Graffiti, wall art, or urban art - post your best takes [Archive]

Chip NoVaMac

May 7, 2006, 12:04 AM

I have always loved the above topic, both as a photographer and a viewer.

In this post are examples of what I found interesting. Yes, the first image is one that I have posted many times here on MR in a variety of threads. It is one of my favorites from my Iceland trip. :) It means something special to me perhaps. The second image is from my Summer 2005 trip to SF. I just love the colors. The others are meant to spur others to post their images.

(A side note: Other than the two first images, the rest was taken on my visit to Reykjavik, Iceland. I was surprised at the amount of graffiti that I found in the "city core" due to what I had read about the general respect for the law and "social norms" in Iceland.)

baby duck monge

May 7, 2006, 10:19 AM

Does it count when it's state-sanctioned? While there was a crazy amount of graffiti all over Brussels, they also had somewhere around 30 of these things drawn on the sides of random buildings around town. It was kinda fun to be walking and suddenly stumble upon one.

Whiteapple

May 7, 2006, 10:19 AM

I don't know how far this is relevant to the topic. I took those in Brussels last February, and I would like to have some critiques.

Camera: Nikon D70
Lense: standard 18-70mm
Other: Tripod

http://guyguy.pagus.org/Pictures/Nikon_D70/05_11_27_13h28-31.jpg

and

http://guyguy.pagus.org/Pictures/Nikon_D70/05_11_27_13h28-53.jpg

Thank you very much!

Chip NoVaMac

May 7, 2006, 01:35 PM

Does it count when it's state-sanctioned? <snip> It was kinda fun to be walking and suddenly stumble upon one.

I guess it works then. :)

I don't know how far this is relevant to the topic. I took those in Brussels last February, and I would like to have some critiques.

Camera: Nikon D70
Lense: standard 18-70mm
Other: Tripod

Thank you very much!

It fits the topic just fine. :)

As to critiques. I am not sure that I am seeing what you may have seen in these images. That is not a bad thing, we all have images that we like for one reason or another, but others just don't see it.

The fact that you used a tripod shows that you were deliberate in taking these shots. I seldom go to that level when I am out shooting, maybe I should. :)

While I do not see a compelling subject in these two photos, I do see your use of leading lines. Like in the second image, you have the cement bench in the lower left that leads us to the yellow pipes, that leads us to the bench.

Hope that I was not to harsh on you. :) Keep at it, I see a good eye developing in your photography.

Whiteapple

May 7, 2006, 02:20 PM

I guess it works then. :)

It fits the topic just fine. :)

As to critiques. I am not sure that I am seeing what you may have seen in these images. That is not a bad thing, we all have images that we like for one reason or another, but others just don't see it.

The fact that you used a tripod shows that you were deliberate in taking these shots. I seldom go to that level when I am out shooting, maybe I should. :)

While I do not see a compelling subject in these two photos, I do see your use of leading lines. Like in the second image, you have the cement bench in the lower left that leads us to the yellow pipes, that leads us to the bench.

Hope that I was not to harsh on you. :) Keep at it, I see a good eye developing in your photography.

Thanks, not harsh at all, i'm used to people saying they dont see subjects while i simply like the shot:) . With the camera i have (Sony DSC-V1) I cant actually practise very much on shots, i hate shooting with an lcd screen. Nevertheless I loved using my brother's D70, and these pictures he told me did not have any subject, but I just liked them. Check one of my other posts:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=2384643#post2384643

down the page

I'll eventually get better at "finding subjects".

PS: any websites for people in my case? or even books? Somebody told me drawing was the best thing to do, but maybe there are miraculous solutions:)

baby duck monge

May 7, 2006, 02:41 PM

Chip NoVaMac

May 7, 2006, 03:09 PM

Thanks, not harsh at all, i'm used to people saying they dont see subjects while i simply like the shot:) . With the camera i have (Sony DSC-V1) I cant actually practise very much on shots, i hate shooting with an lcd screen. Nevertheless I loved using my brother's D70, and these pictures he told me did not have any subject, but I just liked them. Check one of my other posts:

I'll eventually get better at "finding subjects".

