Train Station Blues

Posted by Justin (Singapore, Singapore) on 2 June 2007 in Cityscape & Urban.

This was taken in a MRT station, or what other people in other parts of the world would call a subway or metro. I go down the escalators with camera in hand and just thought 'This looks nice.'

But the process between thought and execution never really runs a smooth course especially with time ticking away and everything seemingly moving at the speed of light.

The original capture is horribly tilted to one side and the color is also suitably dull so I did some editing and this came out.

At what point is it considered sacrilegious to tamper with a picture?

It is not a question easily answered. All I know is that there was a good picture in it waiting to be retrieved and it needed help.

Edit: I wasn't really happy with the original so I went back and reworked it a little more. For those who are interested to see the original, you can go to HERE

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Comments (7)

Helen from Melbourne, Australia

Your 'tampering' has been a success here. I like the interplay between the light and shadow. I am always a sucker for repetition, so the ticket mackines work for me. The composition is great, especially tied together by the light pole on the left. Very clever, congrats.

2 Jun 2007 7:41am

@Helen: thank you. it was the lights that caught my eye first :)

Pixadilly from Anegada, Virgin Islands, British

No problem tampering to straighten, adjust w.b., contrast, sharpness, etc. Why not? In this photo, I love the light on the woman's face. Without her there, this would only be an interesting place. She brings the human dimension to it. Important (for me) and successful.

2 Jun 2007 12:43pm

@Pixadilly: I almost didn't get the woman's face because I was still focusing as she was walking and it was just nice that the shot was taken as she walked through the light :)

dee from Innsbruck, Austria

For me this is a very interesting shot. Above all, I like the blue tones (blue is my favourite colour ;-)) and the composition.

2 Jun 2007 2:39pm

@dee: I like blue too :)

JV from India, India

Well composed shot.

It is always interesting. 'Tampering' depends upon the creator's intention, what result s/he wants to achieve. I believe an image should be re-produced honestly, with basic little changes as to contrast or brighting etc., which human eyes can capture but not cameras. B&w and sepia tone are capable of change in the mood but still acceptable.

2 Jun 2007 3:52pm

@JV: thank you :)

I agree with your comments about the creator's intent but we live in a world where nothing is as it seems sometimes. If you can, check out the Dove commercial where they show an ordinary woman transformed into a supermodel. It boggled my mind when I first saw it.

Rachel from Dallas, TX, United States

Your tampering created a beautiful moment. Wonderful composition and colors. I really like this!

2 Jun 2007 6:03pm

@Rachel: Thank you. glad that you like it :)

Evie from Fairfax, United States

Very nice image. Your "tampering" worked. You're not claiming to offer a journalistic or documentary shot, you're offering an artistic vision. The latter allows much more latitude than the former.

2 Jun 2007 10:18pm

@Evie: thank you :)