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01/07/2004 05:45:33 PM · #1
I've had a few people tell me they really like this photo, but I'm not certain I like it at all. Something about it bothers me, but I can't put my finger on what it is. I've been hanging on to this shot for several months, not quite sure if I should work on it or forget about it. Any suggestions as to why I have such mixed feelings about this particular photo? I've included black and white and color version. Any input would be appreciated.


01/07/2004 05:51:49 PM · #2
Hey,

I efintely like the colour version better. I like the gradual fade from dark to light as the lighthouse extends upwards. The one cloud is nice but wierd at the same time. Maybe if the crop was less tight we could see more of it instead of it looking a bit like smoke.

I'm guessing it's a lighthouse but anyway, dont like the writing on it. Maybe from another angle without the writing. Dunno. As for how you feel, really dunno. What are something syou like about it and then some things that you don't. You were there so can you visualise other angles and/or compostions that might be more appealing to you? I mean, it cought your eye so you must (I assume) like something about it & plus posting this thread. If you feel it is worth working on, go for it! Maybe you could do some funky things in post processing that will makye it even better!
01/07/2004 05:59:17 PM · #3
What i see in this image is one of those impossible exposures. The overall image is underexposed, but any more exposure, and the hot spots that are here would be really overdone. The lighting is not good overall for this photo at this particular time. It would be worth a reshoot at a different time of day most likely.
01/07/2004 07:32:59 PM · #4
The lettering is "LINOMA" but the angle that you photographed it, your eyes will read it as "AMONIL". I think that the glare in the letters may be distracting.
01/07/2004 08:56:19 PM · #5
I agree that if a reshoot is possible, it might be worth trying. Different lighting, time of day, or even time of year (changing the angle of the sun) could make a difference. Also, did you use a polarizer? It could help in two ways: it may reduce the glare on the letters, and it can do interesting things with a bright stone structure against a blue sky. I was in DC over the holiday, and discovered while taking pictures of the monuments that different adjustments to the polarizer could have really interesting effects. Turned just the right way (which was technically somewhat the wrong orientation based on how I've normally used it) the stone structures would just pop out against the sky. Might be worth a try with this tower.
01/07/2004 09:35:15 PM · #6
Thanks everyone for your input. I think a reshoot is in order. Maybe a slightly different angle and definitely at a different time of day. I have friends that comment on my work all the time, but none of them are into photography, so your feedback is invaluable to me. Thanks
Chris
01/09/2004 03:15:48 AM · #7
Here are some expamples of the results I got using a polarizer while shooting the Washington Monument:



As far as I recall, the first shot had the blocking axis 90 degrees off the direction of the sun, the second shot had the blocking axis lined up with the sun, and the third was about halfway between the other two. But at the time I took these shots, I was paying more attention to the effect than to the orientation of the filter, so I could be off there. I am sure that the third one was in between the other two - I just took that shot to see what the result was, and to my recollection that's actually closest to how the scene looked to the naked eye. But I really liked the effect achieved in the second shot - it really makes the monument stand out (and also does nice things for the clouds and the reflection as well).
01/09/2004 03:32:20 AM · #8
That's a pretty dramatic difference -- thanks for posting those. I think the effect you got with that middle shot is the point of using the polarizing filter.
01/09/2004 03:53:49 AM · #9
cshep

I agree with what John said, it is worth a reshoot.

I hope you don't mind I downloaded your photo and ran the Fred Miranda automation on it and here is what it looks like before and after:

Keep in mind this was the low res web file. But the glare on the text is still to strong. Maybe you could do something with the original, not sure what you want to use it for.

Before: After:

01/09/2004 05:29:28 AM · #10
If I could change anything, it would be a shift in the composition. I would want it coming a little more from the corner, rather than straight up the middle.
01/09/2004 06:57:16 AM · #11
Originally posted by jmsetzler:

What i see in this image is one of those impossible exposures. The overall image is underexposed, but any more exposure, and the hot spots that are here would be really overdone. The lighting is not good overall for this photo at this particular time. It would be worth a reshoot at a different time of day most likely.


He is right, but perhaps by using dodging a bit you can enchance the dark areas of the builkding and make it stand out more.
01/09/2004 07:00:54 AM · #12
Originally posted by jonpink:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

What i see in this image is one of those impossible exposures. The overall image is underexposed, but any more exposure, and the hot spots that are here would be really overdone. The lighting is not good overall for this photo at this particular time. It would be worth a reshoot at a different time of day most likely.


He is right, but perhaps by using dodging a bit you can enchance the dark areas of the builkding and make it stand out more.


Dodging may be useful, but in my experience with the dodge tool, anything more than minimal dodges creates a lot of noise in the image.
01/09/2004 12:51:29 PM · #13
Originally posted by ScottK:

Here are some expamples of the results I got using a polarizer while shooting the Washington Monument:

Wow, what a difference! When I bought my camera back in June, the guy at the camera store told me there were no filters that would fit the Nikon CP 5700. I know there are filters available now, but I'm reluctant to buy anything more for my camera since I'm seriously considering a D100. There are a couple of issues with the 5700 I'm just not happy with.
01/09/2004 01:11:25 PM · #14
Originally posted by Calvus:

I hope you don't mind I downloaded your photo and ran the Fred Miranda automation on it and here is what it looks like before and after:

What a dramatic difference. Please forgive my ignorance, but what the heck is Fred Miranda automation? I did try something that gave me very similar results using contrast masking, is that what you did?
01/09/2004 01:25:04 PM · #15
Originally posted by hortopth:

If I could change anything, it would be a shift in the composition. I would want it coming a little more from the corner, rather than straight up the middle.

Good idea. The day I shot this, I didn't think it through very well. The sky that day was a very deep blue, and I think I was trying to capture that in contrast with this lone cloud and the white lighthouse. I didn't have much time to compose as the cloud was moving quickly. I also remember not having much room to move about the base of the light house, as it sits only a few feet from a very busy highway. I'm definitely going to take more time when I go back for a reshoot. Now, if the weather would just cooperate.
01/09/2004 01:29:45 PM · #16
Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Dodging may be useful, but in my experience with the dodge tool, anything more than minimal dodges creates a lot of noise in the image.

I had to laugh when I read this. A dodge tool in my hands is a dangerous thing. I've got to be the worlds worst when it comes to dodging, noise being the least of my problems. :)
01/09/2004 01:47:55 PM · #17
It is Fred Miranda's Shadow Recovery Plugin. When used in Photoshop it runs under File, Automation.

Look for the SR Shadow Recovery Pro V1.1 PC or MAC

//www.fredmiranda.com/software/

This is the note he has on his site:

*This plugin only works with 16-bit files when using Photoshop CS. When using Photoshop Elements 1 and 2, Photoshop 6.0 or 7.0, it will only work with 8-bit files.


Originally posted by cshep:

Originally posted by Calvus:

I hope you don't mind I downloaded your photo and ran the Fred Miranda automation on it and here is what it looks like before and after:

What a dramatic difference. Please forgive my ignorance, but what the heck is Fred Miranda automation? I did try something that gave me very similar results using contrast masking, is that what you did?

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