close iframe icon
approved icon thextrathird avatar
thextrathird
Chocolate Heaven
Banner

Chocolate Heaven



behind the lens badge
upload_dateSep, 2014

Views

1108

Likes

Awards

Superb Composition
Cotysplace Albert-Serra-Photography Lillymeg adamyoung tropicala AliceK aplrichard +10
Absolute Masterpiece
Lloyd_Blackburn larryollivier irogeorgiadou Houndog solangel1 lizaotrefy MKYoung
Top Choice
eelcovanroden Mona-M paulosborne geertweggen MED59
Outstanding Creativity
KonstantinSokolov vbpbeetschen1305821 KayBrewer
All Star
KenBrakefield KristinaOers
Superior Skill
ashtonkaleigh nickolaskarambelas
Exceptional Contrast
leetomkow
Magnificent Capture
BowenParker
Peer Award
livioferrari
Genius
Confalonieri

Top Ranks

Walking Down The Street Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Walking Down The Street Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Walking Down The Street Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Black and White Leading Lines Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Streets And Architecture Photo ContestTop 10 rank
View more
Streets And Architecture Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Black and White City Life Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Black and White City Life Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Best Shot Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
ViewBug HQ Photo ContestTop 30 rank
ViewBug HQ Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Perspectives Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Street Photography Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Shadows and People Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Shadows and People Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Shadows and People Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Fstoppers Volume 5 Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Fstoppers Volume 5 Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Adore Noir Volume 3 Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Amateurs Vol 5 Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Amateurs Vol 5 Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Human Silhouettes Photo Contest by WestcottTop 30 rank
Amateurs Vol 5 Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Photographer Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 4Top 30 rank week 2
Human Silhouettes Photo Contest by WestcottTop 30 rank week 1

Categories

3 Comments |
KayBrewer Platinum
 
KayBrewer October 10, 2014
super street photography and BW - I especially like the way the guy walking is prominent while others are kinda in the haze
voted Photog of Month 4
thextrathird
thextrathird October 10, 2014
Thank you Gracie, I have to admit to this being one of my favourites
KayBrewer Platinum
 
KayBrewer October 17, 2014
voted Amateurs 5
KayBrewer Platinum
 
KayBrewer October 17, 2014
and Silhouettes

Submitted to Photo Contests
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken on a street called The Shambles in York, UK. A fantastic place, steeped in history, which has kept all the charm of the old ways. As a self-taught photographer, each time I go out I face new challenges; sometimes it all comes together.

Time

This is one of my favourite places to shoot; you can spend hours walking along the cobbles of this short stretch. As you can see, the buildings get closer the higher they go; a step in any direction can change the way the light and shadows fall so you have to be alert to all possibilities. This was taken on a January 13, 2013 just before lunchtime. A cold day with a bright winter sun, perfect conditions really.

Lighting

All the lighting is natural and was very concentrated down by the buildings surrounding the scene, creating the rim light on the lone gentleman walking in the centre of the image. The high contrast made me think immediately of black and white and I believe this is what makes the image.

Equipment

This was shot on an Olympus E30, with a 14-54mm F2.8 … and a wall to steady myself from the chilly weather.

Inspiration

The whole atmosphere on The Shambles is one of “the land that time forgot”. Apart from the obvious, and unfortunately necessary, modern extras like building alarms you get a feeling of stepping back in time when you are there. Everything seems to slow down, people dawdling along, browsing the shop windows. The curve in the cobbled pathway and the way the buildings seem to lean in very much focuses the eye, you get drawn in to the street wondering what is just up ahead. It is almost as if you are going to walk into a black and white movie as you disappear around the corner.

Editing

The only post processing was done in LR5 and that was a black and white conversion followed by lowering the highlights and raising the shadows slightly.

In my camera bag

When I took this shot the only equipment I carried was my E30 and my trusty 14-54 f2.8. It was just as I was starting out and apart from a couple of kit lenses it was all I had. I still have the camera and lens and they get used occasionally but I now predominantly carry my Olympus O-MD E-M1 along with 75mm, 45mm and 17mm f1.8 primes. The m4/3rds system is a significant weight reduction over the 4/3rds DSLR but the quality of the camera and the glass is second to none; throw in the weather sealing and I find it covers all I could want.

Feedback

Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the same place and don’t be afraid to walk backwards and forwards through your scene looking and framing different shots. The way the light falls can change very quickly and will completely alter how things look. A lot of people say early mornings or late evenings are the best times to shoot, but you need to assess your surroundings and see where the light is coming from in order to discover what will work best in your situation. Most importantly, be patient.

See more amazing photos, follow thextrathird

User photo
It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.