Gent: St. Niklaas, Belfort, St. Baafs Photo

Photographer’s Note

Gent: St. Niklaas, Belfort, St. Baafs

Three towers in this low light Gent shot. From left to right: the St Niklaas church, completed in the 15th century and a typical example of the “Scheldegotiek, the tower of the Belfort and the St Baafs cathedral. Shot from the ramp of the St. Michielsbrug while a “De Lijn” tram streaked by at the bottom of the frame, coming from the Korenmarkt and turning into the Emile Braun square.

It’s generally preferable to shoot low light shots when there’s still some light in the sky, like during the blue hour, but in this case I preferred a dark sky because the award winning and beautiful way these old buildings are lit. The real splendor of it is only to be discerned when It’s really dark.

PCS2 tech: converted from raw, slightly cropped, altered the contrast, curves and levels for the whole pic and some elements separately, enhanced the colour- and luminosity edges and surfaces, USM-ed , added a frame and saved for the web.

exif data

Camera Manufacturer : Canon
Camera Model : Canon EOS 30D
Exposure time [s] : 16/5
F-Number : 11.0
Exposure program : Aperture priority (3)
ISO speed ratings : 100
Date taken : 2006:11:11 21:16:36
Exposure bias value : -4/3
Metering mode : Evaluative, Multi-segment (5)
Focal length [mm] : 45 mm (35 mm equiv)
Colour space : sRGB
image width : 3504
image length : 2336
Contrast : Normal
Saturation : High
Sharpness : Normal

Floydian, jhm, syd1946, UlfE, john_c, elmec, Angelillo, sergio1, Rinie_Hoff, imrek, Yffic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Floydian (30970) 2006-12-01 4:32

Hallo Bert,
Schitterend nachtelijk schouwspel in een mooie warme kleursetting. Belichting is prima, genoeg detail en diepte.
Het enige puntje is die horizontale kabel. Verschrikkelijk, kan je die niet even wegklonen? Dat moet eenvoudig gaan omdat hij bijna niets raakt.
Desalniettemin een mooie plaat met een warme tint.
Alvast een prettig weekend, Henk

jhm (83276) 2006-12-01 5:04

Hallo Bert,

Dit is natuurlijk de top van de Gentse torens, letterlijk en figuurlijk, alleen de tram draden houden mij steeds tegen om dit te doen, nochtans vind ik deze foto zeer geslaagd, door de warme gouden kleuren en de gepaste verlichting, ook Gent s'avonds ben ik niet zo happig, maar zoals Henk voorsteld de draden te neutraliseren, inderdaad dit gaat wel maar ook daar ben ik geen voorstander van. Puur natuur houden Bert.
Zullen we morgen eens over hebben.

Groeten uit een totaal bewolkt Vlaanderen 6.8°C
John.

Lix (0) 2006-12-01 5:20

Hi Bert
I like this photo very much...
the dark sky is a good idea, well done!

Alessandro

[2]

jaywalker (12302) 2006-12-01 5:29

Hi Bert, A wonderful night shot of this beautiful church & the two towers, perfect exposure & excellent focus you have captured a great deal of detail, the dark sky dose work very well, kind regards Wilson.

qpochet (1378) 2006-12-01 6:15

Hi Bert,

Excellent night shot full of details. This city is really an architectural jewel. It's true that the dark sky underlines the well lit buildings.
Proficiaat!
Quentin.

carper (65598) 2006-12-01 10:28

fraaie nacht foto Bert
goede lage horizon, goede lijnen, uitstekende kwaliteit, de scherpte is fraai en de compositie is zeer goed gekozen, uitstekend werk.
gr. jaap

syd1946 (17965) 2006-12-01 10:44

Very beautiful,Bert.Great idea to choose a black sky than the blue hour.The light is wonderful,helps to see these nice details to the three Churches.And the night colors,so warm with fine tones.It is an excellent composition taken from the best point!
Wish for a nice weekend,
Ta leme file,
Thomas

MiguelP (14336) 2006-12-01 11:40

Hi Bert. I saw this view when I went there last month but in the daylight, so I´m happy to see the same spot from a different like condition. One of the great things about digital is that it´s easier to do photos now. I get very interested in the filter you´ve used: Which is his fonction? Take care Bert.

dkeus31 (26361) 2006-12-01 12:47

Hello Bert,
Well, without the tramcable, I would say this is fine :o)
Good exposure of all these towers.
Regards
Didier

UlfE (9158) 2006-12-01 14:57

Hi Bert,

I love this superb night shot. There are so many details to look at in this photo. I am very impressed that you have managed to shoot so many building at different distances with perfect sharpness. An excellent job! Have nice week-end!

