Uploads from StevenBrisson, tagged building

Museums and art stores are sources of pleasure and inspiration.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:28:05 -0800

~Helen Keller

"What's Up With That?" Week Continues! A week-long dedication to upward POVs (both big & small) as I focus on things that are way over my head.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry: Opened in 1933, MOSI is one of the largest science museums in the world, with more than 35,000 artifacts & 14 acres of hands-on exhibits...all designed to spark scientific inquiry & creativity. Yes, it's so much more than rubbing a balloon on your head.

Up, up & away

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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City life is millions of people being lonesome together.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:55 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Henry David Thoreau

Trust me, this quote does not apply to Chicago...it's a vibrant, friendly and culturally-rich city. People are open, accessible & always in good spirits. If you haven't been, you should go--maybe 2016? Say, for the Olympics? Keep your fingers crossed.

Above: the LaSalle Street bridge overlooking the Chicago River at night. A very dark night. As in low-light. Or no light. But lots of pretty bokeh.

#1 of 2 for a Gorgeous Green Thursday!

Life in the Big City

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© Steven Brisson. All rights reserved. Do not use without permission.

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:01:10 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Winston Churchill

Monochromatic Month is almost over! Only 4 days left! There's still time to join the colorless fun! :)

Tip: As many of you know, shooting when the sun is high overhead (11am - 1pm) is challenging simply because everything is so evenly lit and flooded with light, that the shot often lacks depth and detail. But with B&W, darker colors take on the tonality of shadows, thereby creating the contrast and dimension missing from midday color shots. Position your POV to take advantage of both the strong contrasts and gradual transitions from dark to light...these shifts in tone will help bring shape and depth to a scene.

Happy Tuesday! Thank you all for your continued feedback & support!

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Aperture: f/10.0
Focal Length: 16mm
ISO Speed: 100
Lighting: Ambient
Polarizer/Filter: B+W MRC
Exposure: 1/250
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3

Go ahead, ask.

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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That sweet city with her dreaming spires.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:48 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Matthew Arnold

Monochromatic Month is almost over! Only 4 days left! There's still time to join the colorless fun! :)

Tip: As many of you know, shooting when the sun is high overhead (11am - 1pm) is challenging simply because everything is so evenly lit and flooded with light, that the shot often lacks depth and detail. But with B&W, darker colors take on the tonality of shadows, thereby creating the contrast and dimension missing from midday color shots. Position your POV to take advantage of both the strong contrasts and gradual transitions from dark to light...these shifts in tone will help bring shape and depth to a scene.

Happy Tuesday! Thank you all for your continued feedback & support!

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 28mm
ISO Speed: 100
Lighting: Ambient
Polarizer/Filter: B+W MRC
Exposure: 1/640
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3

Go ahead, ask.

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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Every mile is two in winter.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:03:04 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~George Herbert

Monochromatic Month Continues! Yes, April is bursting with Spring color, but I don't care! I'm going colorless! And why not?—the versatility of B&W suits any subject, lighting situation or type of photography! Come join our new Monochromatic Month group! :)

Tip: As I've mentioned in previous posts, I love street photography, especially in city neighborhoods. There's just something about the grit, grime, character and textures of the urban setting that rings with authenticity to me. And for the reasons shown here, B&W is my preferred aesthetic for these city scenes: it accentuates the metropolitan mood while creating a captivating, quiet stillness.

Happy Fence Friday, friends!

Ask me anything!

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 70mm
ISO Speed: 400
Lighting: Ambient
Polarizer/Filter: B+W MRC
Exposure: 1/200
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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It's not what a picture is of, it’s what it is about.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:01:39 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~John Szarkowski

Monochromatic Month Continues! Yes, April is bursting with Spring color, but I don't care! I'm going colorless! And why not?—the versatility of B&W suits any subject, lighting situation or type of photography! Come join our new Monochromatic Month group! :)

Tip: Architecture and B&W photography are perfectly suited for each other, as the dimensional monochrome format often creates an image that has far greater impact than the same scene in color. This is especially true when the light, shadows and angles come together to dramatic effect...whether shooting a dilapidated, abandoned house or a gleaming steel skyscraper. To add even more mood to your cityscape & exterior shots, look for late-afternoon side lighting and perhaps a sheer "at-the-base-of-the-building" angle...this will create sweeping shadows and long lines that draw the viewer into the shot. :)

I've turned off commenting...because I have so little time to visit your streams & feel like the worst Flickr friend ever. :(

UPDATE:: I have no idea why some folks are able to comment and others are not--it definitely said I'm the only one who should be able to. Ugh. Thanks for your support! :)

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Aperture: f/13
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO Speed: 400
Lighting: Ambient
Polarizer/Filter: B+W MRC
Exposure: 1/200
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3

Got questions?

