Roma Ruins

Taken while I was in holidays. I used a red filter to darken the sky.

Nice composition and printing. I would not have been surprised if this said Photoshop, it has a clean and ordered look to it. I like the low contrast---was there alot of darkroom work done in order to print this? One thing that bothers me about the composition: the trunk of the left tree disappears behind the pillar. Small, but I would have preffered to see the trunk. The tree is also cut off which is minor to some but major to others. Thanks for posting.

I like the lines, texture and shadow on the columns. Not so keen on the left tree as Martin pointed out. I think the issue with the tree is accentuated to a degree by the lines in the picture converging to the left which draws attention away from the main subject (the column).

I would have taken a step left to bring the column away from the tree (but not covering the one in the middle), and shot from lower down to raise the top of the column above the hill on the horizon.

Basically what s wan said, the cut off tree growing out of the column. I too would have taken a small step to the left to place the tree between the first and second column, this would still show the row of columns you arranged so nicely. The whole pic could use a little bit more 'snap' butI know that HP5 gets mushy when scanned (assuming you scanned the neg).

Aside from the tree growing out of the column, this is a picture, I would humbly suggest, needs Photoshop, or any decent editing program. It could be a much more striking image with some adjustment of its "levels", as it seems to me it hasn't got adequate deep blacks or highlights.

 

Then I would use some filters and start to play around in Photoshop to bring out edges. But lets start with just modifiying the levels (see attached). What do you think, all?

 

 

I would echo most of the comments by previous posters. This picture needs more snap. Glenn's attempt is in the right direction. I wonder if taking a step forward and to the left to make the first pillar look even more prominent, while keeping its top below the sky level, would have created more impact.

I adjusted the contrast, curves, and sharpened it in PS to give it a little punch.

Agree that the higher contrast renditions have more instant appeal, but somewhat ambivilant whether it's wort the loss of subtelness. Without having been there, or actually viewing the result, I don't want to prejudge whether a step to the left would have improved composition. suspect it might have resulted in a distracting busyness to have the rest of the trunk as an additional element?