Eilean Donnan Castle at Sunset

[stuinperth]

This is the famous castle from Highlander, Eilean Donnan Castle at sunset.
This is one of many I took on my recent holiday in Ratagan.




www.stuartblancephotography.com

[darr]

Very beautiful!
What camera + lens?

[wolfnowl]

My first impression was that it's a very nice shot.  On a second look, I'd like to apply some distortion correction unless the walls of the castle really lean out like that.

Mike.

[stuinperth]

5D MKII with 17-40 L
think its optical illusion as wall is straight

[Dick Roadnight]

My first impression was that it's a very nice shot.  On a second look, I'd like to apply some distortion correction unless the walls of the castle really lean out like that.

Mike.

The walls are straight, and I assume no correction was necessary as the lens was horizontal.

... buildings with "corrected" verticals do, to me, sometimes seem wider at the top... to the extent that I think that it may be better not to fully correct?

[Rob C]

... buildings with "corrected" verticals do, to me, sometimes seem wider at the top... to the extent that I think that it may be better not to fully correct?

Absolutely; this is a well-known technique that users of PC lenses sometimes forget...

Rob C

[Rob C]

Hi

On the assumption that you really do seek feedback, I'd say that for me, the overall feeling is far too light for contra-jour; I would tone down the castle quite a bit and closer to silhouette, but just not quite that far; some detail is cool, but I think you are holding on to too much of it. Natural looks better, I think.

;-)

Rob C

[Jeremy Roussak]

Hi

On the assumption that you really do seek feedback, I'd say that for me, the overall feeling is far too light for contra-jour; I would tone down the castle quite a bit and closer to silhouette, but just not quite that far; some detail is cool, but I think you are holding on to too much of it. Natural looks better, I think.

;-)

Rob C

I had the same thought. I wondered if you'd used an HDR technique but it doesn't look sufficiently unnatural for that. Good composition, though.

Jeremy

[stuinperth]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I have since gone back into photoshop to check verticals, all spot on, will have a look at my processing and see if I can make more natural.
no not hdr this was single exposure and did layers adjustments, levels, contrast, vibrance(minor) and colour balance, then used a little dodge and burn

[feppe]

Gorgeous shot, but agree that the castle looks a unnaturally bright.

The walls are straight, and I assume no correction ws necessary as the lens was horizontal.

... buildings with "corrected" verticals do, to me, sometimes seem wider at the top... to the extent that I think that it may be better not to fully correct?

I always thought they look weird as well, but kept my mouth shut as the arch guys must know what they're doing since they actually get paid to shoot buildings. But what you and Rob say confirms I'm not entirely crazy...

[stuinperth]

heres a new edit of it as per suggestions, minor edit only

[Ian99]

This is a wonderful place and it is somewhat refreshing to see it shot from this side.
I, and millions of others, chose the other side (by the Community Centre across the road bridge). I shot it from all angles and prefer the classic location, but YMMV.
Would you like to discuss the reason why you chose this view??
The other one needs a long lens, but apart from that offers several advantages.

[Dick Roadnight]

Would you like to discuss the reason why you chose this view??

Perhaps hey wanted to get the sunset in the background?

Maybe some day we will have an iPad app to move the sun round the sky!

[Rob C]

Perhaps hey wanted to get the sunset in the background?

Maybe some day we will have an iPad app to move the sun round the sky!

Or even to create new locations!

Rob C

[stuinperth]

lol
The main reason for taking this view is that it is my favourite view of the castle at whatever time of day or night.
the obvious answer has been answered for me.
next time I am there I will go across bridge and look at view from there and see what I think.

heres one I took later one evening whilst tide was low

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Hi,

I had a drive past that exact spot a couple of months ago, the weather was absolutely terrible, but I decided to take a few shots anyway, but this was about the best I could do under the circumstances, to get a quick pano standing under an umbrella with my wife trying to hold on to it in the high wind and rain - I definitely intend to go back though, even if it is a 1,000 mile round trip from where I live.

Photobloke 

[Mark Anderson]

Photobloke,

Who is it who said, "As the weather gets bad, the photography gets better?" True, I think.

It's a pleasing photo, but without your explanation I wouldn't have realized the weather was bad, the photo doesn't speak to me that way.

[Chairman Bill]

Eilena Donnan looks quite nice even when the weather is pretty good. And before anyone suggests that I've doctored the sky, two minutes previously it was raining, and five minutes after taking it it was raining. So normal Scottish weather service was maintained apart from this short break