from the top

Hey Marc. I noticed right away that in the original image the top, left and bottom straight lines of the staircase are all in 90 degree relationships with each other, and only the left is out, as Kristina indicated. In yourimage the top right and left sides are 90 degrees to each other but the stair trends are out. Neither are theyparallel with each other, or with the bottom edge of the frame. This last fact is the only thing I might wonderabout, were I a First Time Observer of the image and not a Long Time Dissector.

But as the LTD, I think Iwould leave it Un-Transformed and instead, de-emphasize the balustrades on the right, the top stair tread and thebottom tread with some burning (Layer>Multiply>Auto Mask> Brush Tool as needed) . Another layer to provide slightdesaturation of the balustrades and first stair tread, and then brighten the girls just alittle with the same steps as the Multiply layer, but this time using a Screen layer dialed back. Overall, thislets theslanted right side contribute to the leftleaning composition and grants the perfect light (that the architect knew full well would be there) do it'sthing, striking the guy in black first, and then spread beautifully on the ballerinas behind him, directlycontrary to the lines of arms and legs in the composition. He makes theperfect gobo for the girls on the right, keeping them in easy tonal range of the more shaded girls on the left.

I just love the mix of blue window and warm tungsten, especially distributed as it is (blue on the white tutuand warm on the faces and legs). It reallywas such a perfect moment, what a gift... t

oops, correction:

"and only the left is out, as Kristina indicated." should read "and only the right is out, as Kristina indicated". Sorry, even if no one cares now that it is no longer the current PO the W... t

I haven't noticed, Marc, that you have already "corrected" the right balustrade. It looks too fine and wrong somehow. The askewed distortion gives the dynamics to whole composition. For me it also brings some sense of soundness and safeness. Because it's about enclosing.

 

Thanks Tom! Speaking from my angle of view, it's a right side. What is correctly, anyway? When we talk about photos and their sides. Should we talk from their angle or from our own as observers?

(It's nice to talk to you again! ... Where were you?)

My (very amateur!) two cents: I felt DIZZY at first looking at this pic. I'm very partial to anything related to ballet... and I like this pic Very much.

 

Perhaps it was the circular aspect: circular tutu's, circular composition and from above (altitude sickenss?)...

 

Not that there's anything Wrong with that - just telling you of my first impression.

bravo!

i agree with the cropping on the right, it should be a little tighter.

but over-all, very well done

its interesting at first but it doesn't grab your attention as much as it could.. but i still really like it

Dear Marco,

Congratulations for prize...

What a beautiful moment, captured so well in an image that is unforgettable!

How did you get that many girls to sit in one spot long enough to capture that? There is much I could learn from you. :)