Off camera flash

[dkatchalov]

Hey guys... here's my first attempt at OCF...

let me have it :)

thanks in advance!

http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/dkatchalov/IMG_9108.jpg

http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/dkatchalov/IMG_9059.jpg

[tonydee]

Well done... a dramatic, engaging result from such a simple approach. My first though on seeing #1 was "spooky", and my eye travelled outwards to inspect the hand-rails' shadow and other features, but the area around the door is so well lit and sharp it's almost like it's the "target" of some light/energy or something, making the area in front of the door some stage for action to unfold. Looking at it, I even find the source of light somewhat ambiguous, as if it might be inside the photo somewhere - climbing the steps - but somehow we can see it reflected off the building but not directly. Of course, careful examination of the steps and posts at their base establishes the real position of the light. So, I found it got my eye travelling around, enjoying the contemplation.

#2: much less engaging, but one case where an ungrounded image with a tilted camera and hence pinched verticals works an absolute treat. I really like the linearity of the four windows stretching upwards on the near side of the building.

Cheers,
Tony

[lewkyle]

I like one alot, two is a little boring for some reason, good execution but boring

[SarahRC]

I love both of them. How do you get them so sharp?! I would crop the second one a bit, and make it into a square shot. There is just a little too much empty black space on the sides. NICE work :)

[dkatchalov]

thanks for the feedback guys!

agree that the second one is a bit boring and yes, the square shot would reduce the black space around the image - will change that now!

as for the sharpness, i've shot this with a 5dmk2, 17-40l, 580exII and 430ex. only PP was bumping up contrast in LR, B&W conversion, crop and camera calibration in Lightroom. oh and "sharpen for screen" when I converted raw>jpg. also this was shot on a tripod.

once again, thanks for the feedback!