Deux Choix
ISO 1600 50mm f/5.6 1/80sec
The beauty of shooting more and more at iso 1600, is when the situation truly calls for it Im no longer intimidated to get the shot. Originally if I had to go anything higher than 800 I would typically avoid shooting, thinking the quality would be absolutely horrid. But I’ve conquered this fear, and can honestly say Im comfortable with 1600, as you may have noticed with more and more of my shots recently. I think its obvious to say its grown on me, and Im completely fine with that 🙂
I found this scene tucked into an entrance way on one of the buildings downtown, and thought it was rather humorous to have such a dominant arrow pointing to the only control available, as if there were any other options. Like I mentioned in previous posts, Im a sucker when it comes to brick textures! Fun fact: My dream office will have a single brick wall… even if I have to build it myself! 🙂 Alright back to the story.. Being inset into the building its shielded pretty well from the outdoor elements keeping the arrow nice and crisp. Luckily the building across the way had some wonderful windows that helped in kicking the light back into this otherwise dark opening.
Its such a graphically strong scene, its as if it were just waiting to be photographed. I cant help but get inspired by it for my design work even. Beautiful texture, bold color and statement and wonderful positioning! What more could you ask for?… How about a French title! Why? Because French words make everything cooler!
That’s a wonderful shot, I like it a lot.
Thanks Lorna!
Couldn’t agree more, Nick. Sometimes we nail it and no one notices, other times it okay but not great and others think it’s awesome. My tip for the day: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” 😉 and the rest of that tip is: “There’s no accounting for taste, even my own.”
I love graphics so I am drawn to your work. 😀
Haha, I dont expect everyone to find enjoyment in everything I produce. Thats the beauty of it all, its to my liking. For everyone else its take it or leave it 😉
Exactly!! That’s the beauty of having a photographers’ eye, finding so many cool things that so many completely miss. 😉
Exactly!! 😉
Hi Nick,thank You very much for following! Great blog you’ve got here!
Thanks Alina!
Great shot! I always use ISO 1600 inside.
Thanks Cornelia! Yea you cant really get around that much.
This kind of scenario is amazing with high iso, and it is amazing the framing, texture and colours that you captured. Great one 🙂
Thanks Filipe! I always love your detailed yet to the point comments 🙂
great textures and colours but I can’t help but wiondering if it would work better in black and white, I could be wrong though what do you think?
I wondered the same thing, but when I converted it over it lost something. I don’t know if its the red that adds the extra ingredient or what but in my opinion the color version is where its at this time 🙂
maybe it’s just me and my current black and white obsession, I still like it as is though. Keep them coming, I’m gaining inspiration by the day.
Haha, that could be 🙂 Thanks for your kind words!
Nicely composed.
Thanks Bill!
I never thought of it, but 1600 ISO and up can actually enhance color and texture in subject matter such as this. Nice!
Your right Joseph! We tend to get caught up in the “Technicals” and often fail to realize the potential of stepping out of the box so to speak. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Nick you have such a good design eye, it really makes for the most interesting images. Love everything about this image!
Thanks so much 🙂 Having a background in Graphic Design gives me a bit of advantage in my approach to photography. haha
Simple graphic photos are coming into vogue…and this one definitely fits the bill! Wonderful shot!
And I agree. French words give it a mystique!!
haha. Doesn’t it! 🙂
Thanks so much 🙂
This shot is really wonderful.
Thanks Amanda!
low light is also really “in” in the photo world today, but besides that, sometimes that grainy, high iso look is fantastic and perfectly suits certain shots. well done!
I agree completely Emily! Im continuously drawn to street photography and find great enjoyment in exploring the downtown wonders of my own city, and the choice of higher iso really seems to fit in well. Thanks for your comment and kind words 🙂
Good job, Nick. Keep on trying new things, and posting them so I can leech off of your lessons!
Haha. Sounds like a plan Dan! That totally rhymed!!
Love it!
Thanks Carissa 🙂
It’s amazing how well this works for you. Congratulations!
Thanks Bella!
The texture in that photo is fabulous!
I definitely need to experiment more with shooting at high ISOs. My camera goes up to ISO6400 and I’ve gotten so crystal clear photos at that ISO and I get some horrid noise at much lower ISOs. It definitely depends on what kind of light I’m dealing with.
Absolutely. Thats the beauty of digital cameras is theres so much room to play and experiment! Thanks Valerie! Let us know when you create something awesome!
This would be my most favorite night awesomeness. I took these a couple weeks ago (hope it’s okay to link) http://boringbeautiful.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/day-27/
Absolutely Beautiful Valerie!! Great work:) Keep sharing it. Also post it on my facebook page for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you, Nick!!!
Count me in to the group of photographers that are afraid of anything over 800 iso. But, after seeing this, I’m diving in and giving it a try. I love the composition and the colors in this. You have an incredible artistic eye.
LOL, French words DO make everything cooler! Loved that….
Haha gotta love french words 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind thoughts Sarah! Be sure to share your success with high ISO. Its as Jay Maisel Say “Its about Picture quality, not Pixel quality” 🙂
I will do that Nick!
Love the quote and I completely agree. I’m so conditioned by my stock agencies that “noise” is a no-no that I’ve let that spill over into my non-stock photos. It’s a shame. And frustrating. I almost feel like I’ve lost my creativity because of all the do’s and dont’s of stock photography. That’s why your picture perked me up and inspired me. I actually applauded you when you said what you did about 1600. I could have given you a standing-o 🙂
Thanks Nick 🙂
Haha! Thanks again Sarah 🙂
I was never above 800 until last year. I am glad I made the mental change
Isn’t it wonderful! Once your comfortable with it, it will opens up new doors in your photography. Thanks Michael
Thank you Nick. Your blog is great inspiration!
Anything above 800, and I am uncomfortable even in extreme low light situations. I came from the era of film, so my old habits will die hard. Even though this is a wonderful image, it will take a lot more convincing before I charter in to the world of the unknown. However, you may lead the way. 😀
Haha, keep following the blog and I may just get you over the hurdle. I’ve been shooting in 1600 a lot lately. Especially with my street shots where everything and everyone one is moving so fast I have to be ready in a split second to capture a moment. The high ISO gives me that flexibility without looking the picture. I’ve grown to appreciate these pictures and feel 1600 brings a certain character into the scene. Thanks for the comment Yemi. Let me know if I end up tipping the scale for you 🙂