Opportunity may knock only once... Photo

Photographer’s Note

I see this artefact everyday on my way to work, somehow I'm attracted to it and really take a look at it everytime, don't know why though.

It is the oldest publicly available artefact in Hamburg (no entrance fee) as it is the doorknocker of the main entrance of the St. Petri church. The doorknocker is out of bronze and shows a lions head. The writing around it documents the laying of the foundation stone of the curch tower in the year 1342, although the church is first mentioned in a document in 1195.

I had to use my minitripod from the stairs in front of the entrance as the light conditions are always bad there, sun is blocked from an office building.

Postprocessing in PS6: I desaturated the brown of the door, did a contrast masking, unsharp mask and cropped from the bottom. Finally I added the frame. Yours, Jan

Edwin, avigur_11, timotey, nwoehnl, orme, pamastro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Edwin (2039) 2004-03-20 4:15

I think you shouldn't be that disappointed about the lighting conditions, diffused light often provides more details in a subject. Good light handling Jan, nice one.

avigur_11 (21307) 2004-03-20 4:40

I agree with Edwin. The diffused light gives a very pleasant softness here. The colors are soft and nice. L like the color of the copper detail. Very nice simple shot, Jan.

timotey (1926) 2004-03-20 7:30

Very nice tones (the detail of the little golden ring for example) and the texture of the wood is rendered with relief and contrast. Have you knocked on that door once time ?

nwoehnl (120) 2004-03-20 9:25

A beautiful detail of this ornate door, Jan. I agree with the previous comments made regarding light, I think there's actually a lot of texture visible here. Desaturating the door around the doorknocker (?) was a fine idea to emphasize the main subject here. Good title, and great note - nice work.

orme (6746) 2004-03-21 2:45

Good shot, Jan. Nicely framed with the animal looking away from us and the positioning of the bottom corners. Well done.
I am currently reading 'A Christmas Carol' with one of my students, so I am half expected the ghost of Jacob Marley to materialize in this door knocker.

pamastro (7213) 2004-03-21 14:32

It's a strong looking door knocker. It has a real powerful presence. I like the way everything around it looks flat and the actual head really sticks out. It flows out, too, it's not harsh. Better lighting might make it more dramatic but can't move the sun. And besides it came out nice and smooth with good detail. Nicely photographed and good post-processing.

amrinolastname (220) 2004-03-21 15:04