Cheers,

Ulf

Gerrit (36229) 2006-12-01 21:01

Dag Bert,
wat is dat toch een geweldig punt, waarvandaan je vanaf de Leie al die majestueuze torenstegen elkaar aan voelt staan.
Mooi in beeld gebracht in een excellente nachtopname.
Groeten Gerrit

john_c (24635) 2006-12-02 12:30

Hi Bert,
An interesting and effective night shot, with the towers seen in good detail and relief. The exposure level seems just right for appreciation of these historical buildings. There is good balance in the photo. A very fine capture, Bert. Thanks for the technical note.
John

elmec (12194) 2006-12-03 12:57

Hello Bert!
Wow! Lovely scene of the night old town!
Perfect done with the lights and architecture!
Congratulations!
Best regards!

Stepan (27175) 2006-12-03 16:33

It seems to be so huge. The perspective is impressive : the cathedral seems to be "ruling" the city. It was a good idea to compose that at night. Great post.
Stéphane

Angelillo (9065) 2006-12-03 16:38

Wow, Bert!

It's a really amazing light, that enhances very much the beauty of this place and the towers. It's a warm light, very clear that makes possible a good definition. Great management light and very good POV. It's wonderful! Best wishes,

Angel.

John_F_Kennedy (31994) 2006-12-04 2:14

Nice arrangement of light and colours and light. Lovely night shot. Beautiful colours. I like it.
Achim

sergio1 (12150) 2006-12-04 7:28

Hi Bert

Perfect night shot to Ghent. Lovely capture and great details. Well composed and pov. Ghent is a beautiful city that I hope know in May. I am wishing to know it.
Thanks for share
Sergio

Scharan (13955) 2006-12-05 20:30

Linda foto noturna Bert. A iluminação e as cores estão ótimas. Linda e imponente arquitetura, belo trabalho. Pasrabéns!!!
Grande abraço,
Vera.

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-12-06 15:13

Hi Bert,
what a wonderful night time composition and what a wonderful architecture. You have managed the exposition very well here.
Have a nice day,
Tomi

Rinie_Hoff (9334) 2006-12-07 4:26

Wow Bert, really nice and sharp night capture. The church itself is very photogenic and I love all the lines of the windows, and the light behind it.
The blur of the tram in the foreground is nice as well. I don't mind these lines of the electricity supply for the tram, of coure it's less than ideal, but you will alway find these lines in a city, so better live with it.
A truly beautiful city, Gent is, and you wrote a good note. Good wrok overall!

rosaline (0) 2006-12-07 4:44

Hi Bert
Good night shot with lots of detail to observe. As you say you prefer a darker sky for this shot and it certainly does bring out the boldness of the towers. Good warm tones and colours too.
Cheers
Aubrey

imrek (4) 2006-12-07 11:32

HI Bert,
This is very well exposed at 3 secs, and shows a lot of detail in this huge beautyful church. The postcard-style framing works nicely and lights are beautifully and crisply rendered...well done!!!
regards,
imre

jrj (34779) 2006-12-08 3:48

Very well done night shot Bert with top control of the light. The artifical light blanace well with the black night sky. Nice one.
-----------------------------------
(btw. informed Isabel that I had to cancel participation in Feb 07)
-----------------------------------

vascao (192) 2006-12-22 15:23

A nice example of how the low-light environment can give these dreamy images, when shot by a master. The f/11 made the buildings crystal-clear.
[]'s
Sergio

Didi (36420) 2006-12-24 14:37

Bonsoir Bert
Une belle concentration d'architectures à l'heure nocturne.
Nous sommes moins gâtés en illuminations à Orléans.
Je souaite un joyeux Noël et pourquoi pas un nouvel appareil photo au pied du sapin.

Yffic (6106) 2007-05-09 7:44

Hi Bert.

A nice nightshot.
I like you have perform with the exposure time to have nice lighting atmosphere.

Regards.

Yves