Upstairs at Cragside House

[graeme]

Cragside House, Northumberland UK. Upstairs.

[BobDavid]

#2 & #3 are strong.

[brandtb]

Four is very nice as a stand alone image. That said I think pulled out just slightly would be better (don't know if this is cropped - maybe you have some more room in orig) - so there is a little more space on outer sides of the small lights above and the lower right billiard balls e.g. The others would work as part of a series perhaps...the first with uniform is an interesting image.

[graeme]

Bob & Brandt, thanks for the comments.

Brandt, re 'part of a series'. I started taking snapshots while wandering around historic buildings in the UK ( Usually run by English Heritage or the National Trust ). These places have their own weird vibe: The light levels are kept very low ( blinds on windows & lots of fake candles ) in order to preserve the fixtures, fittings & artworks. They feel quite 'unauthentic' but you can finds some interesting light & shadow in them.

I printed out a few of these images & stuck them on the wall in my work space. After a while I found I was quite intrigued by them & they seem to be forming a series of their own volition. I may put them together into a pdf or handbound book.

[John R]

Graeme, I very much like your images of places. Also like the idea of series, as it shows what can be done when allowed more than one image. Love the subtle lighting and transitions. What I like most is what you described as "light levels are kept very low." My observation is that low light levels are easily handled by the sensor and produce beautiful smooth and subtle gradations. Can't be beat if you like subtlety. This ones below are not quite a historic place, but the inside of the entrance of a church. The window light creates the soft muted transitions. My eye caught this. Simple and minimalist to be sure.

[graeme]

Thanks John. I like the subtle colour in those images, very warm - they feel like they're from a more southern latitude.

Re the low light levels in the places I photograph: A combination of unsteady hands, an ageing crop frame Canon, manual focus lens & 53 year old eyes makes getting a technically acceptable photo challenging. ( I'm normally a tripod guy ). I'm usually working at the upper end of the camera's useable ISO range, but these images will never be printed larger than A4 / 8 x 10" & I seem to be getting away with it.

Another one from Cragside.

[John R]

I really like this last one. At first I thought it was one of those small church statuettes by the window.

JR

[RPark]

Particularly like the mirror image.