JT @voiceprintz and I met up at a Chicago Streets and Beyond Photography Meetup this afternoon for a "private" tour -- intimate group of about 40 photographers -- of Holy Name Cathedral which is one of Chicago's biggest (maybe only). I've walked by this so many times and really hadn't paid much attention, but inside...it was so impressive. We spent a little over an hour hearing some of its history but mostly wandering around, including being able to use tripods, taking photos wherever we wanted to. A dream if you like architectural shots. This is the main sanctuary, looking back toward the entrance. Fun with the fisheye again, 3 shots bracketed and processed in Photomatix and LR5.
Alternate of just the stained glass windows: http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2015-04-10
Thank you again this week for your visits, comments, and favs that led to 2 shots in TT. I'm thrilled with the support and the confidence-building recognition -- it means a lot. But wondering, though, if there should be a limit of one per person...
What a dream photo that would be! I'm totally in love with this! Had a quick peek at the stained glass window and I'm about to return to that as well (Gorgeous!!!) Here, your lighting is so exquisitely balanced, and that lens lets you see so much...well, not brilliantly expressed, but "Wow!"
What amazes me most with your architectural shots is your eye for composition and balance. I just look at architecture and don't know how to translate what I see into images. Another beauty taffy.
A glorious shot Taffy! Usually we are having to make adjustments fir distortion especially in a building like thus with do many lines and curves. This fish eye lens frees you from all that and allows you the freedom to be creative in your image! Love it! Fav!
@ellisroger I can't tell you how many times I walk by this as I get my hair cut around the corner. When I went to the meet up, I even went to the wrong structure! And yet, once seen, it's quite a standout place.
So... just seeing this now, for honorable family reasons. :). What a great space! The fisheye is super for this composition, assuming an accurate "line up" (which you accomplished). Wonderful composition, to make sure that the lines just lead you right down the center. Yay!
What a fantastic perspective on this view Taffy, what a great imagination you have. The fisheye has added such interest to 'the usual' church interior shot, and you've managed at the same time to retain the rich colours of the wood, stone-work and stained glass. I must check out our local equivalent, thanks for the thought. What kind of fisheye are you using?
@taffy Thanks Taffy. I see Lensbaby have a fisheye, but I need to check out reviews etc. The Canon version/s are likely to be a bit expensive for the use it'd get.
@golftragic I agree -- definitely not a lens to spend a fortune on as it's too specialized. Here's one someone recommended: Opteka 6.5mm f/3.5 HD Aspherical Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood it's a manual lens. I have to find the name of other one that begins with an R I think, but can't remember.
As much as I enjoy photos with the fisheye lens, this loses how it truly would look just as a regular, beautiful and detailed photo. You did an amazing job with this photo, Taffy.
Good composition with the fish-eye again - you make it look so simple to use, but I can imagine how difficult it must be and how meticulous you must be when choosing your viewpoint and composition. Interesting how the fish eye seem to reduce the perception of height here. (great HDR again, by the way)
@ericdibosco I love how much credit you are giving me for design! I do think they are hard to use, but in the end, there are a few rules for making it more likely you'll have a workable shot -- find something semi-structural. Stand dead center unless you want a wonky POV. Hold hands steady and shoot. A lot has to do with finding things with interesting horizontal lines, which you then use the fisheye to stretch in interesting ways. They are totally fun to use!