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Thread: Blight or progress?

  1. #1

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    Blight or progress?

    Some say modern highrises are boring looking structures and are a blight. Others call it progress. Perhaps it is necessity. No idea really.

    Hopefully the developer will finish them off looking reasonably attractive. I have no high expectation though.

    From birds to social commentary....LOL

    Blight or progress?
    Last edited by Bobobird; 6th January 2013 at 05:46 AM.

  2. #2
    Tony M's Avatar
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    I like the tone of the sky; it enhances nicely the B&W scene.

    Skyscrapers can be a blight or a beautiful sight. Madrid has only a few and four of them are close together. None of them are blights and two are beautiful. I have posted some photos of them before, e.g. Torre Espacio - a different viewpoint and Torre Espacio (Madrid); this building is my favourite.

    Let's hope the ones in your photo turn out nice. Are you going to keep taking the photos to document their construction?

    Tony

  3. #3

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Thanks Tony. Appreciate the comments.

    Yes some skyscrapers can be quite beautiful. It really depends on the developer and whether he hires a design architect or just uses the cheapest available. The type of occupants he is trying to attract probably has quite a lot to do with that too.

    We have quite a few residential towers that look superb but the majority are just tall and ugly unfortunately.

    I missed seeing those 2 you posted. Sorry about that.

  4. #4
    jeeperman's Avatar
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Nice image for the social commentary, Bobo. I like the sky as well and the fog/mist is a bonus.

  5. #5

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Thanks Paul.

    Funky weather and a bit of evening light prompted this shot. Though it may appear partly b/w it is actually a full colour image. My pp skills are not that great to do that kind of transition.

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Very nice shot, Bobo. They sort of look like mechanical ducks to me. And if you zoom right in, there would have to be a pigeon on a ledge somewhere.
    - Noel

  7. #7

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bobobird View Post
    From birds to social commentary....LOL
    Though I'm sure there is at least one bird in those trees, you made the transition to social commentary very well. I'm astounded to learn that this is not an example of selective color.

    I realize that the mood you are going for here does not involve tones extended to the far right side of the histogram. However, try moving the white point to about 235 and see if you like it.

  8. #8
    terrib's Avatar
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Nice of them to build those buildings with a stair step effect. You did a great job of recognizing and composing this scene. And I'm also surprised that the color is not manipulated. Well done!

  9. #9
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Hi Bobo,
    I like this picture.
    Sadly 'progess' I think. Sadly, because I'm not a lover of high rise buildings; but that's just me.
    As Tony M. said "Are you going to keep taking photos to document their construction?" It would be interesting to see them 'grow' if its possible.
    Thanks for sharing.
    John.

  10. #10

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    The official bird of Calgary used to be the Crane. Looks like they've migrated east.

  11. #11
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    When I was in China, there was so much building going on that people there joked that the construction crane was China's national bird!

  12. #12

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Thanks guys.

    Here is a "progress" shot.

    Taken a couple of hours before the big snowstorm hit Toronto on 8th Feb. The colour of the sky had turned to a chocolatey/orange colour and it was way past sunset at 8.45pm.

    f5, 1/20, 200mm, ISO10,000, hand-held.

    Blight or progress?

  13. #13
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Hi Bobo. Although I prefer living in a house rather than in an apartment/flat, many people, nowadays, are choosing them, due to factors such as safety, price, easier maintenance, etc; maybe this is really necessary! Besides, we keep the same territory size and population never stop growing (in most cowntries, at least). Anyway, it is a theme that generates huge discussions!

    Regarding your picture, you captured the buildings very well and that sky gives it a special mood. As proposed above, it would be nice if you keep shooting them and showing us the progress!

    Cheers!

  14. #14

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Do you have a photo that is a tight crop on the high-rise buildings that eliminates the other bright lights? I'm thinking of simplifying the composition perhaps to the point of displaying a silhouette.

  15. #15
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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bobobird View Post
    Some say modern highrises are boring looking structures and are a blight.

    Blight or progress?
    Not when the sunlight either reflects off the glass or shines through...

    Very nice, exposure used fits the title of your thread.

  16. #16

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    Re: Blight or progress?

    Thanks Otavio. I get to see this now and then at my friend's place. Will keep an eye on progress and take shots as needed.

    Thanks Mike. Will try a closer shot and an evening silhouette. If I have the time may try to get closer physically.

    Thanks John, yes sometimes they can look good.

    -----
    Think #1 is tilting to the right somewhat?

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