Royal Scottish Museum Reflection

Rob Barron · 03-01-2007, 19:36

I took this after seeing the photo of a teapot with the taker's reflection in it (Sejanus). I was sat in the main entrance hall of the Royal Museum of cotland with my wife and the architecture was really grabbing my attention. I wanted to capture it but not in the way it would have been done a thousand times so was looking for an alternative viewpoint. Then I noticed the chrome, dome-topped waste bins and my wife looked on as if I was losing my mind: I was sat polishing the dustbin!

I chose to put my wife and I into the shot and took about 10 before I got a shot I was happy with as I didn't want to look through the camera itself, and so to keep it as a semi-portrait. I am pleased with the results so I thought I'd let you guys take a look and see what you think.

Just to point out, I deliberately left the bottle of coke on the side as I wanted it to maintain a sense of personal interaction, not a sense of being isolated from the hall. There is actually a cafe in the main hall further behind me so it is somewhat appropriate!

Tech stuff: Canon 20D, 17-40mm L series, 1/60th second @ f 8.

fionaB · 03-01-2007, 19:53

fabulous Rob..........<<waves to Di>>

Fi

Whipspeed · 03-01-2007, 19:54

Makes a really interesting shot Rob, perhaps reflections could be a fortnightly challenge catagory. If I could change one thing it would be to make the centre of the reflected roof absolutely vertical.

I love the expression on your wifes face, says it all about being married to a photographer! I get the same expression when my husband & his mates are talking bikes!

Rob Barron · 03-01-2007, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whipspeed

Makes a really interesting shot Rob, perhaps reflections could be a fortnightly challenge catagory. If I could change one thing it would be to make the centre of the reflected roof absolutely vertical.

I love the expression on your wifes face, says it all about being married to a photographer! I get the same expression when my husband & his mates are talking bikes!

LOL Sarah, tell me about it. Diane is very good though, she even gave up the fight and decided to join me! I bought her a compact digital camera and she takes pictures along with me rather than standing around waiting.

With regards the roof, I see what you mean but actually I'd have had to move the entire bin a bit further over and things in order to get the roof centralised and I am not over-keen on shots that are too balanced if you know what I mean. It was a pig to line up as it was. I was looking at the reflection of my camera lens in the chrome of the bin and seeing the roof reflected in the lens via the bin (you keeping up here

) to try and get it all straight and so forth. After ten shots, I decided to settle for this one!

Thanks for the comments, appreciated as always

Cheers,
Rob

Whipspeed · 03-01-2007, 22:15

Can see what you mean, I bet Diane would have been even more embaressed if you had started to move the bin as well! I like these shots & may have to have a go if I can find something interesting. Always fun if you have to work to get the shot.

ftmftm · 03-01-2007, 22:33

hi Rob,

what a stunning picture, i love the colours, the concept everything about it, well done.

David

namllihs · 04-01-2007, 00:13

Nicely worked idea.

skipper954 · 04-01-2007, 05:12

Good shot, rob. If you could just get rid of that big ugly thing in your hand!

skip

Rob Barron · 04-01-2007, 12:38

LOL Skip, maybe I'll make my next camera a James Bond Spy camera that fits neatly in place of one of my shirt buttons :o)

Actually, that would be great fun.... <wonders!> .... <practice my deep hunky voice> 'The name's Barron.... Rob Barron!'

skipper954 · 04-01-2007, 14:06

And you like your chocolate milk stirred, not shaken!

cotter · 04-01-2007, 20:55

I like it Rob...I would like to see the bin lower in the shot, so the viewer could see the reflection and beyond the bin.

Rob Barron · 05-01-2007, 14:24

I took loads with the bin lower, all rubbish! The reason is it was actually very busy and there were people everywhere so you wouldn't have seen much beyond other than people wondering about everywhere. That was why I wanted to capture the grand building in the reflection as it got rid of the people, hence the idea for the shot.

I entirely agree with your idea though Cotter, just that I did try it and it wasn't as effective because of the people.

Cheers,
Rob