Notre Dame Crucifix

[diedravitale]

I really like this picture but I have a couple concerns. Is it too dark? Is the crucifix in the center ok? I was shooting in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and flash wasn't allowed so I had to work with what I had. Any tips for shooting in darker settings with no flash? I am a brand new photographer.




EXIF info
Camera: Sony NEX-3
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal length: 16mm
ISO: 1600
Exposure: 0 EV
Flash: Off, did not fire

[forknuts]

hi diedravitale. i'm new at this too so i can't really give you any technical critique, however i can say that in my opinion this is a fantastic photo. perhaps it could have been a little lighter but the mood created by the lighting (or lack of) is fantastic.

[Photologyst]

I like the photo very much. Shows the grim, medieval mood of the dark, gothic cathedral. You could try cropping and focusing on the face, but it may not be in focus.

I often take photos in darkened churches and museums. Just dial up the ISO, play with the exposure triangle and exp compensation. Every situation is different. Sometimes you have lighting from windows or candles, other times it is completely dim. Take a number of exposures to see which works for the particular venue.

I have to dig out a crucifix that I took in an abbey museum recently. It is very similar.

[diedravitale]

Thanks very much! I am still trying to get acquainted with my camera, so I will mess around with it a little bit more next time!! I appreciate you taking the time to help me!!

[Sterling]

I like it. Just curious, what's going on in the bottom left corner? It sort of looks like there is no image there and it's been covered with a vignette.

[cristen]

i think you captured so well the mood of that era with the colors. it was good that flash wasn't allowed inside the cathedral, otherwise, it would have been a different story

the crucifix being at the center is ok as the picture shows symmetry, though a few inches to the right would really have centered it. also, although the ceiling is nice, imho, it competes with the crucifix for attention.

[EOBeav]

Nice. By zooming out, you've made this shot less about the crucifix and more about the architecture around it. Although the image overall is fairly dark, the crucifix itself is properly backlit. With a single exposure like this, I think you run the risk of that part being blown out if you tried to expose for the surrounding area. Nice use of symmetry, too.

[sgeary]

Great photo I think that the darkness adds to the storyline of the photo...great capture!

[diedravitale]

Sterling! Yes I did use a bit of vignette on the bottom left corner, there was a very bright spot there and I felt that it was distracting from the rest of the photo. It kept pulling my eye down there, and that is not what I wanted to happen. Do you feel that I should not have used the vignette? I caught myself using vignette ALOT and I am not sure why...so now I am trying to stray away from it so that I can keep the photo feeling natural.

Cristen! I can totally see the few inches to the right being better, it seems a little off kilter. I was messing with my camera yesterday and I found that I can put a grid up to help me keep my pictures straight when I want them to be. I am finding it very helpful, as I am a super beginner!

Thank you all so much!

P.S. Photologyst! I would really like to see your crucifix picture if you don't mind posting up the photo or a link to it!!