PS: any websites for people in my case? or even books? Somebody told me drawing was the best thing to do, but maybe there are miraculous solutions:)

Thanks. It is hard to offer opinions on photographs in sites like this, since we are on different levels. :)

Don't sell yourself short on the DSC-V1. My post in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=198733) was done with a Panasonic LX-1 which has only an LCD. Here are two more images with that camera that I have posted else where on MR.

One of the best photo exhibits I saw was one based on the Kodak Instamatic 104 camera (do a Google about the camera). A camera is a tool. As such it what we do with it that matters. The Amish build barns with simple hand tools, yet others build wonderful chests with the latest power tools.

You do have an eye IMO. It just takes time.

As to books. "Photography" by Barbara London may help. As to websites. I suggest that you might want to visit photosig.com for inspiration. Do not post there unless you really want to be roasted on an open spit IMO. An image that got a 2nd place finish in a contest, got roasted there. (This is the 3rd image in this post)

Just keep posting your images here on the DPF at MR. I hope that you will join us in this photo thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=197767

Would love to see what you can come up with in that thread. :)

Chip NoVaMac

May 7, 2006, 03:24 PM

One of the problems I had in Brussels (and would probably have in other European countries) was that the streets and walkways were a lot more narrow than I am used to, so it was harder to take pictures that showed exactly what I wanted. That may not have been an issue where Whiteapple was taking pictures since it seemed a bit more open, but like we have established everyone sees something different in a picture.

I know what you mean. Sounds like Brussels was your first European visit. I just made my first trip outside of the US to Iceland and London in February.

You may want to look at a P&S camera with a wider angle POV. Some current models are the Canon S80 and the Panasonic LX-1/Leica D-lux 2.

It probably also didn't help that I lacked anything more than a simple point-and-shoot digital. I should really invest in a nice digital SLR, but for now I have to make do with an old Nikormat and a little Canon digital. Oh well...

See my post above to Whiteapple. I am darn happy with what a P&S camera can do. In fact, I am going on a business trip this week, and my LX-1 is the only camera I plan on taking. I hope on this trip to give myself some time to explore near by areas.

Anyway, there really was a lot of graffiti there (and in the craziest places - like their court :eek: ), and I would love it if more pictures were posted. I miss the place already, and love to be reminded of how great it was. :D

I know what you mean. I was so taken aback by the graffiti that I saw in Reykjavik. Iceland was to be a country of a close knit society, with great respect for each other. So I was surprised by the amount of graffiti that I saw.

It is perhaps the American view that graffiti is a sign of decay of society.

Whiteapple

May 7, 2006, 03:36 PM

Thanks. It is hard to offer opinions on photographs in sites like this, since we are on different levels. :)

Don't sell yourself short on the DSC-V1. My post in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=198733) was done with a Panasonic LX-1 which has only an LCD. Here are two more images with that camera that I have posted else where on MR.

One of the best photo exhibits I saw was one based on the Kodak Instamatic 104 camera (do a Google about the camera). A camera is a tool. As such it what we do with it that matters. The Amish build barns with simple hand tools, yet others build wonderful chests with the latest power tools.

You do have an eye IMO. It just takes time.

As to books. "Photography" by Barbara London may help. As to websites. I suggest that you might want to visit photosig.com for inspiration. Do not post there unless you really want to be roasted on an open spit IMO. An image that got a 2nd place finish in a contest, got roasted there. (This is the 3rd image in this post)

Just keep posting your images here on the DPF at MR. I hope that you will join us in this photo thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=197767

Would love to see what you can come up with in that thread. :)

I sure will participate:)

Going back to Brussels during the May 26-29th period, will try to improve urban-shot skills.

Thanks for your attention, there is this nice atmosphere which I really like on these forums, which would as you suggested not happened in places like photosig.com (very nice stuff over there as well).

