I decided to check out these forums, especially in a search for some criticism. Hallgrimskirkja is the biggest church in Iceland and one the landmarks in Reykjavik. I decided to try out a few new angles both on the outside and inside but I'm not really sure whether I like it or not.
Welcome Daniel!
For what its worth, I'll share my thoughts. But I'd encourage you to post these on the BW Forum as well.
All show a good eye, nice work with geometies and symmetries (which I personally enjoy), and seem well-suited for BW treatment.
1. I think this could work better with a different crop. As is, sky has no interest, and I think you could add a sense of motion by cropping about half of the sky above the "pointy tail thing (couldnt think of a name, Then I'd crop a block and half from the right. To me, you'd suggest movement; I am reminded of a whale.
2.Good geometric play. Lighting is effective. Wall in the back doesnt do much for me and I feel the image needs a bt more focal point. Perhaps a square crop, taking space from the top?
3.Nice capture, symmetry. Needs more contrast and could be sharper. Nitpicky suggestion: crop just below the dark arches on top. They distract a bit and the extra arches dont add much. And you will nearly mirror the triangle at the bottom.
I like 2nd best. But it has some odd lighting. I think the picture needs more texture that would come from side lighting on the beams behind. Maybe a different time of day would improve.
I agree with sbeme on first - a little less sky and maybe some more base would improve.
Welcome to FM. Iceland is such a unique place, and It's been on my list of places to visit for a long time. I think you did an excellent job capturing these photographs, and I wanted to especially say I like the first of your three shots the best. There's something about the contrast between the shadows and the tilted stones and the gritty noise in the sky that makes it really enjoyable to look at.
Thanks... I will consider your opinions on the crop, but in the first one I kind of like how it's pointing right at the corner. The texture in this building is difficult to capture, to me it always feels like it's a bit blurry. It's supposed to represent columnar basalt and in the second photo I really wanted to focus on that, explore that natural form which is so significant in Icelandic nature.
Don't be afraid to give some more comments... or ideas for architectural photography.
