Downtown Brooklyn

Related SML
+ SML Flickr Tags: Construction
+ SML Flickr Tags: Demolition
+ SML Flickr Tags: Downtown Brooklyn
+ SML Flickr Sets: SML Forms
+ SML Photo Blog: NYC

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary (Wikipedia) is considered one of America's most historic former prisons. It was the world's first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence - or true regret - in the hearts of criminals. the original seven cellblocks spread like the spokes of a wheel, and had running water and central heat before the White House.

Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone. The prison stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and a surprising, eerie beauty.

I had a chance to visit the place thanks because Novaid Kahn (Flickr:numbphoto / SML Flickr) offered to drive me there. The day before the trip, I met up with Aaron Johnson (Flickr:Erotocrat / SML Flickr) for the first time, and I asked him to come along.

Check out the full set on Flickr. Detailed description of the photos are included on the Flickr photo page. Here are some highlights.

Hallway

Hub at the Center

Typical cell

The cell of Al Capone

Abstracts

HDR

The extreme lighting condition at the Eastern State Penitentiary (Flickr set) makes a fine candidate of creating some HDR photos. I'm glad that I brought my tripod!

ESP Photo Trip Camera Bag

See Flickr notes for equipment details

Novaid Kahn

Aaron Johnson

SML Me!

Photo Credit: Aaron Johnson

Related SML
+ SML Collections: SML Location
+ SML Flickr Sets: Eastern State Penitentiary
+ SML Flickr Tags: Eastern State Penitentiary

Hong Kong: Architecture / 2008 / SML

I went to Hong Kong in March, 2008. Here are some of the city's architecture captured during the visit.

View from the peak


Hong Kong International Airport


Hong Kong Hang Seng Bank Headquarters


Four Seasons Hotel


Hong Kong Cultural Center


Related SML Universe
+ SML Flickr Set: Architecture
+ SML Flickr Set: Hong Kong

Manhattan Bridge HDR / SML

Manhattan Bridge HDR / SML, originally uploaded by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML.

Manhattan Bridge HDR

Setup
Canon EOS 10D
Canon 17-40 f/4L

Exposure Settings
CRW_35498: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/9.5, 17mm
CRW_35499: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/13, 17mm
CRW_35500: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/6.7, 17mm

Variations
black and white version

Background
When I shot these photos, I did not have a timer cable release with me. If I were to shoot these at a small aperture, I would have to set the camera on bulb while keeping my finger on the shutter release for the entire exposure. To minimize the risk of completely ruining the photos, I've decided to vary the aperture values for the different exposures instead of varying the time and keeping a constant aperture value.

HDR Processing
Note that it is generally not recommended that you vary the aperture values for images intended for HDR processing. If you use software like Photomatix to perform tone-mapping, for example, the varying levels of focus on the photo will create blurry results. I have had to apply a bit more USM than usual for this image. And if you view large, you can see that the grains are quite visible.

Results
I am happy with the HDR result though--the wider aperture gave it enough exposure to show the golden reflection under the bridge, and the small aperture contribute to the oh-so-gorgeous star bursts from the lights.

Related Sets + Collection
Manhattan Bridge, New York City / Project (Set)
HDR Photography / Project (Set)
SML Photography (set)

SML Copyright Notice
Copyright 2005-2006 See-ming Lee (Blog / Facebook / Google / LinkedIn). All rights reserved.

SML Copyright Notice©2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Photo Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.

Brooklyn Bridge Sunset HDR / SML

Brooklyn Bridge Sunset HDR / SML, originally uploaded by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML.

Setup
Canon EOS 10D
Canon 70-200 f/4L
Manfrotto 3021BPRO

Exposure Settings
100mm, ISO 100

CRW_40087: 0.3 s, f/8
CRW_40088: 1/6 s, f/8
CRW_40089: 0.7 s, f/8
CRW_40090: 1.5 s, f/16
CRW_40091: 0.7 s, f/16
CRW_40092: 3.0 s, f/16

File name
CRW_40087-40092_01

Related Flickr Sets
HDR Photography (Set)
SML Photography (Set)

Related Flickr Collection
Flickr Analytics (Collection)
SML Collection (Collection)

SML Content Syndication
You may syndicate this content for non-commercial purposes. Commercial usage will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

SML Copyright Notice
Copyright 2006 See-ming Lee (Blog / Facebook / Google / LinkedIn). All rights reserved.

SML Copyright Notice

Copyright 2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Photo Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.

Manhattan Bridge HDR / BW1 / SML

Manhattan Bridge HDR / BW1 / SML, originally uploaded by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML.

Manhattan Bridge HDR / BW1

Setup
Canon EOS 10D
Canon 17-40 f/4L

Exposure Settings
CRW_35498: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/9.5, 17mm
CRW_35499: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/13, 17mm
CRW_35500: ISO 100, 30.0 s at f/6.7, 17mm

Variations
color version

Background
When I shot these photos, I did not have a timer cable release with me. If I were to shoot these at a small aperture, I would have to set the camera on bulb while keeping my finger on the shutter release for the entire exposure. To minimize the risk of completely ruining the photos, I've decided to vary the aperture values for the different exposures instead of varying the time and keeping a constant aperture value.

HDR Processing
Note that it is generally not recommended that you vary the aperture values for images intended for HDR (Wikipedia: High dynamic imaging) processing. If you use software like Photomatix to perform tone-mapping, for example, the varying levels of focus on the photo will create blurry results. I have had to apply a bit more USM (Wikipedia: Unsharp Mask) than usual for this image. And if you view large, you can see that the grains are quite visible.

HDR Results
I am happy with the HDR result though--the wider aperture gave it enough exposure to show the golden reflection under the bridge, and the small aperture contribute to the oh-so-gorgeous star bursts from the lights.

Black + White Processing
By using Photoshop's channel mixer for the black and white conversion, I was able to manipulate the the local contrast further. The absence of color united the tonal values of the two orthogonal axis of the bridge. The overall composition seems to have improved, and now looks like a giant extruded plus sign with very heavy industrial ornaments.

B+W Results
The result is very rewarding and I'd like to thank Moxette for her suggestion to process this as a black and white photograph. :)

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Related Flickr Sets
Manhattan Bridge, New York City / Project (Set)
HDR Photography / Project (Set)
SML Photography (Set)

Related Flickr Collections
Flickr Analytics / SML (Collection)
SML Collection (Collection)

Related SML Pro Blog entries
Functional = Beautiful
HDR: Manhattan Bridge in Black and White
Manhattan Bridge HDR
Photography = Composition
Photography / Philosophy
SML Collection = See-ming Lee + Design + Technology + Marketing Strategy
Theorizing aesthetics

SML Content Syndication
You may syndicate this content for non-commercial purposes. Commercial usage will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Manhattan Bridge HDR / 20060618.10D.40140-40142 / SML

Manhattan Bridge HDR / 20060618.10D.40140-40142 / SML, originally uploaded by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML.

SML Copyright Notice

Copyright 2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Photo Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.