Subway Construction
I’ve been trying to concentrate on shooting more photographs with people in them, but there are times when a tiger has to stop being an elephant and shoot what comes naturally. This is the kind of image that comes naturally to me and gives you a glimpse into what catches my eye in a place like a train station.
I feel like there is a lot of tonal and compositional balance in the image and it conveys something, I just don’t know what it is. What do you think? Is there anything here that you like?
I like this photo. Even though, I’d imagine that the location you were at was rather cluttered, this image has a very structured and strong composition. It’s maybe too specific, but this photo does conjure up the feeling I get when I’m in an abandoned area that is usually bustling with activity. Kind of “the calm before the storm.”
I know what you mean about trying to force yourself to shoot certain things, but I think it can go both ways. I feel more comfortable and enjoy shooting more when I’m taking pictures like this one (meaning found compositions where people are not the main element). However, I’m often happier with my results when I work out of my comfort zone and take candid photos of people. The limit to this is posed photos with people where I dislike taking the photo AND I usually dislike the results as well.
@bryan
Thanks for the comment. I changed the look of the blog and I’m off of hiatus, by the way
The image is from a train station in Seoul — one of the main train stations in the city. They’ve been working for a few months to create a new subway transfer but they’re finished now. There is still some left-over space they haven’t done anything with (this photograph, for example) and I don’t know if they have plans to do anything with that platform. Every time I’m there, though, I notice that empty, construction-weathered platform and wish I had my camera. That day I finally had it. It has a symmetry and balance the I really liked.
I’ve always loved this type of architectural photography and am just drawn to the compositions and feeling of stillness and loneliness. The head of the photography department at Columbia College in Chicago has some famous series with images like this one. Click here to check out some of his work.