Mesquita in Cordoba, a photo from Cordoba, Andalucia

Photographer's Note

The light in that place is gorgeous but it is huge and the contrast ratios are extreme between pools of light and row after row of arches. This was taken handheld, very slow shutter speed, braced against a column. This was beyond some extremes (notice the left foot is entirely washed out) for lighting and DOF. Reduced image size, toned down highlights on the top half of the columns on the right, applied unsharp mask. Tried to crop out the columns, but ended up with a pleasant but uninteresting composition--also, the human figure is walking in the wrong direction, and the mood is completely lost.
(I incorrectly identified the camera as a Canon on the initial posting. It was in fact taken with my older 340R, and the shutter speed is a guess)

BlkDaffyDuck has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avigur_11 (22553) 2003-12-21 4:08

a very interesting and moody shot, Claude. The back light creats a m mysterious atmosphere. The dark alley helps this mood too. You managed very well the light and contrast.

Welcome to TE, and keep on.

nwoehnl (122) 2003-12-21 4:30

Welcome to TE, Claude. I like this very much as it is, and given the shooting circumstances you're describing it's coming out pretty great. Composition with the man walking through the frame is right on.

I'm posting a workshop to show you an alternate version that brings a few more details out of the dark. It loses some of the "dark and mysterious" mood of your version, but I hope you still like it.

[workshop] [compare]

martin (1242) 2003-12-21 4:59

A good first posting, which does capture the mood of the place. The impact of the picture does depend on the presence and movement of the person. Welcome to TrekEarth, Claude.

Mireille (2604) 2003-12-21 5:09

Très belle première contribution à TE Claude ! Ce lieux inspire la paix et la reflexion et vous avez su réaliser un cliché difficile avec succès ! Bravo !

mcreider (673) 2003-12-24 15:57

Perfect composition, good details in shades. You've cleverly put the tuorist (?) in the center and viewers identify with him

scalerman (26900) 2004-02-03 14:40

It's difficult to capture tone gradations in low light, but you did a nice job of it here! congrats.

BlkDaffyDuck (385) 2008-04-22 0:54

Hello Claude,

Very beautiful shot with good light management and composition.
The man in the extrem light appears like surnatural effect, I like so much this idea.
Congratulation,

Regards,
Damien.