The benefit of a car park, a photo from Nordrhein-Westfalen, West

Photographer's Note

‘Cologne/Köln - The benefit of a car park from a photographic point’

Many pictures of Cologne with views of the left (west) bank of the Rhine including the cathedral have been posted already on TE. Here I was walking again on the right (east) bank of the river and looking for an original POV.
I came at a car park and first I was convinced that by no means this place could provide an attractive picture.

But meanwhile TE learned me that sometimes car roofs can be shiny surfaces that can provide interesting reflections.
Well, this is the result!

On the main picture I cropped away the other cars.
You can see a completer view in the WS. I doubted for a long time which photograph of both is the best. On the one in the WS I don’t like the other cars but I do like the lamp and its reflection.
Judge for yourself.

The Kölner Dom is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral and the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne.
It is Cologne's' best known monument.
Between the cathedral and the Rhine you see a striking blue construction which is the roof of a musical building.

More information of the Kölner Dom can be found on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral :

jjcordier, jlbrthnn, Romano46, jhm, timecapturer, maria-v1981, ChrisJ, thebest, pierrefonds, elenimavrandoni, Royaldevon, krzychu30, Cricri, raszid62, danos, Graal, delpeoples, delpeoples, adramad, Hansaphotos, Sonata11, jusninasirun, Kielia, adores, COSTANTINO, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jjcordier (62280) 2013-02-24 23:51

Paul
Un cadrage bien réalisé avec ce reflet penché qui lui donne toute son originalité. Une belle façon de présenter cette superbe cathédrale de Cologne....elle aussi couverte d'échafaudages!
Amicalement
JJ

emka (57984) 2013-02-24 23:53

Hi Paul, Attractive composition and it is difficult to guess the reflection is on the car! It seems as the water. Very nice shot with beautiful colours.
I do not like this new addition - the blue structure near the Cathedral. I preferred the view without it.

Warm regrads

MAlgo

jlbrthnn (79773) 2013-02-25 1:04

Bonjour Paul,
Il fallait le trouver ce point de vue, et ses aspects très attractifs. Très bien vu, et excellentes mise en image et qualité. Bravo.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
Joël

Romano46 (4676) 2013-02-25 2:14

Ciao Paul
mi piace la tua continua ricerca di punti di ripresa inconsueti.
Questo è particolarmente originale e ti ha permesso grazie al ber riflesso di fare una bella composizione che si arricchisce dei colori di un'ora prossima al passaggio tra la notte e il giorno, sfruttando anche i colori caldi dell'illumionazione artificiale.
Buona la definizione per e molto ben calibrati contrasti e saturazione.
Ciao e buona giornata
Romano

ikeharel (37168) 2013-02-25 3:07

Hi Paul,
Took me a minute to see what you meant in your note - and admit an original idea, well collected.(sure, you need a clean car-roof for that...).
The scenery even when distinguish from the reflection is yet an attractive and intriguing.
Cheers for the nice compo.,
Ike

williewhistler (7229) 2013-02-25 3:47

Hello Paul,I like your imaginative composition,it certainly is a different view point that works very well.
The colours are very attractive.
Best Regards Les.

jhm (122298) 2013-02-25 3:58

Dag Paul,

De beroemde "Kölner Dom" in een kleine weerspiegeling in de plas water.
Zeer mooi gecomponeerd tussen de twee bomen.
Het licht op de boom rechts geeft een zeer zacht gevoel tegen de sterkere kleuren in de achtergrond.
Goed foto werk Paul, bedankt.

Prettige week verder,
John

timecapturer (30138) 2013-02-25 5:23

Hi Paul
clever shot this. I love the huge tree in this as it dominates the scene but does not overpower the beauty of the distant cathedral. An image of contrasts that you have executed and presented superbly. Bravo!

Have a good week - Brian.

maria-v1981 (10403) 2013-02-25 5:59

Hello Paul,
What a stuning and beautiful shot of this night shot of Cologne, it looks really beautiful, I also like your composition and POV, well done, thanks for sharing it with us.
Have a nice day,
Regards,
Maria

Sergiom (39056) 2013-02-25 6:19

Bonjour Paul,

J'aime beaucoup ce cadrage vertical très original qui nous offre une belle perspective sur ces superbes clochers à l'horizon. Les reflets sont particulièrement beaux.

Amicalement

Serge

mjw364 (3606) 2013-02-25 6:56

Hi Paul

Nice reflection shot with good light and exposure. The blue contrasts well with the brown, What I like though is that the reflection on the car roof is angled so it gives the impression that the car is moving when you first look at this.

TFS

Mike

chrisvek (5419) 2013-02-25 9:28

Hello Paul

Very good colors and saturation.Also very nice ligthning usage and reflections on the car.Very good job.

