Clare College, Cambridge

Just fabulous... I love it...

Very different and very nice. There's a great definition and clarity to this image.

Regards
David

Interesting.Really interesting.

would be intrigued to now the tech details on this.

I suspect it's HDR and suspect with more than 3 images involved.

Am I anywhere near the mark ?

Fabulous shot with good sharpness and color.

judderman62, I can't be bothered with HDR with bracketed shots. I tried it briefly when I first got the K5 and the results I got were rubbish. I dare say if I had a sturdier tripod, bought better HDR software and spent time learning the technique I might find it more rewarding.

This is simply a single shot (hand held at 1/15s I see) with a single raw process. I brought up the dark interior levels manually in CS5 (working in 16-bit mode of course), so arguably it is HDR but from single, 14-bit sensor data. I guess if you use Elements you could double process the raw file for highlights and shadows then merge using 8-bit masking.

I suppose in the right hands this would have been a really good candidate for multi-shot HDR. It would have given the highlight and shadow areas better definition.

This was only a quick and dirty edit, to see whether or not it might be worth spending more time on. I'm undecided.

well you got good results sir

It's definitely worth spending more time on. There could be a very good looking b&w in there too.

I think this is a very interesting image. I like the lighting, colours and the crispness and the fact that you haven't gone for the obvious symmetrical composition. It's an image that holds your interest for a long time, from the texture of the paving slabs in the foreground to wondering what is through the gate in the distance and the beautiful details of the arch and doorways inbetween. My only negative comment would be that I'm frustrated that I can't read the whole inscription on the wall. Sally

I do like this but how about losing the bike? its good to have something there (?) but IMO (only) it should fit with the age and history going on elsewhere in the shot ie an old sit up and beg bike perhaps with a basket. Now I know you cant just conjure one up out of thin air but.....................

Moonraker and dannyh, thank you for your suggestions. I appreciate them.

As I recall that inscription was a bit of a problem. Perhaps I'd have got it all in if I'd taken the shot on the other side but I felt that I wanted to be bike side. If I'd gone further back I think the passageway would have been too long and the bike too far back. I was too timid to reposition the bike, especially under the watch of security cameras! I do wonder though whether the inscription is better for being cropped, it adds a touch of intrigue and makes you try and Google it.

I like the bike there but I like photos with bikes and could produce a calendar of them - I've uploaded three in the past week. It hadn't occurred to me that being modern was a problem then I wasn't after a vintage feel. Perhaps it fits for Cambridge - history and modern science?

In truth I don't spend enough time thinking about shots when I take them and if they turn out any good it's down to accident rather than design!

In truth I don't spend enough time thinking about shots when I take them and if they turn out any good it's down to accident rather than design![/quote]I know what you mean I rarely spend that much time considering my shots........til afterwards!
Just in case i hadn't made it clear i DO really like the shot

It wouldn't have half the impact without the bike! You have achieved an amazing result with one exposure where I would have HDR'd it to get an effect. Excellent!

Amazing capture, excellent treatment. I like it a lot.