First attempt at a night shot.

[MN Shutterbug]

Ever since they tore down the old school across the street, we can look out the window and see this Catholic church every night. It's practically my wife's 2nd home. I've always thought it was kind of pretty and have considered shooting it for quite some time.

Birdsong took a photo of it quite some time ago, but had something supernatural happening in her shot. I don't recall exactly what it was, but it was eerie. I can't even find her post anymore. I think it mysteriously disappeared. I believe the full moon last night helped protect me.

This was actually kinda fun.

This was shot at ISO 400 - 3.2 sec. at f10. I used spot metering with plus 2/3 E.C.

[dockothebay]

That's a beautiful shot! I remember Birdsong's post too. Looks like you could put a little red ribbon around it and be on your way to a Christmas card

[eyeguy 54]

Dandy!!

[mojo54]

That's a beaut. Thanks for posting the specs.

[upnorth]

Plain and simple a very nice shot.

[fishinchicks]

Nice!

I have always liked the architecture of that church. The place is huge! If you look to the lower left in the photo, you can see the little Episcopalian church that sits on the other corner.

[Matt Breuer]

Seems to be a lot of those older beautiful churches down there. Reminds me of St. Adrian's in Adrian, MN. Great shot!

[fishinchicks]

Seems to be a lot of those older beautiful churches down there. Reminds me of St. Adrian's in Adrian, MN. Great shot!

I was just in Adrian last week, and I would have to agree. There are also some really nice old homes along the main drag that are well kept, and would make good Christmas card photos with a little snow on the ground.

[ricerdude69]

love the shadows in the steeple, really cool image

[Matt Breuer]

fishinchicks, I agree! There's actually a print made of a winter scene of St. Adrian's. I believe there's a deer in it, as well as a rooster? Love those old steeples!

[Ufatz]

That, my friend, is a NICE image. Thanks.

[Dbl]

Nice work X, I like this shot. Try doing that same shot but change your WB to tungstun and see what you think! Just a different look you may like...or not. Glad to see you branching out!

[mmeyer]

Very nice Mike! I also like to see you broadening your photographic horizons.

[MN Shutterbug]

Try doing that same shot but change your WB to tungstun and see what you think! Just a different look you may like...or not.

After I took the shots, I was wishing I had shot them in Raw, so I could have played with the WB in PP. Some evening, when it's a bit warmer out, I'll do some more playing. I spent so much time making a couple signs, a fire hydrant and some orange construction cones "disappear". that I've had enough of church for awhile.

Thanks all, for the comments.

[The Darth Baiter]

not bad, i second dbl's post. changing the white balance to something such as tungstun or even sodium-vapor can dramatically change a photo.

[Birdsong]

[quote name='X-tackleman I spent so much time making a couple signs' date=' a fire hydrant and some orange construction cones "disappear". that I've had enough of church for awhile.

[/quote']

I had signs appearing and yours disappear. Hmmmmm. Still something eerie going on. I have always wanted to go back during one of those wonderful post/dusk blue lights. Nice job.

[MN Shutterbug]

I'm thinking now, that dusk might be a better time. There was too much contrast in this shot. I'm not sure if earlier would help or not. I guess there is just one way to find out.

[Dbl]

Having a bit of color in the sky makes for a much nicer shot IMHO, especially with a single building. I see you have a hot pixel or two as well.

[MN Shutterbug]

Yep. I really didn't want a solid black sky, but I didn't really want to blow the highlights either. Next time I'll shoot RAW and see if that helps.

[Dbl]

Shooting RAW would not matter here. What I meant by color in the sky is that you shoot earlier, when there is some light left in the sky, dusk, sunset, twilight as Birdsong mentioned. Though I was able to pull some blue out of the sky in your shot.

[MN Shutterbug]

I was just thinking that shooting in RAW might allow me a stop or 2 more latitude. Actually, due to the full moon, there was a hint of color in the sky, but I had to choose between the sky or the bright areas lit up by the lights. Is there any better settings I could have used to keep detail in the highlights and not burn the sky, other than shooting at a better time?

[Dbl]

Yes RAW will give you a bit more latitude. But you could do either of these two. Take two shots, one for the sky and one for the subject. Combine the two in Elements and mask out either the sky or foreground.

Or just duplicate your background layer and change its blend mode to screen. Adjust your opacity of that layer to your taste.

Please don't get me wrong X, I like your shot. Just giving you some ideas you might want to try next time out

[MN Shutterbug]

Please don't get me wrong X, I like your shot. Just giving you some ideas you might want to try next time out

As long as you don't critique my birds, you're cool.

Seriously, this is something totally new to me so I welcome your advice. Thanks. I do appreciate it.

[Catmendo]

Good job X!

[mcary]

Awfully impressive for a first attempt!