Shop
This is a picture in the cemetery churchyard of St. James’ church in Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire, UK.
This is also an attempt to salvage a rather mediocre picture… I only found myself in the churchyard by accident, and was smitten by the light. So I took several shots without much thinking or planning, as the light was fading fast and I was feeling guilty that I really ought to be driving somewhere else by then… The results were predictably disappointing.
I have chopped and cropped and straightened and leveled and cloned and curved and sharpened and applied some selective Orton to the cross, to bring back some of the drama and the magic that my mind saw at the time. I must say that the result is growing on me…
I would be happy to hear any opinions and suggestions you may have!
Here is what the original photo looked like:
My grandfather was a serious amateur photographer in the ’20s and ’30s, leaving me a legacy of stereoscopic pictures and equipment. The bug passed through the genes to my father and to me. I started taking pictures seriously when I was 11 and I spent most of my teenage years in and out of the darkroom. University, work and kids put photography on pause but my first digital camera in 2006 re-kindled my interest. RB has given me a vehicle for sharing my work and for learning so much.
View Full Profile
Comments
WOW! Thank you very much Bonita, an instant feature! That is some compliment!!! I really appreciate it!
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
You are so very welcome ! I love it ! Have a superb weekend !
Bonita :)
You too… :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
I like the original as well but there is a magic about this shot indeed. I love the long shadows and the rich warm tones of the stone. It is a very solemn view and with much emotion attached to it even though you put not much thought into the shot. Very well composed and worked on. I do like the end result very much. Well cone my friend. Congrats on your feature.
Thanks Shawn, I appreciate the feedback! :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
You are welcome – and you did know I meant to say “Well done my friend” don’t you?
LOL – yes I did. You know what my typing abilities are like… :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
I think that you did great George! Your PP has definitely brought the scene alive with new light and shadow. There is an aura of mystery which was previously lacking and also of hope. It looks like you gave the place a soul… :-)
Thanks Johanne, that’s very kind! I’m still not at the point that I know what PP I need, to get to the effect I want, so it takes a lot of experimenting before I get there. Thank God for “Undo” :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
LOL!! PP : Post-Processing! :-)
LOL – I know that! I meant what PP techniques/tools I need to achieve each effect..
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
Another temporary brain feeze… believe it or not, this is what registered when I read “at the point that I know what PP means” . I found it extremely strange that you should say this, but instead of reading to make sure that it was what you said, I elected to inform you diplomatically of the meaning instead. Sheesh, I feel so dumb now. ROTFL!!!
LOL – don’t! we’ve all been there… :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
εξαιρετική λήψη φίλε…
Σ’ευχαριστώ Κωστή – Καλή χρονιά! :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
Looks good George.
You sure done well on this.
Thanks Richard, I appreciate the feedback :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)
congratulations on a good job well done, looks stunning :o)
Thanks mate :-)
– George Parapadakis (monocotylidono)