San Xavier Mission #1

Never before have I thought matting effect might be a desirable tool in this on-line context, but suddenly here is an instance that makes me think differently. I wonder if "matting" might not resolve the discrepancy between this image's composition as it shows itself in the thumbnail image--very, very nice--and that seemingly uncomposed murkiness as the image appears in the larger display format. I am somewhat bewildered by this observation.

San Xavier meets Shroud of Turrin? ;^) Interesting effect.

No special effects. This is a straight positive, coming directly with no manipulations (except minor contrast adjustment) from the negative (which used a hand-coated emulsion and a non-standard lens). I think I like the extreme "murkiness", but I'm still trying to decide.