I think this is a good one - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/25/2004 08:13:12 PM · #1

I got this photo to night as the sun was going down. I have this and I also have some silouets. Let me know what you think.

skylen

Nikon D200

09/25/2004 08:46:13 PM · #2

Fabulous! I love the sharpness of the sky and the statue. Great tones here.

Did you use a fill flash or something to light the statue against the seemingly brighter sky? Or was the ambient light enough, and I assume you had to +EC or use spot metering/manual exposure to push up the exposure?

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/25/2004 08:48:04 PM · #3

Although I'm not sure about how it's cropped along the bottom, I think it's a nice photo of the statue and it's well captured.

I'm usually not a huge fan of statue pictures that are basically a documentation of what's there...there just doesn't seem to be much 'story' to those types of shots, unless the statue has some significance to the viewer.

...but it's a pretty good photo...

09/25/2004 08:49:11 PM · #4

I have the sb600, i set it to ttl/bl stood to the side of the statue, tilted the flash to the statue and fired. I also must add that this was shot in jpeg (fine) and has not been altered in photoshop at all.

09/26/2004 08:45:58 AM · #5

Does anyone think it could be inproved at all?

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/26/2004 10:11:56 AM · #6

Hi Travis. You have a good eye for finding a nice subject to shoot. I do think that more contrast would help the shot, either by tweaking curves or through a bit of burning in the clouds and statue. Also, it seems kind of odd that we see just that tiny little patch of ground in the bottom corner. A sunset usually includes a horizon for perspective, and I think it would help to show a bit of that in your photo as well. Since it's not available in this photo, I would just clone it out altogether. Next time, you might also wait a few minutes to get that really spectacular sunset color, since this one is still pretty bright.

But all of this criticism is just in response to your request for ways to improve the photo. I like it a lot and think it looks very nice as it is, though it definitely would look better with more contrast. Happy shooting!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/26/2004 06:31:30 PM · #7

Thanks for the coments, if anyone would like to add feel free.

Travis

frisca

Nikon D70

09/26/2004 08:31:08 PM · #8

I agree with phillip. Try playing with the curves and levels and see if it pops anymore. :)

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

09/26/2004 09:17:21 PM · #9

Ok I did some adjustig.

Canon EOS-60D

09/26/2004 09:21:10 PM · #10

Beautiful... Love that version!

parrothead

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

09/26/2004 09:35:50 PM · #11

Much better! It was a nice shot to begin with...but that mad all the difference

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/26/2004 11:24:45 PM · #12

Almost. The darkened background is great, but you need to boost the contrast on that statue to match the dramatic lighting better. Otherwise, the statue looks like it's pasted onto the [differently lit] background. I think it would also help to show a bit of the ground along the bottom edge (even if you have to create one as a silhouette).

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

09/27/2004 04:49:18 AM · #13

You really nailed that sky, Travis. Try burning shadows on the statue to deepen those grooves and you'll have a really sweet shot. Nice work.

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

09/27/2004 10:02:19 AM · #14

Try it in black and white, someone. It is lovely but the yellowish tinge bothered me in the original

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/27/2004 10:10:45 AM · #15

Not trying to be a poopy, but that looks so much like a typical photoshop-sky. I'm not sure what it is...maybe the yellow and the dark blue?

I dunno...am I jaded? Would I have known it was photoshopped if this wasn't a digital photography site?

I think so, but I could be wrong...

Message edited by author 2004-09-27 10:11:10.