watching the sunset

Beautiful scene, very nice composition, particularly having the sun coming directly through the "bridge". The HDR look does make it seem a bit artificial and perhaps that was your intent. If not, the buildings, etc. need to be exposed less because there is no way they could be that bright (absent direct artificial light); they are in the shade, obviously, but it does not look that way in the image.

I agree, but I like it much more so!

Edited by digiton - 06 November 2019 at 20:38

I agree with Harald that this has the look of an old Dutch Master.
Despite the HDR, which after all approximates the dynamics of the human eye's range, a most appealing image.

digiton wrote: This photo is edited in LR, but I s not HDR

To be clear, I did not state that the image was an HDR, not that that makes a difference. I stated: "The HDR look ... " Jozioau is, of course, correct in that the newer cameras with their higher dynamic range can, sometimes even without processing, begin to approach what the human eye can see in the bright sun/shadow image. I also agree that it is a pleasing image with a painterly look. I think there is a bit of visual psychology occurring with my comment in that I (I am 73 years old), and I think many others, are so accustomed to seeing photographs that canNOT display this kind of dynamic range that when we see this kind of image, we immediately think "manipulation" of some sort either in the combining of exposures (HDR) or of processing by brightening the shadows and/or darkening the brights (which can create an HDR LOOK). This image, in terms of light, does more closely present what the human eye/brain would see than an unprocessed, out-of-the-camera, especially an older camera, image would reveal. Old dogs, new tricks and maybe this old dog (who does use the tricks) just is overly sensitive to the heavier use of the new tricks than he is accustomed to. My problem, not the photographer's.

Edited by Roger Rex - 07 November 2019 at 21:15

I think it's a rather enchanting image, Ton.

I can see where the 'debate' has originated from on the HDR side and I am also fascinated by how the most recent cameras deal with these very divergent tones and qualities of light. I have absolutely no doubt that this is 'as seen' as I have seen such effects before - the issue, increasingly, is for those of us seeing an image such as this who may not have is the belief it really is 'as seen' and not manipulated in any extreme way.

Unfortunately, I see it at the Camera Club with images that, clearly, are heavily manipulated (seems to be afflicting Landscapes specifically at the moment for some reason) and one sits there thinking "I've never, ever seen a sky with those combinations of colours, especially in the UK!" However, as has been said, the cameras now are able to much more closely match what the eye sees rather than what the sensor could capture in older generations of digital sensors, so I guess we have to be more relaxed about what we are seeing and take it as such.

Overall, for this shot, it's a great image; love the composition (not that you can move the buildings!) and, especially, the framing of the bright sunlight between the arch and then masked by the clouds and the trees. And, of course, there's that wonderful Dutch architecture to also admire and take in.

A very fine image and thanks for sharing (and the debate!).

Best regards, Neil.

You are absolutely right Pieter!
We have specially planned this trip because the sun only sets exactly in line with the canal during this period.

Edited by digiton - 07 November 2019 at 19:05

digiton wrote: You are absolutely right Pieter! We have specially planned this trip because the sun only sets exactly in line with the canal during this period.

And in six months time once again!