Helsinki Cathedral

Good shot - I like including the statue and people to show some context in the community. The verticals aren't quite vertical - a 1 degree rotation to the left (CCW) fixes it.

 

I think the statue would benefit from lightening shadows, but it may prove difficult to gain some detail in the statue without also creating a halo effect around it. Hard to say without the original raw file.

I lightened it up a bit using AuroraHDR2019. It left a slight halo around the statue, which may be due to starting with a low resolution JPEG. AuroraHDR does a good job on overcast skies, adding texture to the clouds while bringing out the foreground.

 

I like these but why is there so little detail in the lady’s face, the face looks smudged.

 

(the lady in red)

Thank you Ludmilla for your comment!

Lady's face is smudged.

I lightened it up a bit using AuroraHDR2019. It left a slight halo around the statue, which may be due to starting with a low resolution JPEG. AuroraHDR does a good job on overcast skies, adding texture to the clouds while bringing out the foreground.

 

Thank you Ed_Ingold for your comment and retouching!

I like those clouds and lifted shadows! Halos are not so nice.

I left the overall light a bit dark side because of grey day. Original photo was darker, I lightened shadows up with masking, sholud lift more...

Good shot - I like including the statue and people to show some context in the community. The verticals aren't quite vertical - a 1 degree rotation to the left (CCW) fixes it.

 

I think the statue would benefit from lightening shadows, but it may prove difficult to gain some detail in the statue without also creating a halo effect around it. Hard to say without the original raw file.

 

Thank you bob_floodl1 for your comment!

I tried to align according those stairs, didn't quite manage...

Lifting lightening of those shadows by masking would make it nicer...

I like the photo. It gives a good sense of place, and the red jacket was a real plus. I used to carry a lightweight red raincoat I could plant on one of me fellow travelers for that purpose. We have no control over weather when we travel, but there are techniques which can make the best of the situation. Overcast was particularly troublesom with reversal film. Before auto-white-balance, the colors took on a strong cyan cast, thanks to using daylight film at 7600+ K.

I’m curious, did you smudge the lady’s face intentionally in post?

Yes.

Yes.

Witness protection program?

Witness protection program?

Yep, something like that! I did not ask permission to publish a photo, where she is in...