Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA  


Venice Shop Window by Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA

January 2021 - Venice Shop Window

January 2021 - Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA

Original

About the Image(s)

While walking the streets of Venice in the evening we passed a costume shop selling the famous masks for the caravelle season. I wanted to capture the spirit of the city, but the reflections, shadows and clutter made a clean shot very difficult. This was my best attempt, but even then the colors and highlights made it more challenging. I thought that maybe monochrome would make it a cleaner image.

Shot handheld with a Canon 7D and Tamron 18-270mm lens at 27mm, 1/200 sec, f/11 and ISO 1000. Processed in Photoshop for cropping, then burn and dodge to emphases the masks and diminish the background and finally processed in Silver Efex Pro style 025 to provide the desired tone and sharpness.

How can I improve the monochrome version?


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Very nicely done, Jim. I think I have some old Venice mask images lurking somewhere that I might try a similar technique with. As to improvements, the only thing I might try would be to darken the bit of mask at the top center to better separate it from the top part of the middle mask and then darken the cards a bit more.
I don't know if you print your images, but this would look terrific on metallic finish paper like Red River's Polar Pearl Metallic.   Posted: 01/14/2021 16:31:59
Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
Thanks, Henry. Good suggestions. I do print, but not since COVID as all competitions are now digital. I agree that metallic paper would make it glorious.

  Posted: 01/14/2021 18:58:56
Henry Heerschap   Henry Heerschap
Yeah, I hear you. These days, I just print for my own benefit and to keep the print heads unclogged. I try to do at least one print a week.   Posted: 01/14/2021 19:08:08



Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
I think this is wonderful image with a great composition and great tonal range. My only minor suggestion would be to darken the cards and the two smaller masks sitting on the glass shelf. In my revision I also slightly blurred the cards.   Posted: 01/15/2021 07:32:01
Comment Image
Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
Thanks, Jim. Your version does eliminate a lot of the visual distractions in the image. Good call.

  Posted: 01/15/2021 22:48:40
Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
Jim, I wish that photo was in my collection. Kudos!   Posted: 01/16/2021 06:12:38



Allen Tucker   Allen Tucker
"WOW!", my stepdaughter's reaction when I switched from the color shot to your BW image. I concur.   Posted: 01/18/2021 22:31:18