Sorrowful Steps, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

Last in the line of 鷔tairs�, these ones are a bit more�shall we say, wretched?!! After visiting the prison itself, I casually took my time around The Rock and came upon this view. Alcatraz inmates must have been tortured with not only the beautiful skyline and excitement of San Franciso just out of reach, but also the never-ending thoughts of 焅reedom�so close, and yet so far away!�

As you can see, a lot of the islands grounds have been left in a state of disrepair, but I loved all of the texture it presented and thought this would at least make for an interesting photo. I can remember being so intently concerned with getting a steady shot that I forgot to pay attention to the aperture, and regrettably left a lot of the focus unsharpened. Live and learn, right? :)

Thanks for taking a look!

ikeharel, timecapturer, rogerl, krzychu30, danos, delpeoples, kordinator has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CPD66 (960) 2013-06-21 4:35

Hi Jason,
good composition, i like the juxtaposition between the old worn out stairs and the new and vibrant buildings in the background.
Good shot, TFS
Chris

No_One (4) 2013-06-21 5:23

Hi Jason,
Wretched they may be, but like so many wretched things in this world, they are filled with character and tell an evocative story as to what they have seen. Looking at this scene, I can just see the history that has passed here, and can easily imagine one of those speeded up timelines, as the weather changes rapidly, and the skyline beyond grows to create the city we see today.
Your composition brings brilliant depth too, leading down the stairs and into the scene, then across the bay to the city.

Really a great scene, full of soul and with a wonderful skyline to top it all off! Well done.
Have a great weekend.
NOel

carlo62 (81265) 2013-06-21 5:42

Ciao Jason
una foto molto originale, straordinaria la differenza tra il primo piano ed il panorama.
Ottimo pov, il taglio verticale da molta profondit�.
Saluti
Carlo

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-06-21 5:43

Hi Jason!
Great picture, specially for its pov, composition, vertical format and note!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

rbassin (27472) 2013-06-21 6:00

hello Jason
une bonne prise de vue, bien cadr嶪 et belle opposition entre ce vieux d嶰or et la ville moderne.
Bonne journ嶪
Roland

ikeharel (112391) 2013-06-21 6:27

Decayed backyard from the abandond gail, in contrast to the modern city of SFO on far, Jason.
Perspective well chosen, with the sea that separated inmates and gave them dreams about freedome when the place was occupied.
An idea well rendered,
Ike

timecapturer (49288) 2013-06-21 8:01

Hi Jason
a different view of SF this and I really like it. It was a long time ago that I visited Alcatraz but I do remember it being an emotional and strange experience. These old steps must have seen so many footfalls over the years and this wonderful POV seems to add to the effect here, that plus the shadows. Powerful imagery!

Have a great weekend - regards Brian.

Royaldevon (85576) 2013-06-21 13:36

Hi Jason,

A fine eye for composition has given us the view that was shared by the inmates, a tantalising and at the same time wretched view. Here, life is on hold, across the water, all is happening! Now as then, wouldn't you say!
Love the stair rail and its shadow. They look like decaying teeth - uncared for, unloved!

Have a great w/e,
Bev :-)

emka (157280) 2013-06-21 23:24

Hi Jason, As I understand, the photo made in Alcatraz. it must be a terrible place. Indeed, I am not sure if they enjoyed the view of San Francisco, but we can. The view is gorgeous. Interesting stairs, I like the shadows made by arches. good photo.
have a nice weekend

Malgo

dkmurphys (79209) 2013-06-22 1:43

Hi Jason,
Interesting composition with the foreground ruins of te island. Spectacular result, I like it a lot.

Daniel

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-06-22 8:15

Hi Jason,
you愉e right-for us the view of the San Francisco愀 skyline is delightful and for prisoners must have been a torment(like an additional punishment for breaking the law).
Materfully composed image Jason.It愀 another time I惴 amazed how devastated or abandoned places can look so captivating on photos.The contrast between FG and the skyline in the BG is really strong.
And finally it愀 also a great contribution to your latest series of stairs.
Nicely done!

PS.The concert was great my friend.Definitely worth every � spent on it and...lack of sleep:)

Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

danos (110407) 2013-06-23 2:16

Hello Jason,
nice the view as the presentation from this section of Alcatraz with the stairs in are stay until now to remember this terrible prison.The stairs lead-in the eye on the see and after this on the opposite modern San Francisco's buildings.

Regards,Danos

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-06-23 3:24

Hello Jason,

Through the vertical frame,you have been able to capture the foreground as well as the background quite admirably.Two worlds apart - The desolate island grounds in the FG and a modern city across the blue sea in the BG.Good job done.TFS.

Have a great Sunday,
Farhat

serp2000 (47063) 2013-06-23 20:10

Hi, Jason,
It looks like a contrast between old infrastructure of the prison island and so rich and attractive city on the background. Yes, "Freedom�so close, and yet so far away!"
You have good opportunity to make such rare and original photos. Excellent result!
have a great new week!
Serghei

delpeoples (60342) 2013-06-27 20:37

Dear Jason

Now this is something really new from Alcatraz. We are used to seeing the insides of the prison, but not daylight. As you say, how tantalising for the prisoners to view the city so close yet so out of reach. I know you're focusing on the stairs here, and perhaps the shallow depth of field (f/4)was your preference. But - and this is just a personal preference too - I would really have liked to have seen a sharper depth of field for the city, perhaps by using f/11 or higher. But as I said, this is not a mistake by you, it's choice a question of personal choice. The vertical frame is excellent, accentuating the length of the steps and depth of the image generally. These poor old steps have seen better days, but their decrepit state is really the star of the show. I love the rotted wood and green lichen clinging to the stair rails for dear life. Nice work, and very interesting to read about.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

kordinator (8738) 2013-06-28 0:33

Hello Jason
A very original, amazing the difference between the first floor and the view.
Great pov, the vertical cut from a lot of depth.
Thanks for sharing
Sa惨