B&W Orthodox church

[jope11]

Hi all,

I would really appreciate some thoughts mainly about B&W conversion but also about composition...

Thanx a lot in advance!!!!



EXIF

Camera Fujifilm FinePix S9500
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/4.5
Focal Length 6.8 mm
ISO Speed 100

[work2well]

For my 2p I prefer more conventional vertical/horizontal composition, and I can't help but feel that the church would be a lot more striking if it were brighter, and more "obvious".

Apart from that I'm a fan of historic architecture.

[EOBeav]

Overall, it's pretty dark. Try to do your b/w conversion so you get more even tones throughout your image. I'm not a big fan of the intentionally diagonal comp. Also, the power lines running through the top ruin it for me.

[jope11]

Thanks for reply...

Well church is in reality pretty dark so I did the contrast in the photo as similar as in reality.. But yes it's bit darker than maybe it should be... I was looking for somewhat gloomy effect... I have to say that I prefer bit more black and dark in my B&W pictures but it's just about persons taste. That's why I've put it in this section to see what do people think and what I should improve

Diagonal composition was experimental just to see it's effect on viewers... I'm also not very happy about it...

And yes cables are really ugly and distracting... I'll try removing them in Photoshop but I should have tried to miss them in the first place...

[Krusty79]

I agree that the church is pretty dark, the power lines have to go and the tilted horizon does not help. I've never seen it used effectively on a landscape shot, just on some action shots and portraits. I think it works against the gloomy effect you wanted.

[flytyer57]

If you're looking for a "gloomy effect" why not go back and shoot at night. Full moon behind steeple? Foggy night? Night shot with moon shining on front of church? If at all possible avoid any ambient unnatural light. If there is no moon, you could try lighting some highlights of the church using a torch (flashlight).

I wish I had a church near by that looked like that. Most of the churches where I live are either relatively new modern style, or old one room school house type churches. Nothing Gothic looking at all.