Frankfurt city skyline

[Caz]

So much for my Frankfurt trip..... had a great time (when I finally got there as I got caught up in the Heathrow fog fracas on the Sunday before Christmas) but the weather was dreadful - damp, cold and grey. Dull, dull, dull!

I've put this up for critique as I'd like help to give it bit more 'zing'... Please excuse any slight shakiness (it was taken handheld at -4 before windchill!) as I'd decided that presents took precedence over tripod..

[coupekid]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

So much for my Frankfurt trip..... had a great time (when I finally got there as I got caught up in the Heathrow fog fracas on the Sunday before Christmas) but the weather was dreadful - damp, cold and grey. Dull, dull, dull!

I've put this up for critique as I'd like help to give it bit more 'zing'... Please excuse any slight shakiness (it was taken handheld at -4 before windchill!) as I'd decided that presents took precedence over tripod..

Hi Caz,

Firstly, I would always advise either a tripod, or if (like in your case) it wasnt an option, to rest on something, either a wall or similar.

If neither is available, your never going to get a decent shot.

The first thing that struck me was the amount of noise, so clearly you have upped the ISO. So why not make that a feature?

This would be my take, converted to mono, brought out a little of the shadows, upped the contrast slightly, and there we go.

Hope you like the idea!

[Tinka]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Super fast very old (1967/70s)Ilford 800 to 1000 or higher/pushed iso reportage film effect very nice edit.

[ash]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Hi, a program called 'neat image' will clean the grain for ya! Theres some slight lens distortion too if your really picky.
Have fun
Ash.

[Caz]

[rogprov]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline



.. with a bit more "zing"

Roger

[coupekid]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Ah, good for you!

I gave up smoking last January, so I am just over 1 year 'clean' (couldnt bear the thought of smoking round my little princess, or smelling of fags!)

Its amazing how the frequency of trips to the hole in the wall, and corner shop have gone down.

[Pol]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

I'm also adding my congratulations to Caz for kicking the habit of the evil weed!

How about getting yourself a 'gorillapod' with the next stash of "I can afford it because I quit smoking" money? It's a handy little gizmo that's easy to carry, fits into a small bag (or carrier bag) and is also strong/sturdy enough for supporting a camera on eg a wall or maybe fixing the 'pod' to a branch, fencepost or whatever.

Pol

[Caz]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

I'm also adding my congratulations to Caz for kicking the habit of the evil weed!

How about getting yourself a 'gorillapod' with the next stash of "I can afford it because I quit smoking" money? It's a handy little gizmo that's easy to carry, fits into a small bag (or carrier bag) and is also strong/sturdy enough for supporting a camera on eg a wall or maybe fixing the 'pod' to a branch, fencepost or whatever.

Pol

Thanks Pol, Roger ( that rings bells!) and Ben. Think the spare money will be a while - the computer and printer have cost double what I've saved!

I do have a couple of little tripods (and occasionally borrow the full size one from the telescope), but just didn't have any spare room, every corner of my luggage was full of presents and food (and chewing gum and anti-smoking medication!)

Roger - can you please tell me how you did that? Just by upping the B channel?

[coupekid]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Thanks Pol, Roger ( that rings bells!) and Ben. Think the spare money will be a while - the computer and printer have cost double what I've saved!

I do have a couple of little tripods (and occasionally borrow the full size one from the telescope), but just didn't have any spare room, every corner of my luggage was full of presents and food (and chewing gum and anti-smoking medication!)

Roger - can you please tell me how you did that? Just by upping the B channel?

Thats a good idea by Pol, and I too love Rogers conversion.....looks like its a little more to your taste than mine as well Caz.

[Pol]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Thats a good idea by Pol, and I too love Rogers conversion.....looks like its a little more to your taste than mine as well Caz.

[rogprov]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Roger - can you please tell me how you did that? Just by upping the B channel?

Combination of levels/dodging/grad mask/saturation all in CS3 plus Neat Image noise reduction. You'll do much better working on the original file

[Raul Diaz]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Concept is good. I've been to Frankfurt several times and it's almost always grey and dull. However, that does not necessarily have to be a negative. Take a look at this photograph that I took in Frankfurt in 2004 for comparison. I took it while crossing the street with a tour to go to the top of one of these buildings. As I was walking I suddenly remembered the maxim of the photographer: look back, look up! That's where the best photograph might be waiting.

[Caz]

Re: Frankfurt city skyline

Thanks for your comments Raul. When I go back (if son's still working there, that is) I'll have another go. The time before when I went it was sunny, but only had a couple of hours walking around so only got a couple of snatched shots.

Here's the one I took just before the first one I posted (a little less noisy, on my work screen anyway)