A Members w/ Zero Posts post

[Martin Kuivenhoven]

Following the discussion on Members w/ Zero Posts i'll give it a shot and illustrate with an image..

I enjoy OPF and see a lot better pictures then my own. For me learning grounds and the quality of the shots & level of discussion is enough reason to be humble ..

Picture below is in Spain in a village near Cadiz. The attempt is to get a symetrical subject. However shot with a 18mm on film it remains a challenge.

Although I like the results I also see area's for improvement. It is not symetrical - level yes, but the poles are not centered in their domes. The fuji superia 400 gives the image quite some grain. And some more aspects that will change into plans for next attempts..

So i'll keep lurking for now and speak up if a can add to the discussion

 

[Rachel Foster]

OK, a question for those who know: Is symmetry all that desirable? Isn't a bit off-center more interesting? And, finally, might shooting it from an angle emphasize symmetry? If you try to frame it dead-on symmetrical, it seems the eye might look for the deviation (where it's not symmetrical). However, if you angle it, the eye would add symmetry (called "good form" by the Gestaltists, I seem to remember).

I wonder how it would look if shot at an angle?

 

[Asher Kelman]

Following the discussion on Members w/ Zero Posts i'll give it a shot and illustrate with an image..

I enjoy OPF and see a lot better pictures then my own.

Be humble with other people's work but try to protect your own mental vision of what you want from your photography. You'll learn the most Martin by putting up your work for feedback. Some responses, of course, have no value! That's one of those things about the web. Everyone becomes an art curator, LOL! Still, we can give out honest reactions, feelings and encouragement. That, IMHO, is worthwhile. After you get the criticisms rewind the movie in your head and measure their value against your own artistic vision and intent. It's ultimately you who have to be thrilled. Whether or not we "get it" is something else. If no one else like your work, tough on them! If you depend on your work for a living, then you better keep your day job!

Picture below is in Spain in a village near Cadiz. The attempt is to get a symetrical subject. However shot with a 18mm on film it remains a challenge.

I like the Moorish influence. You might wan to think as to whether or not you need more or less of the palm trees! Also one can consider getting more than one image and stitching.

As it is the picture is very atttractive. I can see this printed super large and being successful even without cropping or straightening. The fine pattern and the arches make the picture.

Although I like the results I also see area's for improvement. It is not symetrical - level yes, but the poles are not centered in their domes.

Martin,

If you want it to be symmetrical, then you have Photoshop!

It's all dependant on what's in your own mind. No one can deliver that except you!

Asher

 

[nicolas claris]

If you want it to be symmetrical, then you have Photoshop!

That would be electronic salvagie of an image… useful.

Or reshoot with maybe another lens and from a different angle!
That would be photography ;-)

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Where is it in Spain?

I will be in Cadiz in November - where is the village? Maybe I can go and shoot this!

 

[Ray West]

Hi Martin,

If you want a symmetrical image, straight from the camera, then you will need a chain saw to cut down the palm trees ;-). A tripod is necessary, and a lot of checking through the viewfinder to ensure everything is lined up, moving the tripod slightly, checking, adjusting, checking again, until you have it spot on. (The digital technique may be to get to near enough the right place, then fire away a few dozen shots). However, what you have is very good, the patterns are interesting. I think I would take it as a basis for some photoshop type kaleidoscopic effects.

It is not easy using a small viewfinder to frame things exactly.

Best wishes,

Ray

 

[Annie James]

Or reshoot with maybe another lens and from a different angle!
That would be photography ;-)

Amen! And I am an Atheist!

 

[nicolas claris]

And I am an Atheist!

Welcome to the club!, I'm too

 

[Ray West]

I am not an Atheist, I am far too pragmatic for that.

The choice is - flight, hotel, expense, chainsaw, all that goes with it, cf 2 mins with ps (and most of that is uploading it.) I think far too many folk here are stuck in the dark ages. Image is everything.

(I know where the faults are in this quick rendering, but maybe 5 mins by someone who knows his/her stuff, as opposed to my piffling attempt.)

Best wishes,

Ray (I love you all, really ;-) er.... in a platonic way

 

[Ivan Garcia]

Another atheists here ;-)
I do not belong to any religious organisation, except one, Photography.
If you want to get those lines symmetrically lined up, I am afraid you need to dig deep in your pockets, for a sift and tilt lens is required to get that shot right.
Of course as it has been said Photoshop will also do a decent job, but the image will be cropped somewhat.

 

[nicolas claris]

I am not an Atheist, I am far too pragmatic for that.

God bless you!-)

Ray (I love you all, really ;-) er.... in a platonic way

Thanks for the precision!

The choice is - flight, hotel, expense, chainsaw, all that goes with it, cf 2 mins with ps (and most of that is uploading it.) I think far too many folk here are stuck in the dark ages. Image is everything.

This is why I always suggest to think before firing… renting an elevator to be in the right altitude would be less expensive than flying back and so on… or to buy a TS lens…

 

[Greg Rogers]

Following Martin's lead, I suppose I'll jump in with my Newbie 2 cents;

I like the photo. I also tend towards Ray's opinion about manipulation. My first thought goes back decades to my B/W dark/wet-room. It wasn't a breach of purism to skew the paper to correct for alignment, and most likely dozens of other tricks (er....manipulations??) long since forgotten.

I tend to look at PS (or ones photo editor(s) of choice) as a part of the process, not as "cheating". Sadly, since my re-entry to photography a few years back (after an approximate 25 year leave of absence) I am overdoing the manipulation end of it and under-doing the creativity of the original shot. I'm hoping this will turn about soon!

In the case of Martin's shot, IMO it took an amount of creativity simply to envision the shot, and it is interesting and appealing as is. Ray's sample rendition is a great tweak.

Regards,
-Greg

 

[Martin Kuivenhoven]

All, thanks for kind comments & suggestions Ray's approach put a smile on my face and, as well as your suggestions, will get me going in PS !

The object itself - however nice - is not really a landmark. Shooting it with an short lens and at an odd angle makes it come out already but - hence the original post - it still needs quite a bit before it could hit the shelves. On to the next try!

Kathy, city is Chiclana de la Frontera - about 25km's south of Cadiz. Don't miss the Salina's (sea salt mines) or Vitorio's pizza.. You will be looking out for this, in normal perspective:

Rachel, and others commented on the different angles/re-shooting. Here are two other tries but I found the origial to have the biggest impact.

thanks again.

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Malaga

We are actually going to be in Malaga and will be going to Mijas for a day tour. I thought we were going to Cadiz. We went last year to La Alhambra from Malaga. Lot's of photo opportunities in the area. We're doing a walking tour in the Historic Quarter in Malaga.

 

[Giovanni Brembati]

Martin,
I like your first shot. Is it not symmetric? Yes, this is what I like.
The contrast between symmetry of building and asymmetry of natural scene.
Order and disorder blending.