Erik Rosengren, FPSA, PPSA
September 2023 - Bricks, Steps and Shadows
About the Image(s)
How I did it—Pre Covid 19, I was invited to judge and or make presentations to Clubs around the Country. Betty Sue and I always try to combine my invitations with our own photo shoots as we drove. We took the back roads whenever possible in search of unusual subjects. “Bricks, steps & shadows” was found in a small town in Oklahoma. My tools for the day, Canon 24-105 f4 lens, mounted on Canon Eos 5D Mark 111 body, hand held. Settings were ISO 200, f6.3 at 800th of a second. I thought my Wild Life images needed a rest for a while so I could present my Study Group 04 Family with other areas of photography that I enjoy. Looking forward to your critiques.
12 comments posted
Erik, interesting combination of lines, colors and light. The metal staircases show the effects of long exposure to the elements. The space between each step lets the light through creating the streaks that one would expect should be equal, but that is not the case, they have different width. The greater real state of the image is occupied by the old red brick wall, which also is not uniform in its construction having bricks laid lengthwise and some transversal, which repeats itself every sixth row. The green vegetation adds color contrast to the image. Posted: 09/05/2023 09:18:55
Isaac, out of interest, the bickwork pattern is called "Scottish Bond" where there are five courses of bricks laid lengthwise and a single course laid crosswise. A variation of this, called "American Bond" has anything between three and nine courses laid lengthwise. Posted: 09/06/2023 08:37:12
Thank you Guy for the explanation. In this group we learn a little bit of everything !! Posted: 09/06/2023 15:51:33
Isaac, great catches on the bond pattern and the variation in spacing of the steps. Posted: 09/08/2023 09:30:06
Erik, if I had been with you I would have really enjoyed this scene. It is the sort of thing I love to do. You have caught the light at just the right time with the sun having just moved enough to create long grazing shadows on the wall. Another 20 minutes and the shadows would be too short. The red wall and the green foliage give a good colour contrast, and Isaac has already mentioned the rather decrepit state of the stairs. Well spotted and a worthy change from your excellent nature pictures. Posted: 09/06/2023 08:52:05
Guy, it would have been my pleasure to have you and Ian share this scene. Perhaps Betty Sue and I can get to the U.K. again. Then the 6 of us could share a meal together and make some images. Thanks for explaining "Scottish Bond" Posted: 09/15/2023 19:27:23
Erik, that would be really great. Posted: 09/16/2023 04:13:50
Erik, I love this image and the first thing it "screams" to me is "Monochrome." I don't know if you enter PIDM but this would make a wonderful image from my experience. To my eye you have three sets of leading lines - the bricks, the stairs and the shadows. If you can get good tonal contrast out of the greenery that would be an added bonus. Nice Job! Posted: 09/08/2023 10:04:57
My first thought was That is nice! This really works. Good light, good contrast, good saturation of the complementary colors. The decrepit stairs pairs well with the weeds growing out of the bushes. Another thing is how the lines of the shadows are almost opposite of the lines of the bricks. Posted: 09/09/2023 16:08:05
Hi Erik
Firstly I sincerely hope your recovery is going well and send my very best and warmest wishes.
I so love it when you and Betty Sue go on one of your road trips and hit the back roads they have created some memorable images and this is another.
There are so many shapes,angles and lines but all work together to make a fascinating image like Guy I would so love to have been with you when you took this so well spotted and presented love it. Posted: 09/12/2023 15:34:45
Firstly I sincerely hope your recovery is going well and send my very best and warmest wishes.
I so love it when you and Betty Sue go on one of your road trips and hit the back roads they have created some memorable images and this is another.
There are so many shapes,angles and lines but all work together to make a fascinating image like Guy I would so love to have been with you when you took this so well spotted and presented love it. Posted: 09/12/2023 15:34:45
I am concentrating on my P.T. exercises and the knee is getting stronger each day. We leave for the PSA meeting Sunday A.M. Betty Sue and Stan will share the driving duties on the way up while I rest and make some images. Thanks for your kind words my friend. Posted: 09/15/2023 19:20:04
Hi Erik
I was with Brian and Diana Magor this morning they fly out for the conference this Friday I was talking about you and the Group and said I was not sure if you would make it but if you did and they saw you please pass on my best wishes and the same for Isaac,Bill and Gary,being among like minded friends Erik the best therapy in the world enjoy. Posted: 09/17/2023 10:03:34
I was with Brian and Diana Magor this morning they fly out for the conference this Friday I was talking about you and the Group and said I was not sure if you would make it but if you did and they saw you please pass on my best wishes and the same for Isaac,Bill and Gary,being among like minded friends Erik the best therapy in the world enjoy. Posted: 09/17/2023 10:03:34