Trumped

Posted on Feb.11, 2013, under Architecture

(Nikon D800, 28-300mm at 68mm, Exposure 1/400 sec @ f/4.8, ISO 100)

This shot of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, Illinois was taken on a late sunny winter’s day. The sky was still a deep blue which created a nice background for the building. I took several shots, most in a ‘normal’ orientation, but then I decided to capture just a section of the building on an angle. I debated about whether to just work with the color version of the image, but after I experimented with black and white I decided that was the direction to go. Processing was mostly accomplished in Photoshop via Silver Efex Pro 2. The first thing I did was darken the sky by reducing the blue sensitivity. The building had a lot of blue in it as well, so I added several control points to bring back some exposure to some of the darker areas. The only thing I’m a little unhappy with is the loss of the distinctive ‘bands’ of windows that you can clearly see in the color version. I think the only way I could highlight the bands in a black and white version would be to make the building much brighter overall and keep the bands dark. I might experiment with that, but I also like the dark look of the building so I might just sacrifice the bands.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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Copyright ©2013 James W. Howe – All rights reserved

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3 Comments

  • Mark Summerfield says:
    February 11, 2013 at 2:13 pm
    I think the B&W treatment is definitely the roue to go with this image. The color one, admittedly not fully processed, does not have anywhere near the impact of the monochrome.
    Mark Summerfield recently posted…Lockhouse 6, C&O Ohio Canal
    Reply
  • John Barclay says:
    February 11, 2013 at 3:32 pm
    While I really like the content of the image a lot…. I’m curious, why have you put this building on its side? I realize its a graphic, abstract design but I still know it a building… and for me I’m struggling with it a bit for that reason…
    Reply
    • James Howe says:
      February 11, 2013 at 5:16 pm
      I shot this building at the end of the day walking around Chicago. I did several ‘normal’ perspective shots of buildings including this one. I just decided to have a little fun and try one on an angle. I have a similar shot of the clock tower of the Wrigley Building. Just wanted something a little more dynamic.
      Reply

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