Our Lady Star of the Seas

[Dave Woeller]

I've been super busy trying to survive lately and haven't been able to comment or post. This is an older image I'm posting just to get my feet back in here. I had done a 3 shot hdr image of this church prosessed with Photomatix, and then converted to B&W and added a touch of the older version of Topaz Adjust. I kind of liked the feel of this even better than the straight hdr which was not taken to a grundge look. I always appreciate thoughts and guidance here.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Dave, very nice comp. It looks great in B&W with the very slight grunge-look applied. If it were mine I might crop a tiny bit off the left side so that is matches the right side of the comp a little more. Nice work!

[Dennis Bishop]

The perspective and the use of B&W are very effective in this image. I think the composition is right on -- the bottom of the archway above the altar is placed very well in relation to the total height.

Based on my own preferences, I'd suggest a couple changes. Because they're so light, the middle pair of lights is distracting, so I'd subdue them. In addition, there's opportunity to enhance the feeling of depth by increasing contrast and lightening some of the spaces. That really isn't very descriptive, so I played around a bit to demonstrate what I was thinking.

[Jay Sheinfield]

Dave, excellent perspective on this. I like it low! To me, the symmetry of the comp can be crispped-up just a bit. I agree with Andrew, the left edge column crown and piece and pew are a bit of a distraction. A crop or creative use of Transform should be able to get you there and should also even out the foreground arch. I do like Dennis's post for the lighting work to create depth....Well seen image. Whoops, there is also a sliver of a pew on the right edge, I would clone out if it were mine.

[denise ippolito]

Dave, I like your approach to use B&W with a touch of detail added. I agree w/ Andrew regarding the sliver off the right and good catch by Jay on the teeny bit on the left. Dennis makes a good suggestion about adding some depth. Somewhere in between the two posts for the lights if it were mine and I like the OP alter area and above the windows area a little better. Nice job Dave and it's nice to see you here.

[Dave Woeller]

Thanks, and as always, some great thoughts and advice on some elements that escaped me back when I captured this. Glad I could get back in here. Should be able to improve the image now.

[Arthur Morris]

I like the look and the great suggestions made by the folks above. I am not sure about darkening the two lights as they help bring my eyes from the foreground to that back wall in the distance.....