Lincoln at Dusk

[CLKunst]

I had intended for this to go in the night shots project but it's not really a night scene is it?

Comments & critique welcomed. Suggestions cheerfully explored.

[Coastal Flyer]

CL,

It is as far as I'm concerned. Nice capture. I really like the color of the sky and reflection. Good feel to it.

CF

[mamajan]

Another nice one. I like the sky and the way the colors change from one side to the other. I'll bet there was a nice sunset that night. I also like the way I can see the lights shining on the inside of the monument. It would have been easy to lose that gentle lighting effect if your exposure had been slightly off, but as usual it was right on.
:thumbsup:

[Overbeyond]

Hello Cindy
I think the building should stand out more. The lighting on the building is poor (not your fault) so perhaps a little cheating in an appropriate piece of software might do it the justice it deserves.
I can almost make out people below the building also who would appreciate a little more light.

[starriderrick]

This is a beauty of an evening.Captured.
I can see this two ways.If you wanted the sunset /reflection as the primary "mood" this needs nothing.I would like to see more light at the building also.
If the people were brought out into the light., it would totally change the mood of this capture.
Overbeyond made an interesting point. I'm here to learn.

I would enjoy seeing both versions.Very nice Cindy.
Thankyou.

[MB1]

I'm thinking you should moved further towards the WWll Memorial so Lincoln is completly in the frame between the pillars. As it is you can enough of him to know he is not there.

You could have also waited a tad longer till the sky was just a touch darker then used a longer exposure to balance the light on the monument and the sky.

Alas there are so many pix taken of the monuments that the standards are really set high as to what a good monument photo is. You have all the elements here (great sky, calm reflection pool, not too many people in the shot and a good location) but they don't completly come together in this shot.

[CLKunst]

Many thanks for the good responses so far everyone!

CF - Thanks for commenting! It's always nice to get your input.

MamaJan - Thanks for the kind words. There is plenty of trash to go along with the ones that work but I don't stop shooting till I get what I want.

Tom - I understand what you mean. It was my hope to balance this exposure for the sunset and use the shadows to hide the tourists as I felt they were a distraction. I think you are right though that the building could be brighter. I have attached an edit that I think addresses what you suggested. I always appreciate your careful eyes thanks for ringing in on this one.

Rick - I agree that exposing for the people in the scene would have certainly changed the mood. For this set I didn't care about the people and whether they showed up at all so the choice was easy. Although I did make some small edits to bring better lighting to the building itself I still left the tourists in the dark.

MB1 - I agree with you that framing Lincoln between the columns would have been the ideal but it just wasn't possible for me that evening. I was there with my family (2 small children) and needed to stay close by so they wouldn't loose me. My time was just not my own. This was my best shot at balancing where I had to be with what I could get. I thought using the sunset colors to balance against the memorial was a good compromise. But do you really think there is anyone in the US who doesn't recognize this building even without Abe peeking out through the center? :skep: The postcard shot has it's place but that wasn't what I was going for here. Here is a shot with Abe in the "proper" position only sans reflecting pool. Thanks for your considered critique, I appreciate it.

[swmdrayfan]

Hi Cindy---my,my, these are just gorgeous. I have nothing to add to what others have said.
John

[Frog]

I do like the edit better.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

Print and hang, great job.

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi CL,
I like the colour and the silky reflection on the water. I agree with MB that the composition could be a bit stronger. Thanks for sharing.
yoyo