I’m in a bit of a gloomy mood today, not only for yesterday’s depressing World Cup loss of Team Germany, that was well deserved and does not leave much room for any hope of going very far in this tournament.
I had this post on my launchpad for quite some time now. Trying to look at New York City in a very different way, I took a creative approach in post-processing. After monochrome conversion of my Olympus RAW files in Lightroom Classic CC, I played with selective blurring and darkening to create this moody series about some ironing NYC sites. To see them all continue after the jump….
As written many times on this blog, the work in the digital darkroom for me is an essential part of my photography. I need this creative playground to help clear my mind in an almost meditative way from the pressure of the job that pays the bill.
I had doing this kind of post-processing on my mind for quite some time. Let me know what you think of this series in the comments, I would really appreciate feedback.
Wish you a great week!
Marcus
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despite of the bad mood, I’ll have to say you took great pictures and assembled them wisely. Good work!
Thank you so much, Flavia, I really appreciate your feedback! Marcus
I can’t wait to visit NYC someday soon. Great post and lovely images.
Thanks, Jimmy, much appreciated! Hope you make it to NYC soon! Marcus
Well done Marcus. B/W gives your pictures just that extra moody flavour. Talking about converting to monochrome: have you tried the Nik Silver Efex. I like the additional power over LR.
I really appreciate your feedback, Jim, thanks so much! I do have the Nik Silver Efex plugins, but rarely use them. Habit I guess, but maybe worth revisiting! Thanks for the input! Marcus
Very nice b/w images. I’ve started playing with the Hypocam cell phone app, to shoot pretty nice looking monochrome images. I cut my teeth on years of B/W film photography (I loved my old Olympus OM-2) so this is a bit of a throwback. Thanks for the inspiration.
Glad you like them, Stephen. And weren’t those old analogue OM’s fantastic machines? An OM-1 was the first cam given to me by my dad. I still own it 🙂
I really like the way that you’ve edited these Marcus! I love how you describe the process as a meditation of sorts. I haven’t spent much time in Lightroom yet, but even in the quick editing version that I have been doing on my photos, I can see how the creative process is quite soothing. 🙂
Meditation indeed, you can call it phototherapy ;-)! Glad that you like them, Amy, thanks! Marcus
Stunning images, hard to pick a favourite as I loved them all. Monochromes add that extra dimension and mood.
Thanks, Jill, so happy you like them! Marcus
Great pictures! Oh, I love New York and you give me a new perspective of it.
Thanks for the wonderful feedback! Marcus
Love the mood, too! You captured the city through this mysterious, moody, dark 🙂 filter or lens. In many ways, these images speak volumes…I believe. Awesome shots as always! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your great feedback, Alina, it means a lot! The mood was created in post-processing. Wish you a splendid Sunday! Marcus
I love your perspective!
Thanks, Cate, as always much appreciated! Marcus
I call it phototherapy, helps no end after a stressful day 🙂 Wonderful captures Marcus. Also, my husband still thinks Germany will win 🙂 Lynne
Thanks, Lynne, phototherapy is a great word! Love it!
Glad you like it Marcus 🙂 Have a great weekend 🙂 Lynne
So far I did, hope you as well! Marcus
Yes thank you, lots of gardening 🙂
I agree about the flatiron picture: its a great combination of unusual angle and the balanced juxtaposition of a lamppost and building. The subjects seem to speak to us of a bygone era, possibly even of different eras from each other. And you have excluded all else so you would not know this was in the City. Timeless and Well done.
I also like the Brooklyn bridge image. I could not have guessed what i was looking at without the title, despite the image of the bridge being so iconic. You found a new way to show it to us!
Thanks, Andrea, love your detailed feedback, so much appreciated! Marcus
You are real good at it, Marcus. Your pictures reminds me of an old coffee table book I have of NY city which dates to 1920-30s. Your pictures recreates similar effect. Good one!
Thanks, Arv! That’s a great compliment! Marcus
😃👍
Wow..Just WOW! Gorgeous pictures !
Thank you so much, Shivani, for your kind words! Highly appreciated! Marcus
Nice assemblage of photos.
Thanks 🙂
Well done, I like the dark moody look.
Thank you, Tim, much appreciated! Marcus
You’re welcome
As some other viewers have already shared, the Flat Iron is most excellent. I like how worded it ” Digital Dark Room”. Have a great week.
Thank you, Cornelia, it means so much! Have a splendid week yourself! Marcus
The flatiron shot is excellent and I like your treatment a lot!
Thanks, so much appreciated!
Love the mood you have created with the photos.
Thank you, Carolyn, I really appreciate your feedback! Marcus
Yes, it’s a different New York City. Marcus, these are dramatic photographs and they have a very special mood which makes them to standout in a very beautiful artistic way.
I understand how you feel; the German team is a very strong team and always was. Sometimes it’s a huge pressure to win which often isn’t helpful.
Thank you for your kind words, so much appreciated! Marcus
The Flat Iron picture is perfect. Love, Love, love it! You nailed it.
Thanks, love your comment 🙂 !!!
I keep coming back to look at the picture! So cool.
Thanks, it means so much!
Incredible shots. I love seeing NYC through your perspective and artistry.
Thank you so much, it means a lot! Marcus
Wow, you’ve really gone over to the dark side here! These are beautiful shots and the darkness creates a very moody, different feel. Have you used a black gradient at the bottom of each photo or is that a vignette effect with the emphasis on the bottom edge? These are all really nice compositions as well
Thanks for your kind words, Stuart, so much appreciated. I did use a black gradient at the bottom – well observed 🙂 ! Marcus
the 9/11 memorial with the white blossom image…while the memories of those lost on that day will fade with each new generation, the beauty of nature’s blossoms will silently speak of the joys and hopes of life.
Thanks, Brenda, beautiful words!
Beautiful B&W’s Marcus! I hope you feel less gloomy soon. 😎
Thanks, John, much appreciated! Marcus