Bruce Flamenbaum
April 2025 - Chantilly France
About the Image(s)
Chantilly France. 1/100 sec f13 ISO 100
The chateau is known for its architecture and equestrian events. The stables are more luxurious than my house. These a few Emperors that decorate the chateau.
3 comments posted
Hi Bruce. This is a fascinating image. I love the row of statues, and how the line through them forms a strong diagonal. I also love how the statues contrast the strong graphic form - lines and textures - of the architecture behind them. I admit I don't know my emperors, so I couldn't name them.
I think there are a couple of things associated with how you framed this that to me could perhaps be strengthened. I am a stickler for getting verticals truly vertical, and the building lines are slightly tilted. Second, I find the bright area beyond the building at the far right a bit distracting. The image is about the statues and architecture, yet my eye just wants to go explore the field because it is bright. Finally, I really wish the emperor on the near left (Shall we call him Nearo?) had a little more room on the left - that we could see all of the statue and he was not bumping the edge.
The first two issues can be solved with crops. The third can be solved with a crop too, as long as you are willing to use Photoshop's generative AI fill to "expand" the image. I did all of that in my version below.
After that I'd do a few more things to really make Nearo stand out as the subject. Stuff like enhancing / sharpening the detail in his face and eye, and lighting him (making lighting adjustments) as you would for a portrait. I'd also do some things to enhance the 3D look - making the near edge on the left darker, cooler, and more saturated than the right side of the photo (taper things across the frame in other words).
Hope those suggestions help. I think it is possible to get Nearo to really pop! Great image.
Posted: 04/13/2025 14:09:46
I think there are a couple of things associated with how you framed this that to me could perhaps be strengthened. I am a stickler for getting verticals truly vertical, and the building lines are slightly tilted. Second, I find the bright area beyond the building at the far right a bit distracting. The image is about the statues and architecture, yet my eye just wants to go explore the field because it is bright. Finally, I really wish the emperor on the near left (Shall we call him Nearo?) had a little more room on the left - that we could see all of the statue and he was not bumping the edge.
The first two issues can be solved with crops. The third can be solved with a crop too, as long as you are willing to use Photoshop's generative AI fill to "expand" the image. I did all of that in my version below.
After that I'd do a few more things to really make Nearo stand out as the subject. Stuff like enhancing / sharpening the detail in his face and eye, and lighting him (making lighting adjustments) as you would for a portrait. I'd also do some things to enhance the 3D look - making the near edge on the left darker, cooler, and more saturated than the right side of the photo (taper things across the frame in other words).
Hope those suggestions help. I think it is possible to get Nearo to really pop! Great image.
Posted: 04/13/2025 14:09:46
I do agree with Robert. I will crop out the lawn and all out of focus sculpture heads. Excellent POV . Nice Work. Posted: 04/13/2025 20:02:31
Hi Bruce,
Sorry about my tardiness in responding this month. I am half way through Cataract Surgery with my left eye operation happening next month.
Thanks for your architectural image. Like Robert's comments, I agree with the crop on the right and the building is leaning ever so slightly to the left. In architectural photography, vertical edges want to be displayed perfectly vertical. That is because our brain senses verticality even if when we tilt our heads . . . a result that cameras cannot automatically duplicate (depending upon the type of lens and potential software features).
I love the detail you captured in the stone surfaces.
Cheers! Posted: 04/19/2025 20:01:57
Sorry about my tardiness in responding this month. I am half way through Cataract Surgery with my left eye operation happening next month.
Thanks for your architectural image. Like Robert's comments, I agree with the crop on the right and the building is leaning ever so slightly to the left. In architectural photography, vertical edges want to be displayed perfectly vertical. That is because our brain senses verticality even if when we tilt our heads . . . a result that cameras cannot automatically duplicate (depending upon the type of lens and potential software features).
I love the detail you captured in the stone surfaces.
Cheers! Posted: 04/19/2025 20:01:57