I took this image two weeks ago when my wife and I were on or first river cruise. It was taken in Avignon, France at the Palace of the Popes. I noticed the stairway leading down, so I waited for someone to come down the stairs. When the woman reached the point that I wanted for my composition, I took the shot. After I took the shot, I saw that the woman was our tour director.
I did basic edits in camera RAW, applied Aurora HDR at the default settings, increases saturation a bit in Photoshop, sharpened in Topaz Sharpen AI, and applied a slight vignette using Photoshop’s lens correction.
Camera: Nikon Z8 with Nikon 24-120 mm lens at 70 mm, ISO 160, f/8 @ 1/60 sec (aperture priority).
Incidentally, we spent 2 weeks visiting 9 cities and the 24-120 lens was the only lens I used.
6 comments posted
Michael Braunstein
Excellent photo. Was she on a cell phone? I carry a 100-500 a lot. It can focus up close. Posted: 08/08/2026 16:45:09
Charles Bartolotta
Thanks, Michael. Yes, I do believe she was using her cell phone as so many people do. I would have preferred that she was turned looking toward the camera, but we take what we can get. Posted: 08/08/2026 20:24:44
Sharlana Dillard
Charles such simplicity in this image to include the contrast of the stone wall and stairs. Posted: 08/11/2026 12:07:17
Charles Bartolotta
Thanks, Sharlana. Posted: 08/11/2026 15:12:04
Tom Buckard
Charles, this is a gorgeous image. Love the simplicity and detail. The diagonal stairs with your tour director against an amazing earth tone wall really makes it. I think this would do well in any competition. Great capture Charles. Posted: 08/11/2026 13:31:26
