The Government Center

Roger · Feb 29, 2008

outstanding image, I love it for it's coldness and bleakness...very Orwellian. Is the apparant face a PS effect or natural?

abraxas · Feb 29, 2008

Roger said:
outstanding image, I love it for it's coldness and bleakness...very Orwellian. Is the apparant face a PS effect or natural?

Thanks. I've been trying to get back to this spot for a couple years now and finally made it yesterday (Thursday 2/28). Anyway, the face is pretty much natural with the exception of having to dodge the forehead and the right cheek, and burn just below the cheeks to bring it out a bit.

rob91 · Feb 29, 2008

Why is there a face there?

When you said government center I was expecting something more modern...but somehow this doesn't surprise me. You continue to crack me up in interesting ways Ab, I don't know how intentional it is but I like your style.

Trenton Romulox · Feb 29, 2008

Excellent. That is a top-quality capture right there, from the top edge, to the bottom edge, I'm having trouble finding anything wrong with this shot. And that apparent face is a really nice touch to the shot, adds a whole eerie layer to the photo. Great work, as always. Every time I enter one of your threads, I come away impressed.

abraxas · Mar 1, 2008

rob91 said:
Why is there a face there?

When you said government center I was expecting something more modern...but somehow this doesn't surprise me. You continue to crack me up in interesting ways Ab, I don't know how intentional it is but I like your style.

The face?- Ultimate power maybe?- Could be indifference to the public? You'll have to ask the receptionist, at the "Center."

These shots (somewhat depressed and satirical/futuristic) are intentional. I spent a good deal of time thinking about this location over the two or three years since I last visited. I don't feel I got it quite right yet though. I wanted to be there at sunset, but things would have got a bit creepy with the guy who was there before me. Intrusions into another's privacy fifteen miles into the backcountry can get a bit, "iffy." I'm not sure why he had what sounded like a machine shop in a bobtail truck and a trailer. Maybe chopping stolen motorcycles or building speed labs, but I expect to be left the hell alone out there and figured he did too. We did wave to each other (customary) as I left.

Thank you. I figure if I have nothing else I have my style and have fun developing it. Here's a couple of threads that are likewise;

Neutopia

Urbanoplis

Trenton Romulox said:
Excellent. That is a top-quality capture right there, from the top edge, to the bottom edge, I'm having trouble finding anything wrong with this shot. And that apparent face is a really nice touch to the shot, adds a whole eerie layer to the photo. Great work, as always. Every time I enter one of your threads, I come away impressed.

Thanks Trenton. I think after learning composition and getting a handle on exposure the fun starts. If you go with the fun stuff it becomes an expression and technical junk doesn't matter. Kind of like riding a bicycle. It doesn't matter how you do it, but where it takes you. I love the anthropomorphics (human faces, etc.) and have seen them since I was a kid. There's a lot of enjoyment being able to show what I see to others. Sorry to ramble, but again, thank you.

abraxas · Mar 1, 2008

This is insane wild- listen and read this while checking out the shot!

rob91 · Mar 1, 2008

Ab, give me the receptionist's number, I'd love to have a chat with her.

93rdcurrent · Mar 1, 2008

Wonderful! It's a great shot. The face is very eary. 1984 really freaked me out a bit when I was younger... and yet again when I started hearing about the Patriot Act.

abraxas · Mar 1, 2008

rob91 said:
Ab, give me the receptionist's number, I'd love to have a chat with her.

My commnique has gone awry- you'll have to talk to the wall.

93rdcurrent said:
Wonderful! It's a great shot. The face is very eary. 1984 really freaked me out a bit when I was younger... and yet again when I started hearing about the Patriot Act.

It's not too late. People thought the social security number was intrusive. Wait for the implant!

Animal Farm is a good read too.