I happened to be at a seminar in Gloucester so I decided to visit the cathedral to see if I could find something for the challenge. London the day before had not been that productive although I go some arty shots. This shot just stood out, taken with the camera balanced on a monopod while held against the wall.
Post processing:
* shadows/highlights
* curves
* a small amount of dodging
* light clone tool use to remove (well, make into a shadow) a light bulb on the ceiling
* size for competition
* noise ninja
* smart sharpen
* save for web
Statistics
Place: 72 out of 281 Avg (all users): 5.9337 Avg (commenters): 6.7500 Avg (participants): 5.6105 Avg (non-participants): 6.2907 Views since voting: 1516 Views during voting: 264 Votes: 181 Comments: 12 Favorites: 1 (view)
I love old buildings like this. I look at them and wonder, if the pillars could talk, what stories would they have to tell? What have they heard and see that no one else ever has?
Compositionally, I love the "off-side" feeling of this. So many times shots like this are taken staight on with exact symmetry, and while that is nice, this composition gives it a bit more "sophistication" I think. I wondered if it might have been stronger with less foreground and cropped horizontally, BUT, I like how the vertical crop keeps everything "close' and the floor leads into the shot.
Technically, it seems to be okay to me. I am on one of the crappy computers at work, so I can tell you what I see. If it is totally off base, pm me and that will remind me to look at home on a decent monitor (this is why I don't vote at work . . .)
The focus looks just a touch off, like perhaps some graininess was unintentionally achieved during post processing, then removed afterwards. As a result, some of the windows and arches look a little artifact-y. (Again,this may just be this monitor).
Overall, this is a great shot. I think if time had permitted (and weather), a more dramatic lighting would have really upped the wow factor of this one and pushed it into the upper 6's
Excellent perspective, rhythum, and symetry. A slight boost in contrast and saturation without losing detail may add to the dramatic impact. I like this one.
I like all the detail you've found by boosting the midtones of your highlights - and in this architecture there is A LOT of detail - adding to it makes it bit extreme. There is nowhere for the eye to rest - although the leading lines of the floor do draw you to the door - you can't settle there. You need to add some contrast - perhaps if the door were less detailed and darker? Perhaps if the door remained detailed and the rest of the hall became lighter or darker?
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