Werfen Castle 2 Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another photo taken of Werfen Castle, in the Austrian Alps just south of Salzburg.

Another photo of the caslte from a different perspective can be found here.

Information on the caslte (from Wikipedia):
Burg Hohenwerfen The former fortification dating from the 11th century towers high above the Salzach Valley. Hohenwerfen served Salzburg's rulers, the prince-archbishops, not only as a military base but also as a residential and hunting retreat. Alternatively it was used as a state prison and therefore had a somewhat sinister reputation. Its prison walls have witnessed the tragic fate of many 'criminals' who spent their days there - maybe their last - under inhuman conditions, and, periodically, various highly ranked noblemen have also been imprisoned there including Rulers such as Archbishop Adalbert III (1198), Graf Albert von Friesach (1253), the Styrian governor Siegmund (1525) and Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau (1611). Nowadays this mighty bastion functions as an adventure castle for its visitors. Among the numerous attractions offered by this exciting fortress are guided tours through the fortress showing its extensive weapon collection, the historical Salzburg Falconry with the falconry museum as well as a stylish fortress tavern. The historic Falconry Center is a special attraction, offering daily flight demonstrations by various birds of prey.

Burg Hohenwerfen was famously used as the castle 'Schloss Adler' in the film Where Eagles Dare, although the memorable cablecar scenes were filmed using the Feuerkogel-Drahtseilbahn in Ebensee. Hohenwerfen also appears in the background of The Sound of Music during 'Do Re Me'.

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PP - resized, cropped, sharpened, auto-levels

Keitht has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Davidh34 (838) 2007-07-06 1:47

Dave

Following your request on the forum, some comments. Nothing, in my opinion, wrong with this shot, but nothing inspiring either. Like many shots in your portfolio it seems to lack soul, just snaps! BUT, there are, in my opinion, many very good shots in your portfolio too, and your lack of critiques and points can only be down to your lack of participation in the TE community. Givers gain!!
PS I don't speak as an expert photographer, just offering my opinion as requested, as an amateur, trying to improve through TE.

[6] +

Keitht (1116) 2007-07-06 3:51

Good strong colours without being over saturated. The light, whispy cloud breaks up the blue sky without overpowering the rest of the image. Lighting is good with no areas in deep shade, but enough shadow to bring out the relief of the mountain, trees and castle.
The only problem I see with it is that the castle is quite insignificant in the frame.
I'm not sure you could do any better from the viewpoint you chose as the height of the mountain is integral to the image.

hobbywatson (11) 2007-07-06 7:05

Hi Dave, i like this image but not sure i would critique it if you hadn't asked! Am new on here and only just finding my way so thanks for asking the question as it's encouraged me to critique! Anyway, if it had been my image i would probably have cut it to just the castle. The mountain, although integral to the image, is not 'punchy' enough and maybe i'd find it more impressive just seeing the castle up there? Having said that, maybe with a little work on the mountain to make it stand out as much as the trees under the castle it would be improved? Plus i think it would make an excellent B&W.

isabib (1951) 2007-07-06 14:09

Hi Dave,

Great point-of-view here of the castle. The sharpness is great. The dead space on the upper left of the frame is the only thing I could comment on. A lower shot of the castle with an interesting foreground would be perfect.

Well done and TFS!

PS: Spend more time appreciating the lovely works here and make alot of friends to share your works.

chpp (4025) 2007-07-06 14:10

That is a really nice picture. I have been there and it is not very easy to have a good shot at the castle. did you made it to the ice cave?

jmdaoudal (82) 2007-07-09 2:58

there is a great hope in this photo and you are a victim of a lack of quality, the missing textures for the castle, and the pale colors don't help.
In the composition there is an idea of opposition in between the mountain and the castle which is isnteresting but to the eye you will remark the down going lines on the castle and wall are unbalancing the form of this one.
So may be it is not an hamonious shaped subject ( for the castle), If the cstle is shot on its own this unbalancement diseapear.
Jean Michel

Vato_Law (11768) 2007-07-09 15:10

Hello David,
Putting aside the fact that I don't really think the forums are the best place to bring up this question, in my humble, unprofessional opinion what seems not right on your photo is that you have too many elements concurring with each other. What do I mean with this? You have a very nice castle, an interesting mountain and a huge blue sky and finally an interesting line of trees. All these elements are nice by themselves but interfere with each other. As a result you have a nice snapshot but without an element that really grabs us the eyes, the eyes cannot fix on an element and keeps circling around if I make myself clear.
Finally I would say that there is nothing wrong with your shot but it lacks something special, also it seems a bit unbalanced when we look at the right and left side of it. On what concerns light and colours it seems fine IMO.
With this I don't want to discourage you but, right on the opposite, I want you to keep sharing and shooting photos, as we all learn from our mistakes, also sharing critiques and watching each others work we learn more and more.
Regards.
Paulo

P.S.: I will leave you the green smiley not because I want a critique of yours in return but because honestly there is nothing so wrong with it apart from the grabing point.