Available Light

Some years ago, a friend and I came up with the idea of a joint photo project about the desolate, cold hearted and lonely city. The working title was "De Grootstad" (Flemish for 'the Big City') and the idea was to shoot exclusively with available light, which later became the official title of an exhibition we did with a selection of our best photos. Most of the time we ended up pushing the Tri-X at 1200 or 1600 ASA and we loved the resulting grain, the burnt and blooming highlights and the dirty effect because it suited the atmosphere so well of the city on those wet and dark december days and nights. I still do love that effect. Incidently, the above image pictures my friend Daniel leaning against a wall, composing his next shot. All the pictures shown here were taken in Brussels with my trusty Nikon FM and the Nikkor 24mm/F2.8 lens which I regard as my 'standard' lens.
All pictures by Benny Stevens (c)