Drema Swader
November 2023 - Holy Hill Cathedral in Autumn
About the Image(s)
"Holy Hill" is an iconic spot for photography in Wisconsin, especially during autumn when the foliage is so colorful. There are signs everywhere on the grounds, "No Drones." But that doesn't mean we can't fly them from off the grounds. I'm wanting the Mavic 3 Pro with its zoom lens more and more!
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Hi Drema, I think this is a great image. It really has impact with the vivid fall colors. I like the composition as well, the image has very good depth of field. Posted: 11/07/2023 16:56:45
Thanks, Lou! Depth of field is so much easier with the wide-angle lens on the drone, isn't it! I don't even worry about it when I'm flying. Posted: 11/16/2023 18:15:24
This is a great image, Drema. I can only imagine what it would look like shot with drone with a Zoom camera. You certainly captured the Fall colors magnificently.
The sky takes up a good portion of your image.
If I remember right, you prefer not to replace skies - Not a bad approach for sure. I am the opposite. If I was lucky enough to capture this image, I probably would have replaced the sky with one that was more interesting (IMO) that include some clouds. Posted: 11/12/2023 19:36:27
The sky takes up a good portion of your image.
If I remember right, you prefer not to replace skies - Not a bad approach for sure. I am the opposite. If I was lucky enough to capture this image, I probably would have replaced the sky with one that was more interesting (IMO) that include some clouds. Posted: 11/12/2023 19:36:27
Thanks, Don. I have definitely been wanting zoom lenses on my drone... almost every time I fly.
You are correct, I don't usually replace skies. I have nothing against people who do it, I just don't typically do it myself (and if I do, I make it known that's what I did). See my comment to Pete about the large amount of sky. I tried cropping it down, but felt the image looked less expansive and closed in.
Posted: 11/16/2023 18:35:22
You are correct, I don't usually replace skies. I have nothing against people who do it, I just don't typically do it myself (and if I do, I make it known that's what I did). See my comment to Pete about the large amount of sky. I tried cropping it down, but felt the image looked less expansive and closed in.
Posted: 11/16/2023 18:35:22
Drema,
I always jealous of your Fall colors. This image is very stong. I think you captured the Holy Hill in great light and is poster worthy. I would love to see a straight down photo of this spot. To bad you can't get closer.
Love your work.
Alex Posted: 11/13/2023 10:04:34
I always jealous of your Fall colors. This image is very stong. I think you captured the Holy Hill in great light and is poster worthy. I would love to see a straight down photo of this spot. To bad you can't get closer.
Love your work.
Alex Posted: 11/13/2023 10:04:34
Thanks so much, Alex. When I lived in southern California, I really missed the fall colors! I have more than enough now! :)
I agree, getting closer would be cool too. Straight-down shots, or almost straight-down, might provide some interesting photos! I'm afraid that's not going to happen though. I guess I could fly over and do it... they don't own the air... as long as I take off from off the grounds. But it is quite a long way (whether it looks like it or not) and I would need more battery than I currently have (I think I need new batteries, they only seem to last 10 or 15 minutes) Posted: 11/16/2023 18:43:59
I agree, getting closer would be cool too. Straight-down shots, or almost straight-down, might provide some interesting photos! I'm afraid that's not going to happen though. I guess I could fly over and do it... they don't own the air... as long as I take off from off the grounds. But it is quite a long way (whether it looks like it or not) and I would need more battery than I currently have (I think I need new batteries, they only seem to last 10 or 15 minutes) Posted: 11/16/2023 18:43:59
What a great spot, and day.
I see this as more about the fall color, not the church, and think the zoom amount was just right.
As someone else has already suggested perhaps just a little less sky since it is blank, without clouds
The spot where the road shows up could possibly be cloned out????
Posted: 11/16/2023 14:55:16
I see this as more about the fall color, not the church, and think the zoom amount was just right.
As someone else has already suggested perhaps just a little less sky since it is blank, without clouds
The spot where the road shows up could possibly be cloned out????
Posted: 11/16/2023 14:55:16
Hi Pete. I submitted this photo to Landscape Photography Magazine and they published it on their website (still remains to be seen if they are going to publish it in their magazine). Here is the link if you are interested https://landscapephotographymagazine.com/13/11/2023/holy-hill-erin-wisconsin-usa/
Notice I had cloned trees into the area you mentioned. We were thinking alike! :)
I also cropped off some of the sky to see how it looked but put it back before submitting for publishing. I think part of the strength in this image is the expansive look, and I felt it suddenly seemed like a smaller world when the sky was cropped down. I let it sit on my screen for a while and came back and looked at it several times, and decided "nope, sky has gotta stay" (sometimes it is so helpful to walk away for a while and come back and look... I'll bet you sometimes do the same!) Posted: 11/16/2023 18:31:08
Notice I had cloned trees into the area you mentioned. We were thinking alike! :)
I also cropped off some of the sky to see how it looked but put it back before submitting for publishing. I think part of the strength in this image is the expansive look, and I felt it suddenly seemed like a smaller world when the sky was cropped down. I let it sit on my screen for a while and came back and looked at it several times, and decided "nope, sky has gotta stay" (sometimes it is so helpful to walk away for a while and come back and look... I'll bet you sometimes do the same!) Posted: 11/16/2023 18:31:08
You captured a beautiful scene! The light coming from the left nicely illuminates the facade, and the leaves appear to at their peak. The plain blue sky needs a cloud or two to be layered in. Posted: 11/16/2023 20:28:21
Thank you, Richard! Posted: 11/17/2023 12:25:44
Great image, feels like a fairytale castle. Agree with Pete about wishing there were trees in that one area, but it gives you a sense that you can get to the castle. A zoom lens would be great for more detail, but the expanse of this, with the sky, is great. Posted: 11/28/2023 10:00:44
I like the image in the magazine, great job!!! Posted: 11/28/2023 10:02:12