Margaret Sprott, APSA
May 2020 - CARCASSONE WALLED CITY
About the Image(s)
I took this image in June, 2019 while on our trip to France. I used my trusty Nikon 5300 with a Tamron 18-400mm lens so I did not have to pack a tripod. Of course that meant I had to hand hold and shoot at 1/125. I used Lightroom to fix the white balance, decrease the highlights and increase Texture, Clarity, Dehaze, and Vibrance and cropped it a little. This was a fascinating place and we could walk all over the ramparts, taking photos of the surrounding area. This one was taken shortly after we arrived. I loved the walls and there were many photo ops but I picked this one because I liked the curved walk and the texture of the stones.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
20 comments posted
I like the composition and love these ancient "constructions". They provide so many photo ops. This is well done, the curved walk and textures are a real plus. I'd like to play with it a bit in Topaz and see if I can pump it up a bit but I'm waiting for my grandson to install a new graphics card in my desktop so it doesn't kick me out every time I go into photoshop. If I can get that set up I'll be back later in the month with an update. Overall well done. Posted: 05/02/2020 20:29:30
Thank you! I'd love to see what you get. Hopefully your grandson can come through for you. Does he live in FL too? Posted: 05/02/2020 21:35:09
no Mass. but logs in and does everything. Just a question of catching and tomorrow I'm on the hunt Posted: 05/02/2020 23:25:35
Got my computer up and running. First went into Topaz Studio 2 and chose a look that I thought was a bit more striking. Then I wanted to enhance the sky a bit so used Luminar 4. Tell me what you think of this result. Posted: 05/03/2020 18:25:27
Posted: 05/03/2020 18:28:22
I guess I like the wall better but I think the sky is a little too blue. I'm glad you got your computer back up and thanks for trying these things. Someday I may learn to use Topaz which I think I have. Posted: 05/03/2020 22:11:47
I think the sky is too blue too. Takes my eye away from the wall. Posted: 05/06/2020 19:10:33
I looked again and your version of the wall is definitely better than some views of mine. It seems to depend on what light I'm looking at it with. Posted: 05/03/2020 22:14:40
Since the layer is duplicated before applying the sky, the opacity can be adjusted to your liking. Posted: 05/03/2020 22:13:24
Oh, OK - I'll have to try that. Thanks. Posted: 05/03/2020 22:16:24
I really like the variety of tones, and the creaky walls pushing out and leaning in. I visited Carcassone years ago and I don't remember it being that picturesque. Thank you, the picture evokes great memories!
Did you consider burning out or cropping out the folks at the far end of the path? Posted: 05/08/2020 16:44:07
Did you consider burning out or cropping out the folks at the far end of the path? Posted: 05/08/2020 16:44:07
I never noticed them until I had posted it in this study group so no, I did not consider it. At this point I probably won't try it because it would be too difficult and because it actually gives a sort of scale to how big that wall is.
Thanks for your kind comments. Posted: 05/08/2020 16:55:42
Thanks for your kind comments. Posted: 05/08/2020 16:55:42
Margaret, I am not sure what I can add to the comments, but I think the direction that Beverly suggested is a good one. I think her example is a bit heavy-handed; however, a bit more drama in the skyline would help enhance your image. Posted: 05/10/2020 20:40:46
Thanks! I may work on the sky a little. The more I think about the color of the wall in Bev's example, the more I think "but that's not the color I remember" so I'm not sure I want to make it that yellow. Maybe we have to go back to France so I can refresh my memory about the color. Of course, I don't think we'll be going anywhere for quite a while. Posted: 05/11/2020 08:31:41
You captured the texture of the wall really well. The sky is a nice muted blue, which doesn't take too much focus away from the building. I would agree with with Stanley's suggestion about removing/cropping out the people in the far left. However, that might be difficult or end up cropping the photo too close on the back side of the castle. Posted: 05/19/2020 09:02:08
Thanks for your comments. In a webinar I recently learned more about using content aware so maybe I will try removing the people. Posted: 05/19/2020 09:26:43
(Groups 22 & 80)
I agree about the people but I'd leave in the single person with the blue shirt. To me, he adds a little perspective as to the size of this wall. The stone textures are great.
I sort of think Beverly's version is a little too saturated - especially the sky though it is nice. Good job. Posted: 05/20/2020 13:53:00
I sort of think Beverly's version is a little too saturated - especially the sky though it is nice. Good job. Posted: 05/20/2020 13:53:00
Thanks for your comments. Maybe I'll try taking all but that one person out. Posted: 05/20/2020 16:37:10
(Groups 22 & 80)
Perhaps Content Aware could take them out. Posted: 05/20/2020 16:57:13
I just had a 2 hour Tim Grey session that included using content award and I'm ready to try it again. Thanks. Posted: 05/20/2020 17:03:13