Have a nice week
Chris

dta (51264) 2013-02-25 9:57

Hello Paul ,
Très bonne idée , ce reflet de la cathédrale de Cologne sur le toit de la voiture , avec le cadrage entre les arbres , et ce gros tronc rouge au premier plan . C'est en outre une très bonne capture à l'heure bleue .
Amicalement

Fis2 (72990) 2013-02-25 10:24

Witaj Paul!
Excellent composition, interesting reflection.
Good frame and colors.
Very impressive picture.
Good evening
Krzysztof

claudeD (24125) 2013-02-25 10:40

Hello Paul,

Wonderful picture from Cologne with a very fine composition and amazing reflections in the water. i. Like your blue hour shot here very much.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

ChrisJ (86744) 2013-02-25 13:10

Bonjour Paul,

Good framing of the twin church spires at top left through the trees. Nice symmetrical fg reflections an a wonderful warm cold colour contrast between the reddish yellow trunks of the trees and the blue sky & reflection in the water. The tilt of the reflected spires adds interest. Tfs!

npecanhuk (53825) 2013-02-25 17:35

Hi Paul!
Wonderful picture specially for the chosen pov, composition with those special reflections, colors and exposure!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

jcpix (3179) 2013-02-25 18:41

Hi Paul,

Fantastic point of view indeed, and very clever use of the car to be creative with this composition. It has added an entirely unique element as it captures the reflection from afar and near. Very smart recognition of your surroundings! I really like the artificial red light projected on the tree trunk, it gives so much contrast to the blue tones. Photo well taken and arranged, thanks for sharing this different look at the cathedral.

Cheers,

Jason

thebest (3370) 2013-02-25 18:43

Hi Paul,

WOW SENSATIONAL !!!
The colours content & reflections are really very nice.
The Gothic style Cathedral is nicely placed & I think you chose a clever advantage point.

Kindest regards,
Dawn.

pierrefonds (48275) 2013-02-25 19:30

Bonsoir Paul,

Les reflets sur la voiture sont des atouts à la composition. La distance entre les arbres et la cathédrale donne de la profondeur à l'image. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs des arbres et de la cathédrale. La lumière du début de soirée valorise les couleurs de l'image. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

sabermonajati (7563) 2013-02-25 21:07

hi
nice landscape with amazing reflect you captured.and light management skilful.
regard
saber

elenimavrandoni (5789) 2013-02-25 22:32

very impressive color, light and reflection in a great composition with blue hour touches!
good morning,
Eleni

abmdsudi (26183) 2013-02-25 23:38

Hi Paul
Smart way of framing by including only one quarter of the reflection to avoid competition while we get to focus on the obvious centre of attraction in the backdrop The feast of colours and tree branches are fine as strong lead, the kind of feel comes through in this image from part of urbanscape. I particularly love the tones clarity and contrast along with immense detail all add up to a fabulous image. The glossy reflection is indded an added value and credit to your trained eye. This is truly an enchanted shot, My congrats.
Best regards

Royaldevon (17701) 2013-02-26 1:53

Hello Paul,

You are right. We often pick up little tips from our photographer friends on TE, which help us to produce better shots.
You used your information well. The use of the car roof has given your shot a whole new dimension. The f/g is an unexpected and wonderfully sharp representation of the reality. I love, also, how you have framed the cathedral with the tree trunks. A great sense of depth and a fine composition.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

Oceania (2117) 2013-02-26 5:52

Hi Paul,

You smartly used trees (one is giant) as frame. The Cologne's famous church is supporting role on this picture. Also, the color is gorgeous.

krzychu30 (8767) 2013-02-26 7:19

Hello Paul,
really good idea to show us this well known scene in a different and original way.You´re right it´s hard to find something original while shooting Cathedral,but you prooved it´s possible.I like these reflections,which provides us the roof of the car.Your original POV together with captivating color scheme make your photo really great.

Kind regards
Krzysztof

Kamilutka (3207) 2013-02-26 8:23

Hello Paul,
interesting POV to show the cathedral and some cityscape of Cologne. The chunky tree in the foreground is very well counterbalanced by some lighter details. Very nice colors and light. I like especially the squinted reflection on the water - it adds a little bit cheeky feature to the image :-)
Thanks for sharing
Kamila

Cricri (86261) 2013-02-26 10:56

Bonjour Paul
Tout bon la vue de la cathédrale entre les arbres, l'utilisation des reflets en cadrage, très belle en effet celle en WS, juste dommage pour les voitures, très belle réalisation
Belle soirée
cricri

mesutilgim (67830) 2013-02-26 11:46

Hello Paul,
Another very nice capture from Cologne with a mastery pov.
I know many "photographers" who would do their best to avoid those trees in the foreground !!
And this is the difference between looking and seeing !
The reflections at bottom part is just amazing.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

fabbs99 (5280) 2013-02-26 23:06

Hello Paul,
Simply amazing shot.
Beautiful colors and great sharpness.
The lighting is also amazing as well as perfect POV too.TFS.
Cheers ~ Farhat

raszid62 (18156) 2013-02-27 1:30

Hello
Spring melting of snow, and we see water here covering parking carinstead of asphalt . But are reflected in puddle of water trees and magnificently towers of churches. Wonderful cathedral of Kolonia in background and city lit to time of evening just beauty. Wonderful coloring and sensational quality of image.
Yours
Joseph

ecmel (1033) 2013-02-27 5:36

Hello Paul,
This blue hour photo is exquisite- a perfectly tones of cobalt blue. The vertical frame is well-chosen, especially with reflections. Perfect exposition and light judgement.
Greetings from İzmir,
Ecmel

danos (73876) 2013-02-27 10:59

HelloPaul,
nice the view of the reflected opposite lights of the city as the View of the Cathedral.I like the advantage point of you as the rexcellent light and colour management of the image.

