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The Back Rivers
The Back Rivers
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Desolation (Classic Editing)
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Location: Bow Back Rivers, London
Date: Aug 12, 2003
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 50
Shutter: 1/2000
Galleries: Urban, Landscape
Date Uploaded: Aug 12, 2003

 It is suspected that the river Lea in east London was originally dammed by King Alfred in the 9th century to cot off a bunch of Vikings up-stream. Mills were later built on those dammed stretches, the domesday book recording at least 9 by 1086, and these rivers that were formed by that damming have remained a centre of industry almost ever since. The decline of manufacturing industry in the UK in the late 70's and through the 80's and 90's has left the area polluted and struggling: paths are thoroughly overgrown, abandoned and vandalised buildings litter the shores. At the end of this stretch of the Waterworks Strem can be seen the gleaming new money machines of London Docklands; and yet, amongst this dissolution and waste grows an iinredible amount of wildflowers, and habitats for herons, foxes, and many otherwise endangered species.

So it doesn't completely fit the challenge - but I felt it had the right mood, so I've submitted it. For the tech-heads: it's cropped, sharpened, and the contrast upped a lot, and then the saturation increased a fair chunk too, to bring out the weed on the water. Another point was the haze hanging over the city, but I'm not sure that'll really register without arkening the whole thing too far. I also like the leading lines of this composition.

Statistics
Place: 176 out of 232
Avg (all users): 4.7488
Avg (commenters): 5.1000
Avg (participants): 4.5728
Avg (non-participants): 4.9107
Views since voting: 1232
Votes: 215
Comments: 11
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 08/20/2003 07:53:25 AM
Oh my its way down here I did too like the leading lines in this and the greenish stuff and the electric (whatyoucalleit) stuff.I gave it a 9 . I thought it did fit the challenge just fine
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Kodak DX6490
 08/19/2003 05:55:46 PM
cool pic.
 08/17/2003 03:57:20 AM
Interesting, but desolation? No... It looks nice and peaceful. Also the modern pylons and skyscrapers just ruin the feel of this great place.

Perhaps the contrast is also too high and I would have loved to see more detail on the hut on the right.

However, well done. Good try =)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G
 08/17/2003 02:16:26 AM
I guess you pushed contrast too much. The sky is breached whil in th shadow is black out. Good use of perspective though
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Kodak DC280
 08/17/2003 01:30:57 AM
YUK!! Wonderful picture of desolation!!! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX
 08/15/2003 09:53:32 PM
good contrast. adds to the feeling of desolation.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro
 08/15/2003 04:29:57 PM
It has a very strange look. The green on the water looks as though it is glowing, giving the appearance of toxic waste and a very desolate place. It is a little dark for me, I would like to be able to make out the structures a little better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D90
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
 08/13/2003 05:53:02 PM
The building in the background don't make this seem to desolate to me. And I think it may be a bit too dark.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/13/2003 02:24:37 PM
Rather than enhancing the mood of the murky waters, the darkness of the "walls" to the left and right of the river (are those trees?) become overpowering. Another time of day perhaps when the shadows are not so deep and this might have been more effective.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D5100
Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon
 08/13/2003 09:37:50 AM
Way to dark....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus C-4000Z
 08/13/2003 12:30:47 AM
I like the over saturated look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Theme: Classic / Light / Dark
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