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:34 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Imogen Cunningham

Monochromatic Month Continues! Yes, April is bursting with Spring color, but I don't care! I'm going colorless! And why not?—the versatility of B&W suits any subject, lighting situation or type of photography! Come join in the fun! :)

Tip: Two major misconceptions about B&W photography:
1) To create a B&W photo, you just move the color saturation slider all the way to the left
2) Any photo can be made into B&W (see #1 on how to do so)

The fact is, while artistic expression allows you to do whatever makes your little heart sing, it doesn't really work this way. In fact, there will be many instances when choosing a monochromatic format is simply not right for your shot. For instance, photos with colors that are of a similar tone will appear flat & dull when converted (example: reds and greens both appear as gray when desaturated). B&W photos work best with bold contrasts, strong light and rich textures. Of course, that's not to say pics without any of these elements won't resonate, they're simply good features to look for when considering a photo opportunity or possible conversion.

MM now has an new group! And it's open to everyone! Come share your monochromatic posts from April! :)

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Aperture: f/9.0
Focal Length: 24mm
ISO Speed: 320
Lighting: Ambient
Polarizer/Filter: B+W MRC
Exposure: 1/1000
RAW File Processing: Lightroom 3

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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Ch-ch-ch-changes...

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Sat, 29 May 2010 07:19:54 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

Sitting on the plane at the airport, ready for the big adventure to begin. So long, Chicago! Hello, San Francisco!

Thanks for all of your well wishes and words of encouragement! I'll be back up to full Flickr speed this week! :)

Bye-bye on Black

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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Look & think before opening the shutter...the heart & mind are the true lens of the camera.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:31:18 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Yousuf Karsh

I ♥ Chicago Continues! Hello, my long-lost friends! Sorry for disappearing for another week...but with only TWO weeks left before the move, my time is not my own. Thank you all so much for your continued support & well wishes--I promise to find time to visit all your streams soon! :)

The Wrigley Building (back view): Located on Michigan Ave on the Magnificent Mile, this famous Chicago landmark is called "The Jewel of The Mile". The building is clad in 250,000 individual glazed terra cotta tiles, with the two towers joined by an enclosed walkway. It's a must-see for everyone who comes to Chitown, and I will miss it.

Don't Miss It
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From a worldly point of view, there is no mistake so great as that of being always right.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:42:49 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Samuel Butler

"Vanishing Point" Week is now over! Thank you to all of you who shared in this week-long perspective focused on those far off places that look good from a distance.

#2 of 3 photos today: Also in San Fran, this small courtyard between two buildings (in Chicago, we call those alleys) was so amazing during the Golden Hour, with the long shadows and warm tones. Cannot wait to live here (no, not in the alley...in SF)

Get to the point

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The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:25:30 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Oprah Winfrey

"Vanishing Point" Week continues! A week-long perspective focused on those far off places that look good from a distance.

John Hancock Center: Not all vanishing points have to be on a linear horizon. Here's a VP of the second most famous building in Chicago, disappearing up into the sky! The Hancock is a jaw-dropping, 100-story, 1,127-foot skyscraper that is home to offices, restaurants and condominiums...and contains the highest-up residences in the world.

Big Announcement: Speaking of residences, we're changing ours! Yes, we are leaving our beloved Chicago for an exciting move to...San Francisco! Although we'll miss the wonderful people & skyline of the Windy City, we looooove SF and the equally stunning sights and people of the Bay area. So in about 8 weeks, we're packing up & heading West! Look for more San Fran and Chicago pics in the interim as we prepare to say goodbye and hello to both fabulous cities!

So *that's* the point!

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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Let me look upward into the branches of the flowering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly & well.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:31:25 -0800

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Wilfred Peterson

"What's Up With That?" Week Continues! A week-long dedication to upward POVs (both big & small) as I focus on things that are way over my head.

Lincoln Park, Chicago: This is a perfect example of the terrific mixture of both old & new architectural types you see on any given street in Chicago, particularly in our charming neighborhood. The bitter c-c-c-cold adds to the charm.

Up on the roof

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Sometimes life has a way of putting us on our backs to force us to look up.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:32:32 -0800

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Charles L. Allen

"What's Up With That?" Week Continues! A week-long dedication to upward POVs (both big & small) as I focus on things that are way over my head.

Old Churches: Around the world...whether it's a church, synagogue or mosque...to me all houses of worship offer a deep sense of reverence, architectural elegance and stunning attention to detail.

Upward

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Man cannot aspire if he looked down; if he rise, he must look up.

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:29:49 -0800

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Samuel Smiles

It's "What's Up With That?" Week! A week-long dedication to upward POVs (both big & small) as I focus on things that are way over my head.

Trump Tower: Chicago's newest skyscraper, the Trump International Hotel & Tower soars above the city with 92 floors of silvery steel & glass. Unfortunately, most of us Chicagoans think it's as ugly as the Donald's hair.

Uplifting

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© Steven Brisson. Do not use without permission.
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This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are. (Explore, #378)

nobody@flickr.com (StevenBrisson) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:36 -0700

StevenBrisson posted a photo:

~Plato

This is the view a block from my office in downtown Chicago (in an area called the "Loop"). Luckily for me, while having to work late Mother Nature has been putting on a glowy, Autumn sunset show almost every evening this week. Not the perfect lens & fading light, but it was still pretty amazing to capture the yellows & purples bouncing off the concrete, glass & steel.

HGGT! (#2 of 2)

I can see your house from here

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© Steven Brisson. All rights reserved.