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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 112: Give another look on buildings around you (hosted by Stéphane Bouchard) >> Challenge 112: Exhibition > edit image
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March 2004 Daniel Bollag

BuenosAires1*
by Daniel Bollag

Buenos Aires, Argentina

«Torre de los Ingleses» (built 1916)

I’m preparing a trip to Argentina.
What better, then, than making use of this challenge
to remember the last time I was there?

(I hope, Stéphane, your concept of «Buildings» includes bell towers).


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Daniel Bollag22-Feb-2006 04:34
Now, Stéphane and bottles: I’m not sure fantasizing about what other picture one could take at the same place is the ideal way to criticize an image. In this photo («as is») the *unlit* lamps lead your eye to the *sunbathed* tower (that’s seems to be a point in favour). Had the lamps been lit—making for a more attractive atmosphere, no doubt—they might have taken some of the overall interest away from the tower (which—OTOH—might then, a bit later in the evening, not having been sunbathed any more). And, eventually, taking the photo at night—as you, Stéphane, suggest—might leave us with a beautiful picture of lit lamps, in the background of which we might see a faint and dark shadow of a bell tower (not fit for the «buildings»-challenge, right?). So, possibly, this picture is—after all—not *that* bad as it stands, though it does have one real flaw (the one bottles pointed out): due to my not bringing a tripod along, I took it with too high an iso-number and, therefore, there is some «digital noise» visible in the sky. That is, for me, not reason enough to take another, better version of this image of a place many thousands of miles away from where I live (except, of course, if the building in the lower centre were torn down for the occasion, and the wind «played» with the Argentinian flag we see in front of the tower... but that’s, again, another story ;-)) Anyway: many thanks to both of you for commenting! — db.
stephane bouchard21-Feb-2006 01:18
I completely agree with bottles comment. This composition is very strong and I think you should consider revisit this place to shoot again in a better light condition.

What about a long exposure night shot at exactly the same place?

And yes Daniel, my “concept” of buildings includes this kind of human construction.
-Stéphane
ctfchallenge19-Feb-2006 11:51
Thank you, bottles, for taking the time to analyze my image. I do agree with you: the lamps seem to downright require to be lit; but my mentality as a journalist would not allow me to do what you suggest (though, I can see that there may be an *aritistic* «truth» where I see a *journalistic* «lie»...). And as far as the «noise» in the sky goes: yes, iso800 was obviously a bit exaggerated; 400 for sure, and maybe even 200 would have been good enough to take this shot in the evening light! Glad you like the picture anyway ;-) — db.
Guest 18-Feb-2006 21:23
Daniel, this is such a cool shot! I really like the diagonal lineup of the lamps, they lead my eye right to the tower. Great composition! *As for critique, there is a little noise in the sky area that you might consider removing if you can. Also, I don't know if it would be better or not but I'd probably experiment with lighting the lamps (dimly) in post processing just to see how it looked. ;-) Great entry for this challenge in any case!