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FACING STAIRCASES

© Debbie E. Payne

FACING STAIRCASES

Uploaded: July 27, 2009

Description

To me this looks like it could be somewhere in Europe not just in the neighboring state of Utah. This building was taken after the last tour group went through and we were almost the only people still there.

Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/50 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 17.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D

Comments

Anthony L. Mancuso July 28, 2009

I think this topic has come up before and I am no expert on the subject but when you shoot architecture I think some degree of distortion is unavoidable. Is this image I also think you have to go with getting the light chain straight or it will not look right.and the lean of the pillars does not really bother me...great image by the way..i think maybe the brightnees of the floor on the bottom half might steal some of the attention from the more intersting aspects of the shot, but lets hear what the others have to say... #1160333

Gary Lange July 28, 2009

I'm pretty much with Anthony here, Debbie. It's a wonderful shot. Usually a good tilt and shift lens will cure a lot of ills in shooting architecture but those lenses are pretty steep in price. Photoshop has a cure of sorts for correcting distortion. I think it's under the Filter>Distortion>lens correction menu. I may be off a bit. Play around with the controls and see what you come up with. My 2 cents...for what it's worth, it's a beautiful image. #7790414

Debbie E. Payne July 28, 2009

Thank you Tony and Gary. I may just leave this one alone as I have yet to try the PS editing software for lens distortions. Probably something I should try. I have just been looking at the images and asking myself what NEEDS to be straight here for the picture to be believable? And the answer usually boils down to GRAVITY! Thanks for your comments. I finally got a trial of Topaz Adjust and tried a Spicify filter to a similar capitol shot. #7790469

Dale Hardin July 28, 2009

While some distortion is unavoidable and the mind blocks some out, when you have a portion such as the right pillar so close to the edge of the image for the viewer to compare against a straight edge, it does become a problem.

This is easily corrected using the camera lens distortion tool in PhotoShop but will require a bit of cropping. I believe the result would be worth it so that the viewer isn't constantly drawn to a perceived tilt. That distraction subtracts from his enjoyment of your wonderful shot. #7790820

Sharon Lohrmann July 28, 2009

debbie, unfortunately, I can't help with the distortion question. but I can comment on how vivid these two images are. I really like the tonal quality and detail.

of the two you've posted, I like the second better, albeit a bit darker. I prefer the composition, particularly as it relates to the positioning of the staircase. in the first one the staircase gets in the way a bit for me (i can't think of a better way to say that).

where was this taken? #7791821

Debbie E. Payne July 28, 2009

Sharon, this was taken at the capitol builidng in Salt Lake City. Such a beautiful building it is! The second image has a Topaz Adjust Spicify filter added. #7791832

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 28, 2009

I agree with Sharon, I really like the second one better, because of it being deeper in color. I wonder what the first one would look like in the Topaz Adjust Spicify filter it might tone down the brightness of the floor. these both are very beautiful images Debbie. very nicely done. #7792264

Debbie E. Payne July 28, 2009

With Dale's help, I fixed the perspective distortion slightly which wasn't difficult at all. Does it look any different to you? And then I tried the Spicify filter with some levels adjustments and came up with a version which matches my second one on this thread. #7792370

Debbie E. Payne July 28, 2009

BTW Dale, I just now noted that I cropped even a bit closer on the Lessened/Spicify's right edge than I did on the just Lessened one. I prefer the tightest crop but not sure if I like the Spicify better than the original. #7792377

Dale Hardin July 28, 2009

I like the tighter crop also because the tiny bit of pillar left in the first one added nothing to the comp.

Both images look good because the shot has such fantastic detail and tones. Remember on the Topaz that you can reduce the opacity for the balance you prefer. #7792489

Rita K. Connell level-classic July 29, 2009

debbie what a hard choice there is something about both of them I love. I really really like this shot you did a very nice job. can't pick... but I do like the tighter crop for sur. #7793768

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic July 29, 2009

I went back to look at your last posts and lost my comments. This is a beautiful building and you do it justice, the last two posts make it very hard to pick one. I like the colors in the non Spicify and the crop in the Specify. #7794992

Jodi M. Walsh July 29, 2009

very nice and my preference is without the Spice :-) i'm always amazed at these architecture shots. #7795414

Teresa H. Hunt July 30, 2009

This is a beautiful photo! I like the changes you made. #7797353

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