If I’m headed into Cambridge from the park and ride, I always head to the front seat at the top of the bus. This week, I was joined by a fellow passenger who stood for the whole ride in making “vroom-vroom” noises. I just settled for making a photo:
ISO 64 4.15mm f/2.2 1/1000 sec
I shot this panorama on my iPhone and from Lightroom edited it using the Google Efex Pro plug in. Once I created a version that I liked I brought it back into Lightroom. I then made some further edits. In this case, I warmed it up a bit, brought a bit of clarity to it and added a vignette. I like the plug in as a starting point for editing. One thing that I do when I am adding filters is to wait, even if it is just for a moment, before deciding I am done. In my opinion, it is rare that a preset filter has exactly what you had in mind. I give it a bit of time, look at the photo again and then usually edit again. Filters can be a good place to start, but rarely are they your final vision.
I was in a bit of an experimental mood when I was writing this post, so I am adding in what should be a link to a slightly larger version of the photo in Flickr.
Directions on how to do that are here.
I’ve also added it to my Instagram feed, using the work around I came up with last week. In this particular case, I am also experimenting with adding the panorama format and not the traditional Instagram square format.
If you are on either of those platforms, you can stop by and let me know what you think. Do you use the panorama function on your cell phone? When you are editing do you wait and come back later to your edits? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
Beautiful photo! I always cycle through here on my way to college 🙂 I am also obsessed with the panorama function on the iPhone. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, that is a nice corner, I have several photos of it. I find that Cambridge is pretty well suited for panorama.
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Lovely photo! I lived in Cambridge many years ago and still miss it.
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Did you live in the city itself? Just wondering because it seems like the mobs of tourists might get old? or did that not bother you.
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We lived in Oakington and I worked in Cambridge. We moved there when we first arrived from NZ, so I suppose we were kind of tourists.
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Yes, I guess that’s one way to look at it. It just seems to me to be one of those cities where on the weekends the number of people would just soar. When I actually need to get something done there I go during the week. You will not be surprised to hear that there is a lot of talking now about public transportation into Cambridge as the surroundings continue to expand. It’s a serious issue that they are several years behind in dealing with as these things often are.
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Sounds like Auckland on the public transport front; foresight seems to elude local governments everywhere! I suspect nowadays I would get very grumpy about the tourists.
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Yes, I feel like everywhere we have ever lived, infrastructure is the last thing that is considered and putting up more houses always the first.
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So well done, Amy! Love the result.
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Thank you Amy 🙂
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Amy – this is just a lovely eye-ful of a scene. Looking it over reminds me of some of those medieval paintings where there are so many elements all included in a single painting. (I’ve been reading an art book this week, Art in Detail by Susie Hodge.)
“One thing that I do when I am adding filters is to wait, even if it is just for a moment, before deciding I am done. In my opinion, it is rare that a preset filter has exactly what you had in mind. I give it a bit of time, look at the photo again and then usually edit again. Filters can be a good place to start, but rarely are they your final vision.” – As I was reading your photographic observation, it dawned on me that this approach is also a good one for fiction or writing. After you make a scene/story/character, give it a bit of time, before coming back to your writing to see if it needs any editing. “Filters” – I’m thinking free writes or first drafts, are a good place to start, but it’s the time element that helps you bring your vision into reality. 🙂
Have a great day!
p.s. I love the phrase, “If I’m headed into Cambridge from the park and ride.” So 2000s!
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I saw that you added Art in Detail to your Goodreads list this week, I had not heard of it, so I will be curious to read your review when you are finished with it.
I agree that when it comes to editing for writing, giving it a bit of time would be a good idea. It applies to writing a blog post or an important e-mail as well. I will say that a lot of my blog posts have been written in my head before they ever turn up on line.
Also, what can I say, I’m just such a modern public transport using kind of gal 🙂 Actually, it is hands down the easiest way to get into Cambridge and the cheapest as well.
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Oh! Art in Detail is amazing. I found it in the library, and I am in love with it, I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know. It gives you a wonderful overview of the progress of Western art (mostly painting) from medieval times through the 20th century. On one page you have the art item, and turn the page – full 2-page layout with detailed visual insets with historical or technique notes. It’s like going to a museum with a personal guide, right at your dining room table!
About public transport, yes, that is me with our new light rail system in Seattle. So freeing. Sounds like you had a mini-adventure with the muttering passenger next to you! – Do you work in Cambridge?
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Ok, I will have to add it to my Goodreads list. We moved out of Seattle before the light rail was put in. They needed to do something about traffic on the I-5, I remember sitting once in a back up at 11pm and thinking, this is a huge problem. My muttering passenger was probably about 8, so I was more concerned about him falling over while the bus was moving then anything else. I am lucky enough to be able to work from home. So I can pick and chose when I go into Cambridge which is nice because traffic can be terrible depending on the time of day.
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Yeah, they say Seattle is now one of the worst “terrible traffic” places! We just got the light rail up to our neighborhood (near the University of Washington) last year and wow! it’s 6 minutes from the UW station to downtown. It runs under Capitol Hill! It’s amazing! 🙂 Good for you, taking public transport instead of adding to traffic. 🙂
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It’s one of those things that I almost have a hard time picturing because once you move away from a place it always looks the same in your mind even though it obviously changes along with everything else.
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Absolutely. Much of Seattle is still the same, I think … at least it is recognizable. I’ve been here since I was young and I think it’s still very accessible and people-friendly. 🙂
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I’ve not been back since we moved. It is one of those things that we talk about from time to time, but the exact opportunity has not yet presented itself.
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p.s. Amy, I’m on Flickr – where will I find your work?
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Ok, so here is a link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marantophotography/
Also, if you click on the photo itself, it should take you there. It works on my end of things, so hopefully it would work on your end as well.
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Oh my gosh. These are exquisite. Stunning!
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Thanks!
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Well done. I love the result. Oxford is unknown to me, which meant that seeing a glimpse of it was great joy. Thank You.
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Thank you for your visit.
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Not possible for everyone to travel. Blogs like your helps others to see the world and enjoy the nature. Your writing adds extra dimension to the imagination. Thanks
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Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
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