St. Paul's Mission...

[Scott]

Hi, all -

Still working on pano technique.  Looking for an excuse to use the new rig (I cannot handhold panos like Paul can), I went back to St. Paul's Mission Church today.  Noted that they have a new churchyard member as of March 31 - didn't know they still buried people there.

Anyway, the sky is a little more conducive, but I'm not sure I have a decent composition.  Whatchall think?



I think the church needs to be shot as a pano to include the surrounding graveyard, and it's a tough place to shoot, 'cause the road butts right up to the front of the church, and there's surrounding buildings to exclude.  I think I'm getting there, but like I said, I'm not sure if my, um, vantage point is correct.

C&C welcome.  Thanks.
Scott

[sandeha]

Can't fault it techniquewise, Scott.  Could you take a step or two to the left, so you pick up more of that red/green contrast between the door and the trees?

[KirkT]

I like the shot.  I love the contrast and the composition, but I think I'd like to see that sky a little darker; it really hits the eyes hard.

[Scott]

Thanks, Sandeha and Kirk.  Sandeha, I think the side step(s) would be an improvement, and might separate the bush in the back from the grave stones a little as well.  Kirk, the sky is a source of constant frustration for me.  Go on a clear day, and it's a dull, flat, bright sheet.  Go on an overcast day, and it looks like this.  Guess I need to keep trying... :censored:

Thanks for the input, guys.
Scott

[LarryD]

Nice mood setting you captured it well. And what is with red doors on churches? I have seen it many times.

[Scott]

Thanks, Larry.  I, too, have wondered about the red doors.  Looked it up: http://www.secaucus.org/oursaviour/churchdoors.html.  Kinda interesting, if not conclusive.

Scott

[LarryD]

Thanks for that link.

[jamesmck]

Scott - I like the composition and agree with Sandeha about getting a little more door.  On the sky, I tried messing with shadows/highlights in Photoshop, with a little success.  This is a great site to work with!

James

[Scott]

Thanks, James.  Heading back there tomorrow - hopefully the skies will be more agreeable.

FWIW, I also shot this today:


I kinda think, given my shooting location, this shot works a little better than the wider pano.  Thoughts?

Thanks,
Scott

[jamesmck]

Scott - I prefer the rectangular.  On the sky, there is something there that might be brought out further by changes in exposure or editing in Photoshop.  Look at Image>Adjustments>Shadows and Highlights, and do Shadows 16% and Highlights 68%.  Maybe on a tripod do 2 identical exposures, one best for clouds and one best for the rest, and combine in PS.  Normally I'd say just wait for a better sky, but it looks like that might be a long wait :-).

[P C Headland]

I find it often takes a few attempts before getting the panorama framing right.  But you look like you're not too far off.  Some stronger, more directional light may help, especially in bringing out the texture of the church walls.  Perhaps getting a bit more of the red door and a little less of the trees on the right?  Perhaps also try shooting it from a little higher if possible.  I'm not sure which option would work best, especially since I can't tell what physical limitations the sight imposes.

One problem you face is balancing the sky exposure against that of the church walls.  So, you might like to try setting the camera to do exposure bracketing (+2,0,-2 if possible), and take three shots in each position.  Then do three stitches (one at -2, one at 0, one at +2)  You should then be able to do an HDR merge of the three panoramas.


You might want to try a more multi-row pano, then crop the result after.  You could include more sky, skimming the church roof to get some stitching anchors, and exposing that row more for the sky.  Then open up a bit for the next row down, etc.  Hugin will handle the differing exposures pretty well.

[rgeorge911]

If it were me, I'd try to find a way to get up higher (on top of a car, ladder, etc.), to reduce the amount of sky in the shot.

But, that's easier said than done, I know.

I do like the shot, though.

I'm also working on my pano technique - you're ahead of me.

Reed

[Scott]

Thanks for the comments, Paul and Reed.  It's funny - part of me wants to shoot from the ground to accentuate the as-yet uncooperative sky. Ah, well - the church is only a couple miles from home - plenty of opportunity to go back...

Scott

[JRJacobs]

I like the shot.  Not sure I care for the distortion from the wide angle lens - it makes it a bit distracting for me. 

Balancing sky in digital is difficult sometimes.  I find a polarizer helps alot.

[Ronald Bishop]

Scott, I am sure not the one to tell you how, but am learning from the responses. For me thats is what it is about.

    I went out this morning after I seen yours and looked for churches with red doors. I drove around Spokane for a couple of hours {plus junk store time} and there ain't no churches in town with red doors!
    I did find some interesting churches though, but the wrong time of the day to shoot pictures.