Have I gone too far in editing?:P

[vesitata]

I took this one with my Powershot A520 this summer on a trip to Italy.. The original image was a bit flat...so I enhanced contrast, desaturated it, to get a more raw, medieval looking shot...what do you think about the frame?
Tibi

[jiminyClickit]

vesitata,

Me again, stating a concern about basics: I would not cut off a full standing portrait at the knees, for the same reason I would not cut this wonderful edifice mid-window. It looks incomplete, accidental. Many here would pay good money to get a clouded sky like this, so more of it showing on the sides would be welcome. Even if it means showing tourists or traffic, the whole building is usually a better composition. Or a tighter closeup of a particular feature.

If a frame ever improves a photo shown on DPS, I'll be surprised. Usually they are thrown on out of insecurity over the strength of the photo. Doesn't work that way, more often acting as a distraction. Again, experimenting is encouraged.

The photos I have of medieval times don't look quite like this (sarcasm alert). If the original was flat, and you desaturate, doesn't it emphasize that? Maybe all black and white would further hide the flatness?

[vesitata]

Here's the original shot...this is what I meant by 'flat'. In my opinion it lacks contrast...I prefer the clouds without the blueish gray color, and the cathedral with darker colors, more contrast. I've taken the photo from the middle of a zebra crossing...couldn't take much time to experience with angles(being member of a moving tourist group)... I still believe that I've managed to make a more moody, and maybe better photo by editing it this way...oh...and if I remember well...at that moment, not cutting the windows in half would have meant cutting the heads of some tourists
Sorry for being so stubborn...:P
Tibi

[jiminyClickit]

vesitata,

If we don't stand up for our beliefs, what's a forum for?

Sometimes, I admit, I push to see the original, sometimes I just ask. If you had spent a lot of time here, and then cropped to the windows in edit, that would be altogether different. The backstory to a photo can alter the Critque, as can discovery of equipment shortcomings, or weather, all sorts of things. The photo still stands naked before us, and the photographer is ultimately responsible for the wrinkles, blemishes and posture of it.

You put a better face on this one, comparing it to the original, and that leaves only one thing to suggest: let the gold cross/sculpture on higher spire show through against the dark clouds.

[vesitata]

Thanks for your words....Letting the sculpture shine in gold is a great idea.
Tibi

[Manda]

I think this photo has great potential - have you got Dan M books as he uses a similar (Russian) building that needed the pink hues in the walls emphasised? (http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-LAB-...pd_sim_b_img_1).

I know why you went for BW too, but I would avoid a straight desaturation. This web site has some great BW conversions to try:http://www.blackandwhitedigital.com/Enhance/taeger.html

Let us know how you get on

[peeperita]

i like the edit.....there's a lot more impact with it's tim burtonish mood....good job...

peeper

[Lance Nelson]

I like it, I just think that the building is popping too much. It just looks separated.

[NinJA999]

I think you did an excellent job salvaging a somewhat flat photo. It certainly pops more, and it does have a darker mood. I do think the frame slightly detracts from the shot, and that the gold should be more saturated, but other than that, excellent.

[vesitata]

Thanks for your advice..
I've edited it with the method described on the site mentioned by manda...interesting...but maybe a bit over the edge:P

And with a sepia tone