Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

[Stan]

This one processed with Nik Color Efex Pro

stan

[Cyberman]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Sorry, not sure. Something isn't working for me, it's maybe a bit 'flat'.

[Stan]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Thanks for looking Andy

Not sure about being flat as it has a full range of tones and has not had a lot of processing other than contrast and a boost of the colours from the original out of the camera, which did look a bit flat

Will see if there are any further comments

Stan

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

I'm with Andy on this one. I'm not sure why, it's just not doing it for me.

[tesarver]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Nice depth and contrast to the image stan. Do like the evening light against the structures.

Tom

[Tigger]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

nice shot I like that and I agree with Tom great light against the buildings

I think the problem is the plastic box / scaffolding as you eyes are pulled towards that, but little you could do about that, but I'm sure you'll be using your cheap railcard and returning to London with your trusty book again :)

[Stan]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Thanks Tom and Ian

Yes, the trouble is scaffolding and cranes are all part of the urban scene in London and few places you can avoid them

Perhaps a crop might help

stan

[Tigger]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

thats the crop I would have tried

[Parsen66]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Now see, I prefer the original with St Pauls on a third, with the crop it's too central now.

[Stan]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

with the crop it's too central now.

yes, its not quite sitting right now

stan

[@imagesBV]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

I'm not sure if flat is the right term...but I agree the distribution of darks and lights has been altered by expanding the original levels as shot to right across the dynamic range of the camera by (levels adjustment perhaps)....thus making all areas more averagely illuminated (and adjacent features less contrasting) than you would see in real life.
There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion....the camera can make a very real looking image without any help by setting everything to auto. what makes a good photograph is the presentation of an image with impact, colour...and any manipulation to provide the effect intended by the photographer.
As for composition I think the second crop is better....its not worse because it doesn't fit the rule of thirds...but it is better without the construction works. Just my opinion. I like it and I think it would look great framed on the wall.

[Stan]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Thanks for looking Brian

The shot is an in camera HDR so the dynamic range was mostly sorted in camera and the processing with Nik has just enhanced the colours a little but more or less the colours are as seen on the evening

stan

[@imagesBV]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

Oh I see...thats not a function I've used yet (I assume its available on the 5DIII)...I must give it a try....cheers Stan.

[Stan]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

It is - Ian uses it on his.

When I am doing this sort of shot, I always set up for HDR, although I don't always use the resultant image it is very useful to have the three options to mix and match and blend manually, perhaps just needing to use the sky from one and the foreground from another

Stan

[@imagesBV]

Re: Blackfriars and St Pauls dusk

I think I've been missing out....ill be trying that out next weekend....thanks!