Bob Wills  


Our Lady of Lourdes by Bob Wills

May 2023 - Our Lady of Lourdes

About the Image(s)

This was taken in Spokane, and I liked the angles created by the balcony. Not for everyone. The first mass was spoken in 1881 in the carpenter's shop. The brick cathedral was completed in 1906. Spokane is home to Gonzaga U and is an interesting golf town.

Fuji X-T2, 24-70 mm APC lens and 1/5 sec @f8.

Trying to be different.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted




Robert Atkins   Robert Atkins
Hi Bob. This is a nice bit of architectural photography. I am always captivated by stained glass in churches, although I don't think I have ever captured it very well the few times I've tried. I think you've done a better job here.

One of the challenges is always dynamic range. I feel like the whites in the window are just slightly blown out. I took it in Lightroom and it seemed there was room to pull the whites down at least some. You may have more room in the original image.

I'd offer a couple of other small tweaks. It would be good to align the paneling on the left truly vertical. Also, there are some "dark" spots near the top and bottom. I'd say it was vignetting but the top one is not right in the corner. Would be good to smooth out the tonality there whatever is going on. Finally, I tried warming things up in lightroom and I think it brings a glow to the woodwork that I like. Just some thoughts. Did a quick version below, but more time is needed on the dark spots.   Posted: 05/06/2023 07:27:15
Comment Image
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Robert. My old cabinetmaking passion (prior to tremors) is why I shot this image. I have many images of stained glass, so I hoped to frame the woodwork. Time for me to get the Rulers and Transform tools in PS active to get this image displayed properly, but not make it static. Your suggestions are great. I didn't notice the dark spots as I was concentrating on the balcony wood too much. I didn't use a vignette, but the lens may have caused it. I'll look closer at the RAW file.   Posted: 05/08/2023 08:37:47



Dan Mottaz   Dan Mottaz
Hi Bob, the way in which you framed your image removes it from just a picture of someone else's art to looking at this scene from a unique point of view. I find the balcony an interesting element.
I might suggest you tone down the brightness of the balcony's underside. The way it is presented takes too much attention off the stained glass. I assume the stained glass is your intended point of interest. Help the viewer keep their eyes where you want them.
Nicely seen!   Posted: 05/07/2023 14:02:26
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Dan. Your comments are a tremendous help. I need to crop the bottom off the window, as it isn't my intended subject but a supporting element and frame for the balcony. The balcony, also being someone else's artwork, makes me reconsider this image, but I believe it will pass the ethics test. I always try to look up too during a shoot to see if there is interest (to me.)   Posted: 05/08/2023 08:45:27



Haru Nagasaki   Haru Nagasaki
Thank you for sharing, Bob.
You always look things different, which I admire. I would not come up to this composition.
This is a unique framing. Being a viewer, I eager to see the glass above the balcony. Hiding the subject works for me. It stimulates my emotion.
On the other hand, the color of balcony is a bit strong for me. I need some colors off-setting it in my eye.   Posted: 05/09/2023 20:49:32
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thank you, Haru. I tried keeping the balcony wood close to what the color appeared to me. That color is what attracted me in the first place, not the balcony itself. The entire cathedral interior is given a "holy" color cast and glow from all the many stained-glass windows. Not an accident by the church, I would guess. To me this image is more a study of color than actual "things".
I do like your interpretation of my image a lot.   Posted: 05/10/2023 08:44:11



Gloria Grandolini   Gloria Grandolini
Hi Bob, very interesting image, as mentioned by others it is a different and distinct point of view and it works very well. Just minor comments - I also think you should straighten the vertical part of wall on the right. Something about the white of the glass and brown of the wood on the upper part of the balcony looks over saturated to my eyes. Nice creative work.   Posted: 05/10/2023 11:45:22
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Thanks, Gloria. I don't always compensate for wide angle lenses. I should.   Posted: 05/10/2023 12:21:37



Cheryl LaLonde   Cheryl LaLonde
Wow Bob, this is an interesting image. I would have never thought to frame it in this way. I think others have captured most of the areas for improvement. I agree with you that if the balcony is the main subject, cropping the bottom window out would help to emphasize that. The way it is now the window is what my eye goes to most. Adjusting the color and straightening as Robert and Dan suggested will also benefit the image. Sorry I don't have anything else to add.   Posted: 05/10/2023 13:59:44
Bob Wills   Bob Wills
Au contraire Cheryl. You most certainly did add something. When multiple members agree with suggested changes, it helps me focus my re-edits. Thank you.   Posted: 05/11/2023 08:09:45