Duncan Tavern

[srobb]

This is an old building (1788) in Paris, Ky. One of the things I am trying to work on is doing a lot of the National Historic sites in some of the surrounding areas. Wanted to see what you all thought of this one. Also have some in b&w.

[photophorous]

Hi Srobb,

Something's weird about the perspective. I can't tell if it's just your vantage point, or if it's your lens. Were you using a wide angle? It's an interesting building, but I think the picture would look better from a higher vantage point, and maybe off to one side a little. Just my opinion, I guess.

Is it really a tavern? I'd like to have a beer there.

Paul

[mjs1973]

I love the building, but I don't think your presentation does it justice. Your exposure looks good, but I think your composition needs some work. The most noticeable problem is that the building is not level. It appears to be leaning to the left. That is an easy fix tho. Another thing I find distracting is the power lines. You can't move them, but you can try a dif. vantage point to get them out of the picture. My suggestion would be to move around the building more, if that is an option. Soom in and show some of the intricate detail. Focus on something like the door, or a window. Take the shots that show the entire building also, but find that "historic" detail in the building and explote them so help show the history of the building. Just my thoughts.

[livin4lax09]

the lens has vignetting. THat's was causing the abnormality in the shape of the house.

[Seb]

That's a nice building for sure but I agree with the comments already expressed here. The tilt and the power lines are problematic. It would probably be better to get closer to the tavern and to shoot details.

Another possibility would be night shooting. I would supose that this building is well lit at night. With some chance, you may loose the power lines in the darkness.

regards

Seb

[johngfoster]

I think your horizon line is not level. A simple image rotation in PS should fix this. Look at the lines on the building try to rotate it so they are level. It appears the place is on the side of a hill so the street wil be angled down to the right. Nice image otherwise. Just my 2c.

[srobb]

Thanks for all the comments. I knew this would be a challenging building to do and that is why I came here to see what some of the experts think. ;)

First, the reason for the "tilt" is that the road in front is coming uphill. It is also a rather large building. I shot it with my 35-80mm at 35mm, but where I had to shoot across the street was sloping downhill. I may have a solution for part of that since the building I was in front of has a 2-3' sidewalk in front of it.

I hate the power lines and may just see what I can do at night, seb. Thanks for the suggestion. I do have about 3 other different views so I will put them up and we'll see what you all think of them. I will have to investigate further as far as trying to find some different angles to shoot from.

[Chunk]

I think the second, angled, shot in this second post is the strongest. I think the head on shot of the entry might be stronger if you include the complete windows/shutters. These are all hampered by the flat lighting and gray skies. When you make that return visit, pick a brighter day.

[srobb]

Thanks, chunk. Do you think the power lines are as much of a distraction in the 2nd shot? I may just make a couple return trips; 1 to shoot on a brighter day and 1 to shoot at night.

Now to see if I can apply some of what I got here to some of my other shots from other sites.

[Seb]

Thanks for all the comments. I knew this would be a challenging building to do and that is why I came here to see what some of the experts think. ;)

First, the reason for the "tilt" is that the road in front is coming uphill. It is also a rather large building. I shot it with my 35-80mm at 35mm, but where I had to shoot across the street was sloping downhill. I may have a solution for part of that since the building I was in front of has a 2-3' sidewalk in front of it.

I hate the power lines and may just see what I can do at night, seb. Thanks for the suggestion. I do have about 3 other different views so I will put them up and we'll see what you all think of them. I will have to investigate further as far as trying to find some different angles to shoot from.

Interesting stuff,

For the first picture, I would try to put the entrance door of center and I would avoid to cut in the windows.

I like the second picture. The angle is truly interesting. I can't help noticing the the chimney is partly cut off but the picture remain interesting.

As for the third picture, the angle is also interesting but I think that I would partly loose the upper part of the frame. The eagle is very interesting (nice colors and textures). This could make a good subject by itself.

Seb