Hello to all. This is one of my favorite places in the world to photograph. Lately I've been trying some effects. Please give me some advise. Thanks to all and a Happy Holiday season to all.

Hi Violetblue
I enjoy these kinds of images. Great patterns. In the first, I especially like the near grays against the soft brown toned sections.
I think when you take on such symmetries, your positioning/cropping has to be just so. First looks like it could use a slight clockwise rotation and a bit off the left. I wish the rising colums were a bit sharper and might selectively bump the sharpness aggressiively. Be interesting to have your EXIF. Looks like you could have used more DOF. Did you use a tripod?
Second is quite nice as well. Again, I'd look carefully at the lines to see if some rotation clockwise and some cropping (from the bottom) would even things out. There may be a bit of lens distortion worth correcting in PS. Colors are quite nice and sharpness seems less of an issue in this one. Again, EXIF?

Scott

Thanks,
I would agree with straightening. I didn't use a tripod on the first but did on the second, found out later that a tripod is forbidden to use. The placement of the tripod on the second one was not my first choice but that the only place I could take the picture. I'll include the EXIF on future post.

Thanks for the comments.

BTW, Where is this?

You might like the Duke Chapel shot here:

http://goetzphotoz.smugmug.com/gallery/4854472_j9d3m/1/294919473_aSSVh

Scott

First one is better but the exposure has caused lack of detail. This is a good candidate for HDR. 3 shots autobracketed on aperature using photomatix would make this stand out. Composition is good.

2nd for me is off kilter but even more it would be much much better with right hand side at the bottom. For me the strongest feature should anchor the subject.

Great spot. Scott

Thanks to all.
I took these inside the Dom of Koln, Germany.