London's Statues & Monuments #19

[Paul Abbott]

I have had this one in the cooler without looking at it, for over two months now, to see if I still like it. As you may know there is a certain amount of emotion/ bias involved (by the author), in a newly acquired image, I guess.

Anyway, this image is an attempt by me to photograph and document an over-photographed landmark in London, and to come up with something original. It is very hard to photograph Nelson's column in a new and interesting way, and so I hope I have at least gotten a little close to doing that...maybe.

Paul Abbott Gen. Havelock & Lord Nelson - Trafalgar Square, London '10​

 

[Asher Kelman]

..
Anyway, this image is an attempt by me to photograph and document an over-photographed landmark in London, and to come up with something original. It is very hard to photograph Nelson's column in a new and interesting way, and so I hope I have at least gotten a little close to doing that...maybe.

Paul Abbott Gen. Havelock & Lord Nelson - Trafalgar Square, London '10​

Paul,

You don't get intimidated by the challenge! I do like the vertical forms not being corrected.It does add acceptable drama without overdoing it. I wondered if one could get rid of the other buildings. Personally, I have no qualms on such modifications as one might find an angle, admittedly different, which would not show that much of the distracting buildings below. If more of the surroundings are available, then that might better. Another option to consider, at least, is cropping away at the lower portion of the image. As you point out, this is no easy task to make an original image of Lord Nelson's famous statue but you have made a version I've never seen before and it's interesting.

It's a great idea but is the first character well known in the U.K. for it to be the stand from which the Admiral is observed? Do you have pictures where the General's face can be better seen?

Asher

 

[Paul Abbott]

Asher, I have had question marks over this image, that is why I kept it away unseen, until now.
The buildings didn't bother me, they gave the image some grounding. I don't think a lower, or further back perspective is on really, I guess i'll pay another visit.

Sir Henry Havelock is not as well known as Nelson by a long shot.

The thing that interested me here in this photograph were the similarity of poses between the two figures, with they're scabbards arranged in the same way and opposing knees forward. More analogy, which I like.
The thing I took issue with though was Havelock's plinth, and it's uninteresting expanse of stone, I wasn't too sure about this.

Here is another shot of Havelock:

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[Asher Kelman]

Asher, I have had question marks over this image, that is why I kept it away unseen, until now.
The buildings didn't bother me, they gave the image some grounding.

Mark,

I was thinking that with only a few buildings it might not be clear that you made such a definitive to decision. So that's why thought of either removal or else increasing them sufficiently to create a plane from which Nelson soared.

I don't think a lower, or further back perspective is on really, I guess i'll pay another visit.

I've always wanted some large pole to be able to shoot from much higher! Here I'd love to see a picture more at the level of Sir Henry and looking towards Nelson. However, I'd be arrested again, LOL!

Sir Henry Havelock is not as well known as Nelson by a long shot.

I'll have to read up! In the U.K. Grammar School system, now a quaint footnote on British culture perhaps, taking a science track at Kilburn Grammar School, meant giving up on modern history and literature. So I missed out on that phase of British history.

The thing that interested me here in this photograph were the similarity of poses between the two figures, with they're scabbards arranged in the same way and opposing knees forward. More analogy, which I like.

That, Paul, might be best shown by a diptych of pictures with a long lens at a distance sufficient to see that posture sufficiently. It seems to hard to get that in one picture.

The thing I took issue with though was Havelock's plinth, and it's uninteresting expanse of stone, I wasn't too sure about this.

Well folk seem to like stealing swords and the like from bronze sculptures so I guess the idea is to get them off the ground. am sure that the plinth designers are not from the same quality drawer as the artist!

Here is another shot of Havelock:

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He's impressive here but I must admit that the Abbott effect of that correct dramatic angle is missing! The girl at the base is also interesting. I'd love to see a fellow with a bowler hat and umbrella and a little girl at the base with the same composition. But, AFAIK, you neither cheat in removing things much nor set up artificial happenings, rather you seem to always document, but from your own chosen angle.

Asher

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Hi Paul

Just a quick note to say that I like the first picture. The blank Havelock Plinth offests the more decorative base to Nelson's Column. The similarity of poses doesn't come across in the small picture so readily, but would liekly work well in a reasonably sized print.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Paul

Just a quick note to say that I like the first picture. The blank Havelock Plinth offests the more decorative base to Nelson's Column. The similarity of poses doesn't come across in the small picture so readily, but would liekly work well in a reasonably sized print.

Albeit this is not the Paul's choice, (and only his view ultimately matters to us, of course), but having a square print from the top portion of the photograph might, indeed, show the posture similarity better. There's simply more attention to that part of the picture and the composition holds up surprisingly well. But I'm an upstart and my view here is of no practical importance if it jars with the intent of the photographer.

I only talk of what one can do not what one should do as the first is collegial while the latter is, to me at least approaching arrogance.

Asher

 

[Paul Abbott]

Thanks Mike, and thanks again, Asher.

Here is the crop that you suggested, Asher. I do like it, and they're similarity is now more enforced, providing greater interest, don't you think?

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[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Mike, and thanks again, Asher.

Here is the crop that you suggested, Asher. I do like it, and they're similarity is now more enforced, providing greater interest, don't you think?

​

Paul,

That works now. could you sharpen the swords and hand and just the head and right edge of each statue.

Also, daring transgression! Beside esthetic considerations, would it be against your principles of honesty to paste in a 2 X version of Lord Nelson instead of the natural size. Since we have few reference points of natural perspective, we could get not only a better view but also a warm speed jump from near to far.

Asher

 

[Ken Tanaka]

Nice crop. The image feels good square.

Sidebar:
For those who will be visiting New York from August 1 to November 1, and if you're interested in photography of sculpture (such as Paul's project), be sure to make time to visit MoMA's exhibit, "The Original Copy: Photography of Sculpture, 1839 to Today". It promises to be a very unique and fascinating presentation.

 

[Paul Abbott]

Asher. No way! I couldn't, I really couldn't.

Ken, I noticed Lee Friedlander's name there. It was his images that inspired me to start this project, sincerely.