black and white – Page 5

The Bean

If you’ve been to Chicago you’ve been to the Cloud Gate, otherwise known as The Bean. I made several quick edits to the original. The lens distortion was making the steps of the sidewalk bow, so I used the Lens Correction tool in Lightroom to straighten everything out. I increased the clarity and contrast. IContinue reading “The Bean”

Modes of transport

When a picture is busy I like turning it into black and white. It simplifies. Although it’s fun to look at the picture and study everything. I increased the clarity and contrast (which I also like to do on urban shots, it seems), and lightened the shadows and blacks (which upping the contrast tends toContinue reading “Modes of transport”

Grate

Once again – lines. Why have a boring grate when you can have a geometric one? The original wasn’t much different. I made it black and white and increased the clarity. I decreased the contrast to be able to see some of the metal of the grate underneath. I increased the highlights and whites and madeContinue reading “Grate”

Balconies

They’re so cute! I love this building. Doing some quick Google research, I believe this is an apartment building. It’s located in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington D.C. The original, below, was cute enough, but I cropped in to eliminate most of the building on the right. I love the yellow and will feature thatContinue reading “Balconies”

Spoke

I love urban photography. I don’t get out and shoot in urban settings as much as I’d like. Several years ago a friend and I went on a group “photo safari” to Adams Morgan in DC. I was so excited tonight when I looked through the next batch of June pics to find some to edit.Continue reading “Spoke”

Gateway to the West

Apparently this is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest man-made monument in the United States! 630 ft (190 meters) tall. Those black rectangles are windows that you can peek out of once you’re at the top. The original looked good in color, but I love how the steel lends itself to black andContinue reading “Gateway to the West”