For years this place was just called 'The Castle' and was a private residence. It was turned into a B & B a couple of years ago, and is now officially "The Henderson Castle". It's been a landmark in town since.....well, forever. I got off several shots of the place a couple of days ago, and am looking forward to going back when the trees are full and the flowers are in bloom. I did some layering in my image editor, and added some saturation and other adjustments. It's not the best, and there are a few corrections you all will be able to help me make, but as far as subject matter, what do you think?
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/yankfan/For%20the%20internet/HendersonCastlecroppedwithonelayerl.jpg
Camera model: NIKON D70
Date/Time: 2007:04:10 14:58:12
Resolution: 550 x 328
Flash used: No
Focal length: 46.0mm (35mm equivalent: 69mm)
Exposure time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
Aperture: f/8.0
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/yankfan/For%20the%20internet/HendersonCastleagainsttheskywithbar.jpg
Camera model: NIKON D70
Date/Time: 2007:04:10 14:58:49
Resolution: 398 x 538
Flash used: No
Focal length: 55.0mm (35mm equivalent: 82mm)
Exposure time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
Aperture: f/13.0
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
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I like the composition and the subject. I think the first one is cropped a bit tight. I think a little more foreground would help. A polarizer would have brought more detail out of the sky as well. It also seems a bit soft.
Greg

Greg - I think you're right on the first one. Now that I look again, I see your point. In lieu of a polarizer (one of my next purchases) I have to make do with increasing the saturation. I'm going to be interested to see what everyone has to say, as the next time I want to get it right.

John,

For me neither work as there is too much clutter in front of the building with the branches and trees, so I'm not sure what your trying to show. If its the building a different position would be better, if its the environment around the building then you need to pull back more.

Just my opinion of course.

That in England would be a manor house not a castle.

Roger

Got it. Thanks Roger. One of my concerns is how I'm going to avoid that when I go back. What I will need to do is make sure nothing obstructs the view of the place. I guess what this really is, is a series of test shots.:)

Hi John,

This looks like a far more interesting place than can be summed up in just one image. For starters, to get the whole house without too much in the way, I would use a wide lens (18-35mm) and a low angle and get much closer to it. That will help you reduce a lot of the distractions. Since it is a B&B now you can contact the owners about permission to walk around and really check the place out. Offer them copies of the pics and explain to them how this house fires your imagination. Then once you're in, don't stop shooting till you find the image you're looking for out of this place. At least. . . that's what I'd do.:)

Work it!:thumbsup:

Hi John,

This looks like a far more interesting place than can be summed up in just one image. For starters, to get the whole house without too much in the way, I would use a wide lens (18-35mm) and a low angle and get much closer to it. That will help you reduce a lot of the distractions. Since it is a B&B now you can contact the owners about permission to walk around and really check the place out. Offer them copies of the pics and explain to them how this house fires your imagination. Then once you're in, don't stop shooting till you find the image you're looking for out of this place. At least. . . that's what I'd do.:)

Work it!:thumbsup:

That's the plan Cindy...that's the plan. :D

Another little trick when you just can't get the whole thing in, is to look for the details. A house like that must have loads of little photogenic details: the tower, ivy on a textured wall, etc, etc.

Mike

Another little trick when you just can't get the whole thing in, is to look for the details. A house like that must have loads of little photogenic details: the tower, ivy on a textured wall, etc, etc.

Mike

I will leave no stone unturned:D