More from Italy

[jordand]

[FrankMi]

Hi Jordan, I like the very unique vantage point in the first one. The second one is well done but perhaps just a bit static. This would be a great shot with an interesting human element. For example, and old man pedaling a well worn bicycle, heading home with a few vegetables from the market in his basket?

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, very dramatic lighting.

[John 2]

These have got a nice feel to them Jordan. I like them both.

[Manfred M]

Again, a couple of very well executed images. As before, I find the HDR treatment a bit heavy for my taste, but this in no way takes away from the excellent composition and execution of these two shots.

I find the first one most compelling, because of the unusual point of view. Yes, there are other shots that have been taken looking up from the courtyard of a building, but in this case, the lines and angles add a bit of a sureal look to the image. Keeping the sky from blowing out provides this shot with a natural place for our eyes to go as we follow the direction of the walls. Well done!


The second shot is interesting as well. Again, I can understand why you chose this technique; we have a bit of a section of wall that the sun is hitting, while the rest of the area is in relative shadow. Our eyes are definitely drawn to the brighter areas. I wonder a bit though, if a bit more of a crop; the foreground and the walls on both sides might produce a bit more focus to the image. Regardless, the image does work really well.

[dje]

Both good Jordan but it's the second one that leaps out at me. I like the composition with the path leading down the hill and the sunlight on part of the building really adds interest.

Dave

[deetheturk]

Nice captures Jordan,its #2 for me!

[CaolIla]

I like them a lot. The first one gives almost the feel of a painting. The HDR are on the edge to being too much for me too, but on the right side of the edge.

[IzzieK]

I like #2 myself, Jordan but as Frank mentioned (and I agree with him in this), it lacks the human element to complete the story.

[bnnrcn]

I actually like both of them Jordan #1 is very interesting composition and I like your treatment to the image very much. #2 reminds me a quiet place and I like the composition as it is. I like the light on the door.

[Scouse]

One waits patiently until people are out of the frame to take your well planned and executed shot and........

I like them both for reasons mentioned. I'm not a HDR man but I do appreciate a well done shot. The tonal quality is excellent.

[jordand]

Thank you, all, for C&C! HDR had been mentioned so many times, that I just want to make it clear. I used single RAW for all these photos and after the usual editing I ran then through Nik Color Efex. I agree some of them have yellowish cast, but to be honest all of the Toscana region as in that tonality. Even Siena color comes from that part of Italy... As for the monochrome editing, I was rather thinking of cyanotype. Couple of these will be ready soon. GrumpyDiver, I admit I was very fond of HDR in my early days as a passionate amateur, but than I realized the importance of doing it right in the camera. The problem is that in the case with Palazzo Vecchio the range was too wide for my D7000 to handle with so I had no other option, but to push the range to the limit.
By the way, this picture is yet another example of the capabilities of Tokina 11-16 in enclosed spaces.

[Scouse]

That is interesting. As I said "I like that tonal quality, it's Italy.

[dubaiphil]

Thank you, all, for C&C! HDR had been mentioned so many times, that I just want to make it clear. I used single RAW for all these photos and after the usual editing I ran then through Nik Color Efex. I agree some of them have yellowish cast, but to be honest all of the Toscana region as in that tonality. Even Siena color comes from that part of Italy... As for the monochrome editing, I was rather thinking of cyanotype. Couple of these will be ready soon. GrumpyDiver, I admit I was very fond of HDR in my early days as a passionate amateur, but than I realized the importance of doing it right in the camera. The problem is that in the case with Palazzo Vecchio the range was too wide for my D7000 to handle with so I had no other option, but to push the range to the limit.
By the way, this picture is yet another example of the capabilities of Tokina 11-16 in enclosed spaces.

Using Tonal Contrast in Color Efex, Jordan? Did you just use this as a layer on the foreground and buildings, or globally to include the sky?

[Pohled]

Hi,

Nice pictures.

Well, on the contrary of others, I liked number 2. I like the feeling of lacking, not only the presence of something can tell us a story, but the absence does it as well - why the street is empty? where is every body? is there any danger around? a natural disaster? a war? See... there's a story there.

[Wavelength]

Awesome