Douglas Gerdts
April 2026 - Atlas and St. Patrick
About the Image(s)
My submission for April is a photo I took in Rockefeller Center in NYC a year ago. I was intrigued by the strength and brawn of Atlas against the grace and intricacy of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Would be interested in any suggestions to make Atlas a bit more defined against the complicated background of the church.
1/25 sec, f/1.8, ISO 640, 4.25mm (taken with an iPhone)
8 comments posted
Hi Douglas, this is a powerful shot! I love how you've highlighted the central position of the spheres; the symmetry of having them framed perfectly between the two cathedral spires is striking. The black and white monochrome is a perfect choice-it really makes the architecture stand out.
To help Atlas feel a bit more defined against the cathedral, you might try brightening the statue and the spheres just a touch. If the tones on Atlas were slightly lighter than the stone of the church behind him, it would create that extra "pop" and separation you're looking for.
Beautifully captured, especially for an iPhone! Posted: 04/01/2026 17:55:51
To help Atlas feel a bit more defined against the cathedral, you might try brightening the statue and the spheres just a touch. If the tones on Atlas were slightly lighter than the stone of the church behind him, it would create that extra "pop" and separation you're looking for.
Beautifully captured, especially for an iPhone! Posted: 04/01/2026 17:55:51
Thank you Linda!
See you in 58! Posted: 04/10/2026 19:51:10
See you in 58! Posted: 04/10/2026 19:51:10
Douglas,
Great snap - I love that is shows a Greek god in front of gothic architecture with modern hi-rise buildings on either side.
I tried to separate Atlas in LR by pushing up the whites, lowering the blacks. I took a masking brush over Atlas and added more texture, clarity and dehaze. I modified the sky to give it more texture (and color) to give the cathedral more detail.
I also played with the sliders under manual noise reduction.
What do you think? Posted: 04/01/2026 23:19:22
Great snap - I love that is shows a Greek god in front of gothic architecture with modern hi-rise buildings on either side.
I tried to separate Atlas in LR by pushing up the whites, lowering the blacks. I took a masking brush over Atlas and added more texture, clarity and dehaze. I modified the sky to give it more texture (and color) to give the cathedral more detail.
I also played with the sliders under manual noise reduction.
What do you think? Posted: 04/01/2026 23:19:22
I really like St Pat's being brightened -- totally stands out! Posted: 04/10/2026 19:52:06
Very well observed and very well composed, Douglas.
Each of the two subjects is worthy of a photograph in its own right. Atlas carries the heavens on his shoulders, and one almost gets the impression that he's supporting the church as well. Together, they symbolize strength for me, and the low-angle perspective makes them even more imposing. The new skyscrapers on the left and right provide a striking contrast to the old ones, the historical ones.
Making Atlas stand out even more from the background isn't easy. I tried using the "Adjust Lighting" tool, reducing the overall brightness slightly and increasing the contrast a bit.
This makes the buildings on the left and right darker, framing the main subject.
Then, you can use the Dodge tool to brighten the church. (My result isn't presentable yet.)
Perhaps your iPhone also has the option to take an overexposed and an underexposed photo. These two photos would then need to be combined to create an optimized image. However, I'm not an iPhone expert. Posted: 04/10/2026 10:51:36
Each of the two subjects is worthy of a photograph in its own right. Atlas carries the heavens on his shoulders, and one almost gets the impression that he's supporting the church as well. Together, they symbolize strength for me, and the low-angle perspective makes them even more imposing. The new skyscrapers on the left and right provide a striking contrast to the old ones, the historical ones.
Making Atlas stand out even more from the background isn't easy. I tried using the "Adjust Lighting" tool, reducing the overall brightness slightly and increasing the contrast a bit.
This makes the buildings on the left and right darker, framing the main subject.
Then, you can use the Dodge tool to brighten the church. (My result isn't presentable yet.)
Perhaps your iPhone also has the option to take an overexposed and an underexposed photo. These two photos would then need to be combined to create an optimized image. However, I'm not an iPhone expert. Posted: 04/10/2026 10:51:36
Thank you Sabine! I'm not great with the Dodge tool -- it's on my learning curve! Posted: 04/10/2026 19:52:50
Hi Douglas, This is a striking photo showing the contrast between Atlas's strength and the grace and intricacy of St. Patrick's Cathedral. The leaning two side buildings forced my view to Atlas and St. Patrick's. Your description sounds like Atlas is the main subject, so I'd suggest lightening or experimenting with decreasing opaqueness of St. Patrick's to enhance the composition.
The photo also made me think about the symbolism of Atlas's brawn holding up the heavens in front of the cathedral. Posted: 04/11/2026 14:41:23
The photo also made me think about the symbolism of Atlas's brawn holding up the heavens in front of the cathedral. Posted: 04/11/2026 14:41:23
Douglas, this is very well composed B&W image. Amazing leading lines on the left, right and center leading upwards with a cloud in the sky. Everything is very sharp across the photo. The dual towers of the church are amazing and nearly perfectly balanced in front of the Atlas. Yvonne's reference to the symbolism of Atlas aligned with the strength of the church is spot on. Great job! Posted: 04/15/2026 21:02:45