Toji temple Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

I know I've had a long absense from TE, but I guess I have my reasons.
My main reason would be quite obvious... I'm really sick and tired of the "you-give-me-a-point-then-I-will-give-you-a-point" mentality...
Ok so I tend to give someone a little more attention when they give me a decent critique, but I guess that is only natural when someone comments you and actually has something intelligent or an decent opinion to add.
Enough of my rant...
I am willing to put more time into TE for old times sake... hoping that there still are some honest and/or decent trekkers out there.

Ok...
This is a photo I shot in Kyoto last May while I was visiting Japan. This is the five story wooden Pagoda at the Tō-ji temple . (The link is to wikipedia)
This is a HDR merge of a total of three photos I shot handheld while kneeling on the temple grounds.
My main reason for this was the constant light overcast weather we experienced... just a thin overcast layer of clouds that just seems to blow out the light by factors of a hundred!
That is all I have to say at the moment.

Please enjoy, and if you have any thoughts you would like to share: please be honest.

OJJ

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Critiques | Translate

Rooster_kool (843) 2008-09-29 11:03

It looks classic color for my own perspective. I felt a bit scary to enter that temple, if i was there.

krzbia (329) 2008-09-29 12:04

Wow, I need to try HDR technique also. When I was there the weather conditions were almost exactly the same as You had, so shooting normal picture it was impossible to avoid fully blown sky or completely black pagoda. Although, HDR gives also very 'artificial' effect, little more like a painting than a photograph. BUT in this case overall effect is really pleasant to look at. [I was honest!]

vascao (190) 2008-09-29 19:23

Hi, Odd.
My experience with HDR was somewhat disappointing, but this is great. The PP emphasized the greatness of the temple and the perspective inherent to the image. I like a lot.
[]'s
Sergio

BennyV (4580) 2008-09-30 5:02

Hello Odd,

The effect of the HDR is a strange kind of 'naturalness'. Only in the dark blue patches in the sky (left and right top) does this tilt over, i.e. the HDR becomes a bit 'too composed' for me. The white (grey) coming from behind creates a magical effect, which somehow remains natural. A tricky balance exercise, but I do like the overall result very much.

Don't get too wound up about the greeny-trading, here...it's not worth it.

Benny

jrj (34779) 2008-10-04 5:21

Hi Odd Jarle.
you did well in this capture of the temple. Right pov and a tight crop that seems perfect for the result. also a good ligh control. Even a fine inclusion of some people there very good for scaling. Good work...

AKITA (5165) 2008-10-07 18:11

dear Odd Jarie,
this HDR image is well made. the dignity of this tower is nicely expressed in it. of course the combination of the tower and the sky looks a little strange, but the result is very effective for my eyes.
and I understnad your note "I'm really sick and tired of the "you-give-me-a-point-then-I-will-give-you-a-point" mentality..", about me for my broken English, that maybe more severe...then I think you must stand "free" for points and comments. I don't mind comments and points, these are not our goal. we must enjoy the photography itself.
thank you,
Akihisa

[2]

PTAH (287) 2009-09-21 16:25

Nice shot! Reminds me of the best place in Kyoto to buy matcha, this square becoming a market monthly at 21st.
Having time I'd tweak the clouds to remove a little green. I would also use a darker all around frame to direct more attention to the subject.
Overall, good composition and angle, also the signature fits well.