Drema Swader
July 2025 - Baha'i Temple
About the Image(s)
One of the advantages of drone photography is that you can fly high to catch interesting angles. But just because you can, doesn't mean you always need to. Some times I want to fly just a little overhead to get the right angle for the shot.
This is another image I took last year of the Baha'i Temple just north of Chicago. I have posted several images of it here and I still have it on my to do list to go back down and take some pictures when the landscaping is better and the fountains are turned on, but so far I haven't made it back down there.
8 comments posted
It's a lovely building and you captured it in beautiful light! I love the complementary color palette and colorful sky. The centered composition works well for me. The bare trees make the lower part of the structure more visible, which would not be the case if you shot this during the middle of summer. Posted: 07/08/2025 06:24:43
Thank you, Patrick. I agree that the summertime trees would block some of the lower part of the temple... the doors and stairs. But I think if I re-shot this, I would raise the drone a bit so the perspective doesn't feel like the temple is leaning back. Yes, it's ok to shoot from ground level with a drone, as I mentioned in my description, but shooting a little bit higher would move eye level up a bit and level out the building, as well as capturing more of the bottom of the temple. I was really happy with the sky that day. I only hope I can catch a day where it has some beautiful clouds when I return. Posted: 07/09/2025 19:57:42
Nice shot Drema, I however I think it would be better with the trees were minimized by a higher altitude. I really like the soft lighting on the facade. Posted: 07/10/2025 00:10:52
I agree with both of you. A vantage point a little higher so the trees aren't blocking the steps would be nice. Also, a 5 x 4 horizontal crop, taking out some of the sky, would put more emphasis on the primary subject. I know, it's a gorgeous sky, but is it the primary subject? Posted: 07/10/2025 01:42:23
Yes, I agree there is too much sky at the top, with not even very much going on up there. Thanks for the comment!
Here is a crop, and I still have most of the sky detail. I also "leaned" it a little forward with the vertical transform slider in Lightroom, but then it seemed to be leaning to the left... so I rotated it a tiny bit to the right, and now it seems to be leaning right. Good grief! :D it is a very difficult image to level up! Posted: 07/18/2025 17:19:32
Here is a crop, and I still have most of the sky detail. I also "leaned" it a little forward with the vertical transform slider in Lightroom, but then it seemed to be leaning to the left... so I rotated it a tiny bit to the right, and now it seems to be leaning right. Good grief! :D it is a very difficult image to level up! Posted: 07/18/2025 17:19:32
Hi Drema, I think this is great image. I agree that a little less sky is a slight improvement, the trees don't bother me at all, in fact I think they are rather nice. The colors and lighting are wonderful. Posted: 07/24/2025 21:28:18
The next time I visit the relatives in Evanston I am bring my drone. This is only a few miles from my sister in law's home.
I am ok with the amount of sky, but agree with others there could be a little more foreground.
Love the side light! A lovely image Posted: 07/27/2025 20:21:19
I am ok with the amount of sky, but agree with others there could be a little more foreground.
Love the side light! A lovely image Posted: 07/27/2025 20:21:19
Great image, beautiful building... wonderful blue sky with just the right amount of clouds. I echo the other comments, too much of the beautiful sky and would like the sparse trees not to touch the bottom of the building.
So many great compositions with the drone, you are right, sometimes you just need a little height. Posted: 07/28/2025 13:22:20
So many great compositions with the drone, you are right, sometimes you just need a little height. Posted: 07/28/2025 13:22:20