As for the P&S with LCD, it is very true that you can make nice stuff with them, but I think it pretty much depends on the light you shoot in, where you can or cannot see the screen very well. However, I managed to take "OK" shots, and I would tend to say that P&S is a very nice school to learn photography, and the sony is a very good camera. My experience is that I'm slowly learning about framing, and I have a feeling it could go faster with a proper framebox, but I also feel it's going quite well.

Sony DSC-V1 "gallery" (hope you have a nice screen resolution:) )

http://guyguy.pagus.org/SONY_V1/

:)

Chip NoVaMac

May 7, 2006, 03:49 PM

I sure will participate:)

Going back to Brussels during the May 26-29th period, will try to improve urban-shot skills.

Thanks for your attention, there is this nice atmosphere which I really like on these forums, which would as you suggested not happened in places like photosig.com (very nice stuff over there as well).

As for the P&S with LCD, it is very true that you can make nice stuff with them, but I think it pretty much depends on the light you shoot in, where you can or cannot see the screen very well. However, I managed to take "OK" shots, and I would tend to say that P&S is a very nice school to learn photography, and the sony is a very good camera. My experience is that I'm slowly learning about framing, and I have a feeling it could go faster with a proper framebox, but I also feel it's going quite well.

Sony DSC-V1 "gallery" (hope you have a nice screen resolution:) )

http://guyguy.pagus.org/SONY_V1/

:)

Man, after seeing the images in your gallery, you are selling yourself short IMO. There are some really great shots there, your image posts here are truly not your best from what you are starting to share with us.

Keep posting in the right threads and you will see that there are many of us that will see the benefit of your eye. :)

Whiteapple

May 7, 2006, 04:17 PM

Thanks :o Not meant to sell myself short though, nevermind. Quick question, as regarding the "snow" ones, I dont remember if I have ever edited them, they do look kinda "color adjusted". Nevertheless, in iPhoto the original dates and numerized (not sure how it is in english iPhoto) dates are the same. Does that mean they have not been edited? Thanks again:)

Mike Teezie

May 7, 2006, 04:50 PM

http://mnjordan.com/images/misc/mr/wall.jpg

pepeleuepe

May 7, 2006, 07:12 PM

Heres the best one I've got, let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
Dave

http://www.davidrhunt.com/urban_bw.jpg

decksnap

May 7, 2006, 07:58 PM

I used to be very into this stuff when I was a kid. This is one I painted when I was...erm... younger.

If anyone's interested in seeing some crazy stuff google a guy named Puppet. He used to be one of my favs.

Clix Pix

May 8, 2006, 12:00 AM

Last June I spent a weekend in Philadelphia and was intrigued, not by the Liberty Bell and all that stuff, but by the interesting tiles and graffiti on South Street:

http://clixpix.smugmug.com/photos/68376072-L.jpg

http://clixpix.smugmug.com/photos/68376796-L.jpg

http://clixpix.smugmug.com/photos/68376826-L.jpg

http://clixpix.smugmug.com/photos/68376899-L.jpg

http://clixpix.smugmug.com/photos/68376922-L.jpg

A few more can be found at http://photos.talihar.net/art

Taken with the D70 and I think the 18-70 "kit" lens.

applefan

May 8, 2006, 12:44 AM

tykles

May 8, 2006, 09:36 AM

Well, here's my first submission to the forums - I hope it actually works (I couldn't find a sticky on how to attach images so I did my best). I took this in Granada Spain a few years agao, stitched a few shots together. I am expecting my shiny new D70s to arive via UPS today, so hopefully you'll be seeing more of me soon!
tyler

