<<< o >>>Don't touch 26 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

My apologies for the lack of updates but I spent most of last week week writing my latest tutorial – Portraits: part two – on the topic of how to postproduce high-key and low-key portraits. If you're interested, there's some further information here:

http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/p2_info.php

In terms of this image: it's a shot of a electricity/transformer box and was taken on a walk up through the old part of Veliko Tarnovo. If my Bulgarian language skills had improved enough I'd be able to tell you what it says, but all I've been able to work out is that the first bit of the yellow danger signs says 'don't touch' and the poster is advertising something that took place on the 22nd of August (I think).

If you're interested, the original, taken with my Ricoh GRD III is here:

.../archives/dont_touch.php

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10.14pm on 25/9/09
Ricoh GR Digital III
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4x3 + travel [Bulgaria] + urban
comment by Simone at 10:16 AM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Suggestive perspective, and vivid colors! Great work

comment by craig @ID7 at 10:17 AM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Ooooo the old boy is out and about, I'm getting excited....... :-)

comment by bendyourcircuit at 10:28 AM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

The sign says "Don't touch, it's dangerous for your life!" an the poster -- "Only on the 22nd of August, from 10am to 3pm, buying hair, natural hair longer than 35cm, white or dyed hair longer than 40cm, payment according to length and weight, address...".

Cheers from Sofia,
Tina

comment by Alexis at 01:20 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Great processing! Please don't forget to leave a pointer or two (e.g. references to tutorials) on what you did to the original.

comment by DREAMS OF LIGHT at 01:24 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

that's very cool!! the perspective is excellent..

comment by Carlos Garcia at 01:40 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Dave,

Thanks for posting the original as well. To me, the difference in clarity and vividness is amazing. Love the perspective. It looks like the poster is the item of mayhem and danger!

C.

comment by Andrew at 02:35 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Funny - this blog is a case study of mediocre photography turned into flashy eye-catching mediocre photography that's easily mistaken as good because of how flashy it is.

comment by Thatch at 03:34 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

Great to see your shooting some of your location at last ;) keep it up.

comment by Michael Rawluk at 04:02 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

That is a very cool piece. I love it.

comment by Dan at 04:50 PM (GMT) on 26 September, 2009

It never fails to amaze me how often you can take a photograph of something as commonplace as a danger sign and transform it into an eye catching study in colour and contrast. Good work.

comment by 24by36 at 05:04 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2009

I've got to say, this appeals to the graphic designer in me (the colours just pop) and my fascination with urban decay. Good capture.

comment by Robbie Veldwijk at 07:59 PM (GMT) on 27 September, 2009

Wonderful point of view! And the colors are also very nice!

comment by Matteo at 09:41 AM (GMT) on 28 September, 2009

Nice shot, but most of all I appreciate the often linked original photo and reference to tutorials.

@Andrew: show us a link to your blog, 'cause if you believe this is mediocre photography, you have to be a sort of god!

comment by Simon at 11:25 PM (GMT) on 28 September, 2009

I don't understand the comment by Andrew. Thi for me is another example of creating a stunning piece from an image I would normally have discarded. Particularly the colour change of the blue in the image to a sort of burnt rusty orange. Great work David - as always

comment by Dan Kaufman at 08:59 PM (GMT) on 29 September, 2009

Beautiful "danger"... in the eye of the beholder. :)

comment by Nicki at 01:03 AM (GMT) on 30 September, 2009

Simon: We all are artists I think. Critique is good but must be productively. I'm a groupie of Daves work, because I like to see "strange" worlds. There are always people who don't like, thats. Cheers!

comment by Scott Webb at 02:19 PM (GMT) on 30 September, 2009

I love this grungy and contrasty image. I agree with the strange worlds and love to come see what's going on here.

comment by David Chabashvili at 08:32 PM (GMT) on 30 September, 2009

Love the angle and yellow! Cool shot!

comment by Charles at 08:55 PM (GMT) on 30 September, 2009

Love the angle, colours, and textures. Great shot.

comment by jpla at 10:46 AM (GMT) on 2 October, 2009

Bel angle de prise de vue !
JP

comment by Jem at 12:16 PM (GMT) on 2 October, 2009

I'm amazed at the quality of shot you're getting out of the Ricoh! Lovely stuff Dave :)

comment by Ilan at 05:49 PM (GMT) on 2 October, 2009

Funny :)
Trying to read the Cyrillic letter, it looks like the yellow sign says (if I read it in Russian) - " Don't pee, dangerous to you stomach" :)

comment by Mirko Herzner at 11:43 AM (GMT) on 3 October, 2009

I like this shot for its strong colors and the angle. Well done!

comment by cako at 04:39 PM (GMT) on 3 October, 2009

Wow ... fantastic contrasts and a very interesting photo.

comment by Ken at 07:42 PM (GMT) on 3 October, 2009

David, what a great and inspiring photoblog site! Thank you for allowing me so spend some time enjoying your terrific images.

comment by mark / one way photo at 08:09 AM (GMT) on 6 October, 2009

I don't think you need to speak Bulgarian to get the gist of this sign ;-) Very bold and striking image