NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: armando_m on June 23, 2018, 18:20:52

Title: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 23, 2018, 18:20:52
Travel to central México

San Luis Potosí , Plaza del Carmen
 
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: ArthurDent on June 23, 2018, 18:52:50
I like the look, it reminds me of a 19th century engraving, like something one might see on an old (pre-color) stock certificate.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Fons Baerken on June 23, 2018, 20:05:54
Well done conversion. 8)
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Akira on June 23, 2018, 23:18:57
Interesting image.  To my eye, it looks too contrasty, but, considering the sunlight stronger than in any places of Japan, that can be felt more natural for the tropic eyes.

Also, I feel that the image is tilted very slightly clockwise.  But that may contribute to the majestic feel of the entrance with the Corinthian columns by making the whole thing slightly facing upwards.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 24, 2018, 14:54:17
Thanks for the comments

Yes it is tilted and could not decide which column to use as a reference, I should probably just rotate it freely until it looks straight

Zacatecas- Plaza with outdoor cafe - no crazy contrast this time
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Akira on June 24, 2018, 15:19:14
Yes it is tilted and could not decide which column to use as a reference, I should probably just rotate it freely until it looks straight

Zacatecas- Plaza with outdoor cafe - no crazy contrast this time

In general, I would use a perpendicular line closest to the center of the image as a reference.

I like the atmosphere of the second image.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 24, 2018, 16:45:27
There is a Transform tool in both ACR and in Lr that lets you correct two verticals (and/or two horizontals as well) so you are not limited to merely rotating an image.

This is how two verticals correction Guides could straighten the buildings in your photograph.

(http://nikongear.net/revival/gallery/0/1358-240618163337-621914.jpeg)

There is always the very real possibility that the buildings in that earth-quake-prone area are no longer entirely perpendicular in reality?

Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 24, 2018, 17:27:27
There is a Transform tool in both ACR and in Lr that lets you correct two verticals (and/or two horizontals as well) so you are not limited to merely rotating an image.

This is how two verticals correction Guides could straighten the buildings in your photograph.

...

There is always the very real possibility that the buildings in that earth-quake-prone area are no longer entirely perpendicular in reality?
Thanks Ann, of course there is the transform tool, I keep forgetting it, thanks for the reminder

This area is not that prone to earthquakes  and the ground is mostly rock, if I were in Mexico city the building are so obviously out of vertical that it is scary
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Akira on June 24, 2018, 17:59:35
Ann, thank you for the advice.

I do have used the transform tool but only when I failed to align the camera correctly against, say, a building, and that made both horizontal and vertical perspectives funky.

Also, I've heard from an experienced LF photographer that the very slight convergence of the vertical lines of buildings would help the image feel natural than the perfectly corrected vertical lines.  And I would agree with him.  So, the simple rotation of the image could suffice in this particular case?
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 24, 2018, 18:28:43
My feeling is that distortion should either be very deliberate and extreme (such as straight-up shots of converging skyscrapers overhead or the use of a Fisheye); but that distortion should normally be corrected for architectural, packaging and product shots in general.

My reaction almost certainly results from years of using monorail cameras which have full controls for perspective, DOF and converging verticals and I am distinctly uncomfortable with the unintended distortion of geometry which has resulted from the limitations imposed by fixed-back cameras.

Although modern software does offer tools which help to overcome these problems,  large-format monorails (with both front and back movements) actually handled these optical corrections more effectively.

Title: Re: Central México
Post by: pluton on June 24, 2018, 20:12:43


My reaction almost certainly results from years of using monorail cameras which have full controls for perspective, DOF and converging verticals and I am distinctly uncomfortable with the unintended distortion of geometry which has resulted from the limitations imposed by fixed-back cameras.

Although modern software does offer tools which help to overcome these problems,  large-format monorails (with both front and back movements) actually handled these optical corrections more effectively.