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46935&stc=1&d=1147095123

JamSoft

May 8, 2006, 03:04 PM

Grand Rapids, MI

http://jamsoft.gsp0t.net/site_archives/jam2/80DA6453-5A1E-414D-824A-1F73815FF955_files/IMG_0822.jpg

icloud

May 8, 2006, 03:10 PM

http://homepage.mac.com/cloud.e/Album/DSC_0116.jpg

Roy Hobbs

May 8, 2006, 03:18 PM

jaydub

May 8, 2006, 03:30 PM

here are a few of mine all from the DC neighborhood of Adams Morgan

cool area. I had some pizza down there last month, while hanging out with friends. :cool:

Roy Hobbs

May 8, 2006, 03:41 PM

cool area. I had some pizza down there last month, while hanging out with friends. :cool:

Very cool place indeed and very photogenic

Clix Pix

May 8, 2006, 04:04 PM

here are a few of mine all from the DC neighborhood of Adams Morgan

http://vanwagonerweb.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2944.jpg

http://vanwagonerweb.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2951.jpg

http://vanwagonerweb.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/IMG_2948.jpg

Oh, good, I'm glad someone included Adams Morgan!! That's such a nifty area of DC! Also there is some neat graffiti/street art on a wall around Klingle or Adams Mill Road, too.... never got around to taking a photo of that, though.

mbl42

May 10, 2006, 07:15 PM

Freedom Thru Creativity (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mxlews/142075079/in/set-72057594102946485/)

At inactive Fort Ord military base near Monterey, CA.

http://static.flickr.com/53/142075079_2f195fa339_m.jpg

maxi

May 23, 2006, 10:06 AM

Hey everyone, this is my first contribution on the photography section. I hope I can get to spend some good times here. Anyways, I've loved photography all my life, I work with cameras, but I'm not a photographer :)
this is NYC in summer '04. D70 with 18-70mm kit lens.

48323

48324

48325

Chip NoVaMac

Jun 2, 2006, 01:41 AM

Here is some wall art from my October 2005 trip to Chicago in the Lincoln Park area.

risc

Jun 2, 2006, 02:08 AM

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/383/closeup7tv.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5214/full2vj.jpg

Here are couple of photos my GF took of an abandoned office building here in Melboune.

resized and cropped from the originals

FrankieTDouglas

Jun 2, 2006, 03:30 AM

http://mnjordan.com/images/misc/mr/wall.jpg

I think someone has been to Monroe... :)

http://andybloxham.com/photos/point.jpg

Didn't quite get the shot I wanted, but this one works for this thread.

The street art shot I really like is something that appeared in an earlier thread, but here it is in this context.

http://andybloxham.com/photos/swade.jpg

That's about 3-4 blocks down from the pointing wall piece.

neverownedapc

Jun 21, 2008, 06:37 AM

yea, this thread is old but i came across it browsing for some mac art for my wall and figured i stick two of my other loves in the same thread. enjoi.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2381/editgrafpic2rc0.jpg

erickj

Jun 21, 2008, 03:21 PM

Photo's that have captured me for one reason or another in and around Seattle. In particular, I have a fondness for capturing the randomness of poles and things attached to them.

http://gallery.mac.com/jberickson/100073/41460008/web.jpg

This is an old building on a corner which just keeps piling up with posts.

http://gallery.mac.com/jberickson/100073/CIMG4956/web.jpg

I went to get milk two weeks ago, and this greeted me on the sidewalk. I really like the angle and the repetition of it.

http://gallery.mac.com/jberickson/100073/CIMG5001/web.jpg

I thought that the reply (in green) to this word Jelus (in red) was the best part of this photo.

http://gallery.mac.com/jberickson/100073/CIMG4878/web.jpg

I don't know. Just something I was really drawn to.

http://gallery.mac.com/jberickson/100073/CIMG5081/web.jpg

taylorwilsdon

Jun 21, 2008, 04:16 PM

Photo's that have captured me for one reason or another in and around Seattle. In particular, I have a fondness for capturing the randomness of poles and thing

Then I bet you love fremont and the u district :)

Everythingisnt

Jun 21, 2008, 06:19 PM

Vancouver, Canada ;);)

http://img.skitch.com/20080621-ggtiw3scx1r4tbtdt4ssyhhh84.jpg

leighonigar

Jun 21, 2008, 06:42 PM

Vancouver, Canada ;);)

http://img.skitch.com/20080621-ggtiw3scx1r4tbtdt4ssyhhh84.jpg

Nice sky replacement!

