London's Statues & Monuments #25

[Paul Abbott]

My first image in many months for this project...

William Edward Forster - Temple Gardens, London '11 #25 / Paul Abbott​

 

[Asher Kelman]

My first image in many months for this project...

William Edward Forster - Temple Gardens, London '11 #25 / Paul Abbott​

Paul,

The point of view you've chosen works well. I do wonder about the decision to keep his face dark. What was your thinking. Maybe, in the end of his life, he had to be less conspicuous as he was a target for assassination.

Asher

 

[Paul Abbott]

Asher, this is a view from behind him.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Asher, this is a view from behind him.

That's sort of interesting but strange. That, you must admit is a most unusual choice. What led to to that one particular view? Or is it that you just felt, for him, it was better to go behind the public detail. We hardly ever take picture behind a person we are celebrating, it it possible that you have never liked him or the Liberal party or their policies on prayer in the school or Irish assembly laws?

Maybe, none of that, the front was marred by litter, kids smoking or even eating Big Macs!

Asher

 

[Paul Abbott]

This guy reformed the Education Act, making it possible for working class people to get a better education, other than the well off.
The thing is, with most of these monuments or statues in London no one knows who the bloody hell they are, and I wonder if they care?
Some are quite secluded and eclipsed from view and it's been great so far in seeking these personages out and learning a little about what they did.

In regard to this view, I was interested by his stark figure against the light, and it's vying against those branches.

A lot of statuary in London can result in taking a very mundane and uninteresting image, so I like to look out for some different angles (as you do), or some interaction with the people, which can give life and scale to some of these statues.

 

[Asher Kelman]

In regard to this view, I was interested by his stark figure against the light, and it's vying against those branches.

Paul,

Yes, that's an interesting idea. There are some edges of light that almost map out the forms of the branches. How would it be if these were brought out a tad more?

Asher

 

[Paul Abbott]

Yeah, they can be brought out more, there is still some more 'range' to play with. I had already dodged this area of the scene somewhat.
Of course it is easier to pick out the tones better while viewing this on a darker background, they are there.

There is a tendency to overdo these things I guess, but here is a slightly lightened version anyway. If I go any lighter it starts to look a little unnatural.

William Edward Forster - Temple Gardens, London / Paul Abbott​

 

[Asher Kelman]

Yeah, they can be brought out more, there is still some more 'range' to play with. I had already dodged this area of the scene somewhat.
Of course it is easier to pick out the tones better while viewing this on a darker background, they are there.

There is a tendency to overdo these things I guess, but here is a slightly lightened version anyway. If I go any lighter it starts to look a little unnatural.

William Edward Forster - Temple Gardens, London '11 #25 / Paul Abbott[/center][/QUOTE]

William Edward Forster - Temple Gardens, London / Paul Abbott

Edges of branches enhanced on right​

Paul,

It's already better. I think the lower branches could also benefit from the same treatment. If the lower massive horizontal branch is in front of the statue, then the edges of his coat might be just slightly revealed. That may not be possible. However, for me, cheating here would not give me a conscience. Others would not be able to tolerate such artificial clarification. Still, this updated presentation right now gives a great feeling of him being among the branches and I like it more.

Asher​

 

[Paul Abbott]

Thanks Asher. It doesn't bother me to do things like this either, after all it's improving the highlights on those limbs which are naturally there.