Time for another delve into the Archive of my last decade of Lightroom images. What spurred me on this time was a new Instagram hub (https://www.instagram.com/brutifulbirmingham/) which concentrates on Brutal images from the past and present (not that there’s much left!).
I know I’ve published a number of Central Library images – but I knew that there are many I’ve discounted previously – so time for a revisit.
Brutal StepsZigguratZigguratBrutal Desks
All images were taken on the same night during a 4am Project visit to the library complex. Images shot on combination that I never really liked, my Canon Eos 5D MkII and 17-40 f/4 L lens.
The last image is a pano of 3 images rather than a fisheye.
I almost forgot to post this – below are the entries for the YPS Digital 4th Quarterly competition…….
The OfficeTram Dodger
Both images are taken using the X-E3 and XF27mm – Corrected and processed using a combination of Lightroom, Photoshop and Nik Efex.
Should be an interesting close to the Quarterly competitions – potentially the digital section could be won by 6 or so members.
/Update: The judge like both images, but the stray foot in the Office image was enough to condemn it, the Tram Dodger however was commended – might have done better if the Seagulls were cloned out. Might try it as a print next year to see what happens.
Possibly a new feature based on me being lazy is upon us. Behold Images pretty much straight out of the Fuji X-E3 (Cropped a bit to correct my internal leaning!)
Paternoster Row
Pin board or Selfridges
Selfridges and Bonus Bird
Discs
Path to the back of the Odeon
Needless Alley
Never Shopped Here
All images taken using the Fuji X-E3, XF27 f/2.8 Len – Acros Mode + Red Filter
The fisheye lens is one of those marmite things – you know the analogy so I won’t bother. As I’m purely in the positive side of that analogy I’m back in the fisheye game – thanks to a 2nd hand purchase of a Samyang 8mm f2.8 UMC Fish-eye II.
It’s one of the gaps in the Fuji X system plugged by a few manufacturers so there’s no need for an OEM lens to be rushed out. In the fully electronic world of modern cameras the Samyang is a totally manual lens – anyone that’s ever used a fisheye however will realise this is a non-issue as you often shoot at f/8 and 1m to infinity so the world is pretty much in focus regardless. The only issue with a manual lens is the lack of Exif information being passed back to the body.
Construction wise, it’s a solid lens – well built, controls move well and the aperture ring is nice and simple. The lens hood is superb with a locking mechanism which Canon could have done with the adding to the old EF 15mm (although that originally came out in the 1980’s – so maybe I’m been too critical of them!). The odd bit is a clear plastic/metal underneath section at the base – looks a bit odd, but looks are unimportant as this is just a lens.
Image wise, I’m impressed. I’ve not gone down the pixel peeping route as frankly I can’t be bothered. For me it’s a great replacement for the old Canon unit.
Click on the images below for a larger view.
Corporation Street – Early morning desolation. (Nik Efex Viveza and HDR Single Image Toned)Old Square – Too early for the drinkers (Nik Efex Viveza used)