Everythingisnt

Jun 21, 2008, 06:56 PM

Yep :)

The original was white and blown out (overcast), so this is a mockup of what I want to get IRL.. I'm going back to the location tomorrow if the weather permits to get it at sundown..

Here's the sky source if you're interested..

http://img.skitch.com/20080621-n7hkg78jsic5dnpiag41rahjwr.jpg

erickj

Jun 22, 2008, 03:19 AM

Then I bet you love fremont and the u district :)

Actually, I hardly ever get to those areas of town. I am in Ballard some, but live on Capitol Hill and work Downtown.

neverownedapc

Jun 22, 2008, 01:29 PM

the other day at work:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/5020/bc56acff613amu0.jpg

nick9191

Jun 22, 2008, 01:44 PM

http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/horizontal_1.htm

kristen1406

Apr 19, 2011, 02:40 AM

I like coastal wall art very much.Wall art is a decorative element on the wall that will add value from a two-dimensional objects or three-dimensional objects.:)

wind1313

May 15, 2011, 08:54 PM

First time poster, long time lurker :)

And since this ancient thread's been revived, I thought I might as well keep it going.

Abandoned tram sheds in Australia. They're two separate rooms that I've merged together into a "panorama".

pakyooh

May 15, 2011, 11:57 PM

Banksy at MOCA
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5662824617_1a8fba4484_z.jpg

and Space Invader
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5662828911_0cf059975e_z.jpg

pakyooh

May 15, 2011, 11:58 PM

That location looks sick! Would love to shoot there.

First time poster, long time lurker :)

And since this ancient thread's been revived, I thought I might as well keep it going.

Abandoned tram sheds in Australia. They're two separate rooms that I've merged together into a "panorama".

wind1313

May 16, 2011, 08:23 AM

That location looks sick! Would love to shoot there.
Apparently So You Think You Can Dance Australia shot a few scenes there, but that must've been a while ago since it looks even MORE dilapidated.

Here are some other photos of the place. It'd been raining heavily for a week, and with holes in the roof, the place had lakes inside lol.

sarge

May 18, 2011, 01:56 PM

285834

285836

285835

Here are some shots in and around Brooklyn.

sarge

May 18, 2011, 02:01 PM

Hoodrich is history. This apt building was razed to make way for the Atlantic Yards Stadium being built for the Nets.

285837

Designer Dale

May 18, 2011, 04:42 PM

Tollifson Plaza in downtown Tacoma.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7060/lowpark.jpg

Near the entrance to Mt. Rainier State Park in Elbe, WA.
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9708/grafittiwall.jpg

Dale

Anvil Image

May 19, 2011, 11:50 AM

http://gallery.anvilimage.com/Photography/Urban-Photography/Pauls/636883855_dFyKi-1024x1024.jpg

http://gallery.anvilimage.com/Photography/Urban-Photography/Broken-Past/636864021_3zwuk-1024x1024.jpg

fcortese

May 23, 2011, 09:46 AM

Two forms of graffiti in town. One are what are know around here as ghost signs, advertising from many years ago still in place. The other was a small home on one of our main streets who let the kids in town paint whatever they wanted on the walls.

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/5074/buttemisc34320110521193.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/240/buttemisc34420110522111.jpg

Waybo

May 23, 2011, 05:29 PM

We spent Saturday in NYC. While standing outside the Ground Zero Museum Workshop (http://www.groundzeromuseum.com/) (featuring an absolutely incredible and moving photo display, on West 14th street between 9th Ave. & 10th Ave. in the Meat-Packing District of Manhattan), I was charmed by this drawing. The irony was that I don't think the people racing past even realized that it was there. :eek:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5750967099_48b2aa4b85.jpg