Creativity
After street protests in St Louis, many businesses along Grand had been vandalized, broken windows, looting etc. Many businesses boarded up their windows, even ...
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After street protests in St Louis, many businesses along Grand had been vandalized, broken windows, looting etc. Many businesses boarded up their windows, even if they had not been damaged, as further protests were looming on the horizon. In the following days, many artists turned out to turn this into an amazing vista. Late afternoon sun bathes this scene as she works... Post processing for added visual interest.
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May, 2015Views
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Awards
Top Shot Award 22
Winner in Street Art Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
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BizzlePhotography
May 24, 2015
Its amazing how well the colors blend together in this shot. Almost looks like an entire painting at first.
tonyafricano
May 28, 2015
Beautifully depicts how light & creativity sometimes arises from the darkest of events.. Love this shot! Well Done!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Windows had been broken and looting had occurred. The neighborhood was in a state of shock. Following events of civil unrest and amidst fears of more to come, windows, broken and not, were being boarded up. People were out in force, making their presence known. Artists, sight seers, photographers, local residents, visitors, all seemed to have a role in this. This is the second of three images of this particular window, taken over three days in my neighborhood along the east side of Grand in St Louis.Time
This was in November and while the weather was not yet cold there was a chill in the air. Mid-afternoon seemed the likeliest part of the day for comfort and people activities. On the previous day, I had gone out around three but on this day I waited until about four. There were more people out and more progress had been made on the various art projects. This image was shot on November 29th, 2014 at 4:18 pm.Lighting
Although on the previous day, the light was good, the sun was still just a bit too high. Over-hanging awnings cast too much shadow on certain windows. Today was better. The sun was lower, with less down shadowing. I was really pleased with the shadow length and in this image the effect is seen. I stood and watched her working for a while, watching her shadow paint brush, dip in to join her efforts in perfect unison.Equipment
I’m using a Nikon D90 with a NIKKOR 18-105mm lens. No flash, no tripod, just me free-handing it.Inspiration
The inspiration was drawn from the events of the times. A desire to get out there and see this part of life,, to be immersed in it, to feel it, experience it, capture it. I had already made it my business to get out and photograph the unrest as it occurred. The feeling is no less so for the aftermath. Here, the proverbial smoke has cleared, and we can see the finer part of life reasserting itself.Editing
The original image had fine detail. For me it seemed to be too much detail. The feeling of this moment was not in the detail but in the overall impression it made. I used Lightroom to remove the detail and allow the essential elements to meld together, color, form, shadow. I can’t really say exactly what I did, as each and every image I edit in Lightroom is different and is treated differently. I only know what I am groping for at that moment and on occasion I manage to do it right.In my camera bag
Bag? I have no bag. I carry my camera on a strap, on my shoulder. The lens I intend to use is on the camera, cap in place. I rarely use a tripod outdoors. Keeping it simple I guess suits my needs.Feedback
Wow, advice? I would hope similar captures were not part of anyone’s world. This shot is the culmination of horrific events both near and far, feeding into life’s ongoing struggle… If you want to take these shots, first be safe. Pick a time when there will be others present, stick to day shooting if you can, and take advantage of the sunny side of the street. I’d say, do not carry more equipment than you need as less equipment attracts less attention. If you have time, take your time, move around, search for that moment… be aware and safe.