Regards,Danos

Graal (88746) 2013-02-27 23:17

Hi Paul,
nice composition with the reflections on FG. Amazing view of famous cathedral in Köln. Good vertical format and saturated colours. Photo I like.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

delpeoples (44884) 2013-02-28 3:24

Salut cher Paul

Wow, this is a superb photo. The vertical frame complements the trees, the reflections are strong and beautifully rendered and the background is exposed perfectly. An extraordinary Blue Hour, congratulations.

Bonne amitiés
Lisa

adramad (27518) 2013-02-28 12:42

Hi Paul.
Wow ......... Superb composition and image ingeniously fabulous and creative, to use the roof of the car and get these great reflexes, the whole vertical composition is a beautiful harmony, wonderful colors at this time blue ...., stunning the reddish hue of the large trunk in the foreground.
Beautiful palette.
Very good management of the brightness and sharpness.
Have a good night.
Best wishes.
Luis.

SnapRJW (18624) 2013-02-28 23:35

Hello Paul - What a clever idea, well spotted and beautifully executed. This shot encourages me to look for the less obvious. Warm regards rosemary

Hansaphotos (5411) 2013-03-02 5:16

Hello Paul

What a great idea! Excellent use of the car to create such stunning reflections. Beautifully presented in this vertical format. Lovely work:) TFS. Enjoy your weekend.

Best regards, Erling

robmal (1548) 2013-03-02 9:36

Hello Paul,
fantastic vertical shot with beautiful lights and colors, great idea with the reflection, congratulations.
Regards Robert.

Sonata11 (28187) 2013-03-02 19:44

Hello Paul,
spectacular view of this place. Fantastic reflection. Colors, sharpness, clarity, POV are an excellent. Perfectly well done. Tfs.
Warm regards and have a nice Sunday,
barbara

jusninasirun (17128) 2013-03-02 19:59

Hello Paul.
This is a fine tall frame capture with beautiful saturation and pristine reflection.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Jusni

Schnappilic (7895) 2013-03-04 4:54

Hello Paul,

Huge result on twilight with great framing. Your idea was brilliant. Congratulations!

Best regards,

Ovidiu

SWEETFREEDOM (18381) 2013-03-04 6:03

Hi Paul,
i like this crop very nice reflections and excellent exposure. great shot.
regards
Alessandro

mkamionka (24435) 2013-03-05 6:46

Hi Paul,
very original framing for this famous cathedral. I like how tiny it became in comparison with the tree. Excellent timing with amazing effects in the sky. Fortunately the trees were naked what allowed this beautiful composition. The reflection is interesting indeed. I have tried that recently as well but somehow I am more postcard type of person so this idea is too original for me. Still the effect is great,
M

Kielia (20411) 2013-03-09 5:07

Hi Paul,
it was here on TE where I learnt to love reflections. These ones are extremely beautiful and very cleverly seen. Very good management of the light and wonderful colors. This image is a feast for the eyes. My compliments also for the notes!
Warm regards
Harriet

eldancer1 (16916) 2013-03-09 9:16

I like your use of nature to frame this beautiful scene and awesome architecture. Good pov and wonderful colors. Great lighting. Well done, tfs.

adores (28154) 2013-03-10 17:10

Hi Paul!
From the thumbnail it was not so easy to understand the reflection. Really well seen! The composition is very good and you have chosen the best format. The exposure is also very good!

COSTANTINO (42742) 2013-03-21 11:03

Hello
original version,original great capture
first shot quality with this kind of
reflection,you did your best
great inspiration shot
regards
Costantino

Waylim (22349) 2013-04-01 10:25

Hi Paul,

Excellent idea to use the parked car to get the refelction of the landscape, giving the illusion of a river or lake. You can almost fooled me, as it is April Fools day is today :) Beautiful blue hr photo with excellent POV looking through the tree branches. Lovely colors and the reflection is a bonus that make this photo even better.

Way

Angshu (51142) 2013-04-02 2:47

Hello Paul
I prefer the wider WS post, with the lamp & its reflection. In fact because of the brightness of the light, the other car is actutally 'reduced' in significance & does not tend to 'intrude'. This though is a nice verion with the reflection on the car roof working well. The artificial light & the blue sky helps create a fine picture
Best Regards
Angshu