If I may add: The typical large format lenses also have microscopically small amounts of distortion compared to DSLR lenses.  With DSLRs, it is common to have tilted buildings AND curved lines. 24x36 mirrorless cameras have a better selection of distortion-free lenses available.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 25, 2018, 02:55:17
I also find the AWA (Adaptive Wide Angle) Filter helpful for straightening distorted and curved architectural elements  and to correct planes in interiors. It's a bit tricky to get the hang of but quite useful once you understand how it works.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 25, 2018, 03:11:03
During my trip I only had the with me the consumer 24-85VR zoom and talking about mirrorless there were moments when I envied my daughter and her little Olympus epl1, until light went low and the D800 sensor and the VR ran circles around the little epl1

Organ at the San Luis Potosí cathedral-  1/13 sec handheld

Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 25, 2018, 15:11:17
You have remarkably steady hands — and VR!

You have captured the full richness and subtle tones of the highly polished wood, painted walls and metal pipes.
Beautifully shot and processed.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Akira on June 25, 2018, 15:47:09
Armando, I would echo Ann's comment.  Gorgeous organ and interior!
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 25, 2018, 15:58:32
Thanks for the comments, this time i did some work on the perspective to make it look more natural, what I'm learning is that I'll need to plan and leave a bit more space on my crops as some space will be lost

The VR on that lens is quite remarkable, although it took two tries to get a sharp image, I just need to remember to turn it off when shooting at higher speeds
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 26, 2018, 14:48:09
The old prison building is now used as a museum with a permanent display of the work of the surreal artist Leonora Carrington

Here are a few images
- patio
- Main sculpture
- another sculpture
- reflection
- my reflection
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 27, 2018, 16:21:13
What a great way to re-purpose an old building!

The sculptures are fascinating because, while they are so very modern in their treatment, they bear an extremely close relationship to pre-Columbian ceramics from the same region. This is especially evident in the treatment of the eyes and beaks as well as the over-all forms.

I don't know whether any detail existes in the shadows but lightening them a little might enhance the third dimensionality of these pieces?
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 27, 2018, 22:31:57
What a great way to re-purpose an old building!

The sculptures are fascinating because, while they are so very modern in their treatment, they bear an extremely close relationship to pre-Columbian ceramics from the same region. This is especially evident in the treatment of the eyes and beaks as well as the over-all forms.

I don't know whether any detail existes in the shadows but lightening them a little might enhance the third dimensionality of these pieces?
another image with brighter shadows
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: basker on June 27, 2018, 22:44:03
another image with brighter shadows

That was a very nice demonstration. Thanks!
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 27, 2018, 22:47:46
I very much like the brighter shadows!

I felt that the very heavy blacks (in the earlier set) bit-into and visually changed and distorted the actual shapes of the sculptures.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 27, 2018, 23:15:22
Real de Catorce was the next town we visited, a mining town that started around 1770x
It is of very hard access until early 1900 when a long tunnel is dug on the mountains that surrounds it, and today still  the only easy access
Sometime in the early 1900's the mine flooded, halting any progress, it is until the 1970s when the town is focused on tourism

1. Fountain
2. All buildings look like that, imagine the feeling when the hotel looks like that... but the interior is nicely renovated with comfortable and modern facilities
3. Night sky from the hotel roof terrace
4. Traditional art
5. Old photo exposition
6. Driving through the desert
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on June 28, 2018, 02:13:31
I love the textures and shapes of those old buildings and you did a great job balancing exposures for earth and sky in the night-shot.
Was that one exposure or a combination of several?
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on June 28, 2018, 05:34:24
Thnks for the comments

2 exposures for the night shot
- sky and mountains in one
- the town in another
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Jakov Minić on June 29, 2018, 12:07:40
Armando, i thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. You have an eye for great compositions!
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on July 05, 2018, 19:19:52
Thanks Jakov

Downtown SLP is not busy after 9pm
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Ann on July 05, 2018, 21:05:55
A most attractive scene and a beautiful balance of shadows and highlights.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Anthony on July 06, 2018, 11:51:27
Fascinating series, Armando, thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: Akira on July 06, 2018, 14:27:51
Love the atmosphere of the old photo exposition and the downtown street scene!
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on July 06, 2018, 15:11:27
Ann, Anthony, Akira, thanks for your comments
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: golunvolo on July 06, 2018, 20:45:29
Very enjoyable series Armando. The road shot and specially the last night shot I like a lot.


  Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Central México
Post by: armando_m on July 06, 2018, 21:35:02
Thanks Paco