Charles Bridge, Prague

SteveF

Hello,

This first one is at the west end of the Charles Bridge in Prague. If you are on the north side of the bridge looking under it to the south there is a waterwheel that has been there some ridiculously long time (for us Americans : )

This was taken at dawn - trying to capture both the feel of the pre-dawn light under the bridge with the first rays of day in the sky and reflections off the building. It was about a 10 second exposure, which gave a nice blur to the wheel as well.

My thinking was to create a symetrical "frame" with the arch of the bridge and the railing in front of me. This is how it looks - the pic was taken with an 85/1.2 at f/8 so the curvature is not from distortion. I'm not sure it works, or if it just fades off the right side of the picture - I'd appreciate any c/c on that.

The 24x30 print looks so much better - you'll have to use some web imagination for that.





The second is from a cliff near Lake Superior last weekend. I was chasing birds, but during a lull pointed the 500/4 at the Lake. Colors were beautiful. The Lake appears a little choppier than you might expect - that's Wisconsin.




thanks for looking,

erich6

I like the composition of the first shot. Nice warm colors and the framing works. I think, however, that there's too much of the bridge on the upper left. I think it starts to compete with the subject. I think a shot from further to the left would've fixed this. That would've also gotten rid of some of the dark tree on the right which doesn't add much.

The picture looks "soft" here but that's probably the version posted to Web. It does seem to have good sharpness potential.

Erich

Andy

wow, steve

that first shot is so good for so many reasons. the mirroring curved elements, the fact that you provide the viewer a nice frame for the distant subject, and a lovely slow way to get me there. the buttery smooth water combined with the crisp sharp details of the bridge lines, and tree leaves, well, this photo's working on all fronts for me! not to mention that you got a nice warm glow without the typical orangy mess that many nightshots suffer from.

man this is good. seriously.

thanks for sharing, steve.

Phil U.

I got a WOW reaction on the first one there. Really like the composition. Framed by the opposing curves - nice! The lighting is excellent and I like that you have the pre-dawn sky peeking in there. Very very good.

Higgmeister

Hi Steve,
#1 gets a :jawdrop from me also. I love the forms, texture and overall comp and color. The real grabber is the mill wheel. I'm just a sucker for these and you have a wonderful capture of it. The shot is subtle, but all the elements lined up.

Great shot,
Chris

eye-max

Excellent!!!!
everybody has already critiqued #1 but I had to add my "WOW".