022 11:34:29
Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Isaac, I've been a long time fan of Mannheim Steamroller. Chip Davis goes back to the days of musical group doing backup for C W McCall and the recording Convoy. We've been to at least four of his concerts. He did a benefit concert following the forest fires in Yellowstone.   Posted: 01/02/2022 15:48:57



Guy Davies   Guy Davies
Nice one Bill. If I'd been there we'd have been shoulder to shoulder photographing this staircase. It looks to have been a challenge to get far enough back to include that lovely curve on the right. It's a pity there wsan't enough room to get the left hand side of the stairs into the frame. When I have shot other staircases similar to this, I have been bothered by wall lamps such as the one in this frame. You have done a splendid job in dealing with this one. I think you were right to go for a b/w interpretation.   Posted: 01/03/2022 04:44:21



R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Bill, I really like the composition of this image. I feel that there are a number of great lines that lead the eye through the image, capturing all of the staircase. To my eye the "Lead In" at the floor could be stronger if the image were lighter. I placed the image in Nik Silver Efex 3 and chose the "Highlight Fade" preset to give it a different look. Let mw know what you think.   Posted: 01/03/2022 12:45:37
Comment Image



Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
Flights of stairs often produce strong leading lines and your offering is no exception. To me, the textures add viewer in terest. Your dark exposure elicits some mystery and Gary's offering in higher key, works as well. Guy has ordered a 6 mm lens for his phone and yours, so in the future both of you will always be able to capture both sides of the stairwells y'all decide to photograph. Ha!   Posted: 01/07/2022 10:16:39



Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Bill
Im getting confused with this Group first we have someone who is not Dr Flip flipping a photo now we have someone else doing Guy shots.
Seriously Bill who could walk past this wonderful piece of history its gorgeous without wanting to record it,you have done a wonderful job in what must have been a very small space,there is a wonderful sweep throughout the image not only in the staircase but also the beam on the upper right.The decoration looks very Art Deco but the staircase looks earlier,for me you have 2 great images love the tones in the colour image as well so do not discount it.   Posted: 01/12/2022 15:58:27
Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Thank Ian. Congratulations on your recent PT image and award. The Fox Theater in Detroit was one of many that were built in the 1920's. The architecture is quite unique. Art Deco with a blend of Burmese, Indian, Persian, Chinese, and Hindu motifs. I may post a picture of the ceiling next month. Here's a link to Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Theatre_(Detroit)   Posted: 01/12/2022 17:35:57
Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
Thank Ian. Congratulations on your recent PT image and award. The Fox Theater in Detroit was one of many that were built in the 1920's. The architecture is quite unique. Art Deco with a blend of Burmese, Indian, Persian, Chinese, and Hindu motifs. I may post a picture of the ceiling next month. Here's a link to Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Theatre_(Detroit)   Posted: 01/12/2022 17:35:58



Vella Kendall   Vella Kendall
I even like the color version, black and gold always work. Just got a new IPhone and did not know it could shoot raw. Thanks just figured it out. I looked at website, it is beautiful. Nice sweep of the staircase and I am sure you felt lucky to have no one traipsing up and down.   Posted: 01/16/2022 13:50:01