Our Lady of Perpetual Help

[ShaneS]

This lovely little Catholic church in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale dates to 1933 and was built using Adobe construction techniques in the Spanish Colonial Revival style.

The area is heavily trafficked by both tourists and vehicle which led me to an upward facing composition that focuses on the bell tower.

I chose a rather high key black and white conversion.



This shot was taken at about 10AM and the desert sun can be quite a challenge to deal with during most daylight hours.

I visit Arizona once a year or so and would love to get your overall thoughts in the image and PP so I can keep them in mind on future visits or for similar scenes elsewhere.

[IzzieK]

I like the way you did this, Shane...I have yet to try high key or straight B/W so all I can say is well done. I like that the whole structure you decided to show is clearly visible and no other distractions I can nit about. It is minimalistic and sharp and I love it.

[Shadowman]

Shane,

Nice. Sometimes when you are stuck shooting during the day you just have to let the shadows go black.

[Mike Buckley]

Remarkable image! Despite the time of day and quality of light (I know what it's like in that area), each part of the dome is a different luminosity. The type of clouds complements the rest of the image very nicely.

A series of architectural images made in this style would be especially enjoyable.

[Donald]

That is a beauty. Immediately made me think of Ansel Adams' "Arches, North Court, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona".

The composition is, I think, wonderful.

[Loose Canon]

I think this is a remarkable image because of the time of day and quality of light.

Harsh sunlight isn’t always a demon and this is a great example Shane.

Desert scenes, urban decay, stark and desolate scenes, adobe architechture (as in this case) are a couple of examples that can all photograph well in harsh light. In this case I would bet that the scene might not be photographed as effectively in an evening light.

A fine job with the conversion. Excellent candidate for it and an excellent eye.

Great work!

[William W]

+1 Mike Buckley's comment: the six facets of the dome are excellent work that top off a really nice overall B&W capture.

Good shot.

Bravo!

WW

[deetheturk]

Lovely shot Shane,well done!

[thegman]

Very good subtle yet striking shot. Simplicity is best sometimes.

[Manfred M]

I agree with the other posters, the shot works quite nicely. I think you have positioned the church just about perfectly from the top of the frame; there is just the right amount of clearance from the top of the cross to the edge of the image. I also like the treatment of the clouds; they add a nice amoung of contrast to the white of the building itself.

The only area of the shot that I might play with, if it were my image is the rotation of the image. I wonder if a small counter-clockwise rotation might not be needed. The building seems to be leaning to the right ever so slightly.

[Mike Buckley]

The building seems to be leaning to the right ever so slightly.

I agree. The problem, though, is that the cross is already leaning to the left and will lean even more so if Shane corrects the building. I think the current positioning might be as good a compromise as can be had.

[Rita]

I think it is a great image Shane. It holds my attention and yet it leaves room for imagination.

[AndrewMcD]

As Donald mentioned I immediately thought of Ansel Adams but I am so impressed with the unique treatment you have given the image; you have made it entirely your own. I wouldn't change a thing.

Andrew

[John 2]

I think this is a remarkable image because of the time of day and quality of light.

Harsh sunlight isn’t always a demon and this is a great example Shane.................
..............A fine job with the conversion. Excellent candidate for it and an excellent eye.

Great work!

I couldn't agree more.

[Brownbear]

Beautiful image! And very nice to know that you photographed it in full sunlight... I can see what everyone is saying about the facets of the dome, just by viewing the image.

[FootLoose]

I viewed this image yesterday afternoon but website was up to its old tricks and wouldn't accept my post. I wanted to compliment you on the exposure. White walls in harsh sunlight are difficult to say the least. But also, the cloud structure to the left of the building seems to have a (ghostly) sad face in it that complements the subject of the image.

[ShaneS]

Thank you everyone! The references to Ansel Adams work are quite flattering and very motivating.

Manfred, you have no idea how many times that I tried to straighten this image! If I remember correctly, I settled on using the corner of foremost pillar on the left but the building is quite wonky (a result of adobe construction methods and age I would guess) so it was a compromise as Mike suggested. I will take another look though to be sure.

I had just gotten off a red eye flight and had breakfast with a girlfriend before capturing this image and it was the first image that I took on the trip. I went back to try it again a couple of days later thinking that I could do better but there were clear skies and the wispy clouds really made this image special for me and I am so glad that Mike and Manfred saw that too.

I took a lot of time processing the dome to ensure that I brought out as much detail as possible. I used some of the techniques and tips that have been discussed lately on CiC with regard to processing white water in processing the building and dome so I will take a moment to tip my hat to all who participated in those discussions.

Thanks again everyone! You made my day

[Mike Buckley]

it was the first image that I took

What a way to get started!

[William W]

. . . you have no idea how many times that I tried to straighten this image! . . . I will take another look though to be sure. . .

Rough indicative below, using CR2 for your info. The Cross seems to be on an angle to the Church's Vertical line.




Corrections

Remove Distortion: + 4.00 (i.e. Toward Pincushion)
Transform Vertical Distortion: - 25
Transform Horizontal Distortion: - 22
Angle Rotate: 1.00°


WW

[bnnrcn]

Wonderful image Shane