Sixteen years ago at the tender age of 26 I set out for Los Angeles in what was to be the great experiment of my life. I had just graduated medical school and was headed for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for my pediatric residency. In every way I was breaking free from my comfort zone. I’d never lived in a large city, I’d never strayed far from a tightly-woven community, and I’d never really tested myself. All of that was to change and my life is so much richer for the decision.
A few weeks ago I visited LA for a meeting and passed the US Postal Service Terminal Annex on Alameda Street. I frequented the area during my time in Los Angeles often for culinary reasons. Within a hop, skip and a jump of the Annex is historic Olvera Street and some very tasty burritos, Chinatown and some really scrumptious dim sum and Philippe’s where you’ll find (by their account) the birthplace of the French Dip sandwich. If you’re ever there and are okay with eating meat I can highly recommend the lamb dip with blue cheese. I digress. I saw this old building and snapped a few shots before my meeting. When I got home and began playing with it I kept moving out of my comfort zone. I tend to avoid dramatic adjustments in post favoring instead rather standard approaches. With this building, however, I slowly became excited by adjustments not typical for me. I did not apply any specific filter but simply played with sliders in CS5′s B&W tool and wound up with what is essentially an infrared style image. I like it and I’m a bit surprised by that.
In a tiny homage to my grand LA experiment I’m posting a bit of a photographic experiment. What’s life without a little adventure?
Happy 2011!!
37 Comments
I especially like how the lettering on the structure has a shadow. Works well in greyscale.
Thanks Sherri–the shadowing on the signage is one of my favorite elements too!
That’s exactly what this is all about – experimenting and pushing your boundaries. The image has a haunting feel and I definitely see the infared/negative vibe. Great post – keep challenging yourself!
Thanks so much Michael! As always I really appreciate the support and I’ll hurl it right back at you–good luck pushing boundaries in 2011!!
Got to agree the image does have haunty feel to it..
Pushing yourself is always a good thing i think.
Thanks Dave!
I definitely agree that the lettering and numbers have a really interesting quality to them with this treatment. That and the dramatic statement the structure is making against the void above is spectacular. Happy 2011 to you too!
Appreciate that d. k.!
what a cool bw rendering, mystic image!
Thanks much yz!
Wow – amazing transformation! Best wishes for you and your family – keep shooting and experimenting, I’m so curious of your captures in 2011!
Thanks Nicki–and to you as well! Always looking forward to seeing what you’ll capture next.
Happy New Year Chris!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Fabrizio–Happy New Year!
Très très beau traitement. Bravo l’artiste !
Tous mes voeux pour cette nouvelle année.
Merci beaucoup et mes meilleurs voeux pour l’année 2011 à toi aussi!
Both the adventure and the experimentation resulted in a wonderful image. So very creative! Wishing you and yours all the best in the coming new year!
Thanks so much Marcie–Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!! What year did you graduate medical school?? I interviewed in 99 at LA Childrens for residency!!
Hi Sheila–Happy New Year! We probably just missed each other. I finished my chief residency in 98 though I stayed on as a member of the transport team for a year or so. Where did you wind up going for residency?
Eastern Virginia at CHKD a Children’s hospital that serviced the eastern seaboard. It was a great experience and I got to stay close to the navy placement of my husband!
Great souvenirs & treatment here, the sensation is strange, surreal, great mono & luminous one – - – just like the new Year i wish you and your sweet family, Christopher.
Thanks so much k@! Happy New Year to you as well!
And you have every reason to like it as well! It has come out really nice & swell & has a very appealing surrealistic aura to it. The only thing that could have worked a bit more powerfully, perhaps, is the angle…
Have a wonderful 2011!
Thank you so much Sumedh–I really appreciate this comment. I agree that the processing is dramatic but perhaps my composition is a bit mundane. Happy New Year!!
Oooh… the incredible contrast here proves that sometimes it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone. Great idea! The long gray shadows really bring it to life for me. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Corinna! Happy New Year!
An interesting experiment indeed.
Happy New Year, Christopher!
Thanks PixeLuz! Happy New Year!
Oh I do like your writing…the answer is life is nothing without a little adventure. It keeps us young, sane and curious – even when we’re older.
I perfer the idea that life is NOT a rehearsal, and we need to make the most of it. If I’m proven wrong then that’s a bonus I guess, I can do it all again!
I like your treatment of the US Postal Service Terminal – the black sky and frothy trees add some nice extra touches.
Thank you for your visits and comments over the year, they’ve been greatly appreciated. I hope you and your family have a very Happy New Year.
Thanks very much George for this and all your generous visits. I hope you have a wonderful 2011 and enjoy your first full year of grandparenthood to the fullest!
looks very muck like an infrared picture. Well done. Happy New Year
Hi Krunal–you’re right, it’s essentially an infrared. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Love the effect – iooks like an infrared shot. I think it’s fabulous that you’re experimenting a bit in post.
Thanks Kala–I’ll keep swinging for the bleachers though I’m afraid sometimes it will look like I’m swatting flies!
Great IR effect.
Thanks Klaus!