Ed Ford, APSA
About the Image(s)
I saw this gargoyle in Monaco some years back and was fascinated by the detail. Sadly it had a bald blue sky which initially left me unimpressed. Since then I have acquired On1 which allowed me to change the sky and so I did as you will see from the original.
Looking at this I see a story of threatening which fits with with my interest is Fantasy and Science Fiction writing. I judged that with a new sky and conversation to monochrome I had a much more interesting image.
8 comments posted
Robert Cordivari
Hi Ed,
I think it's a very good conversion to B&W and the sky definitely conveys the mood of foreboding you were after. The only comment I have is to possibly remove the horizontal line between the head and the wing. Regardless, you achieved what you were after.   Posted: 01/09/2025 20:34:03
I think it's a very good conversion to B&W and the sky definitely conveys the mood of foreboding you were after. The only comment I have is to possibly remove the horizontal line between the head and the wing. Regardless, you achieved what you were after.   Posted: 01/09/2025 20:34:03
Ed Ford
Interesting - I really didn't see that line as I was focused on the gargoyle. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.   Posted: 01/19/2025 23:18:16
Kirsti Näntö-Salonen
Hi Ed, I think that he would fit right in Game of Thrones. Your camera angle has him looming over the viewer, filling the frame with power and menace. The new sky completes the drama. I love the bright areas of the clouds that frame him.   Posted: 01/10/2025 15:09:42
Ed Ford
Thank you Kirsti. I had not thought of the Game of Thrones connection (did not really watch the series) but from what little I have seen of the series it would fit. You certainly caught the ominous feel I was trying to create - again I love images one can use to build a story and it does not have to be my story - just something to see and thoughtfully enjoy.   Posted: 01/19/2025 23:23:09
Barbara Gore
Hi Ed. I think changing the sky was a great idea. The stormy backdrop really enhances the drama of the subject and the camera's position provides a strong perspective. One suggestion I have is to create a bit more space between the concrete corner and the left edge of the frame as it feels a little tight to me. I do have a question about the backlighting in the processed image. I notice some backlit areas in the original, but I'm wondering if that same bright lighting would be present with the stormy sky.   Posted: 01/13/2025 18:09:57
Ed Ford
Hi Barbara, thanks for your input. I think you are right about the left side of the image. The crop was, as I look at it again, too tight. The right side is okay, though it could be a little less tight also. I will go back and revisit the image.   Posted: 01/19/2025 23:26:59
Jeff Manser
Hi Ed - I love what you did with this image via the b/w conversion and added sky to make it more threatening and impactful. I feel the composition works really well - there is no doubt who the star of the show is as the gargoyle dominates the frame. To my eye, the border you've added also enhances the image. When I look at the shot, I feel that the subject disappears a bit into the background. You may want to consider increasing the separation. I tried a version that increased exposure and clarity on the subject, while decreasing clarity and texture in the clouds, while slightly increasing exposure in the sky. You also may want to consider eliminating the small diagonal line in the sky that runs from the wing on the right to the gargoyle's head. Regardless of those suggestions, your vision for this shot, really did up the ante on the impact of the scene!   Posted: 01/19/2025 19:09:50
Ed Ford
Hi Jeff. Thanks for your efforts with the image. The sky in your version is less dramatic but to my eye works well. However in lightening the gargoyle - to me it is too light - too stark and for me it looses some of what I was trying to do with the image. I initially did not even see the line you mentioned but I do agree the image is better without it. Thank you again for the work you did.   Posted: 01/19/2025 23:51:26