Two church threads today??? Great minds think alike

[KHarmon]

I have been wanting to take pictures of this church for awhile...finally made it out this evening.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Copperas Cove, Texas.


church3 by KHarmon1971, on Flickr

In the year 1891, the first pioneer Lutheran families settled the area northwest of Copperas Cove, Texas, then a small town on the Santa Fe railroad built in 1882.

These settlers of German and Wendish descent farmed and ranched the area surrounding the present church site, and began having public worship services in homes. They officially formed Immanuel Lutheran Church and erected the first church building on land donated by church members in 1895. A cemetery was begun on the property as well, with the first interment in 1895

[Donald]

You got it at the right time of day. The light on it is super.

I think it needs some perspective correction. The left hand side (as we look at it) seems just about okay, but the right hand edge and the spire are distinctly leaning inwards. And ...... you might want to have a look at Frank's (FrnakMi) Project 52 thread and his examples of cloning out distractions around and over buildings. That would help you consider cloning out that pole and the bits on it that are the right hand side of the frame.

[KHarmon]

I cloned out the telephone pole to the right....used the straighten tool but not sure that it accomplished the desired effect.


church clone by KHarmon1971, on Flickr

KHarmon

[Donald]

I'm not sure you would want to do any more correction. It's not straight, but if you start playing around, the distortion correction could start mucking around with the proportions of the building.

As soon as I saw this I thought of Ansel Adams' Church and Road. Two completely different images of course, but a building of very, very similar design.

I also think the angle of view for this shot works extremely well. Notwithstanding that tree might have forced the issue a bit in restricting how much farther left you could have stood, I think this angle of view is perfect for the building. And as I wrote above, that sunlight hitting the side just works wonderfully.

[KHarmon]

I'm not sure you would want to do any more correction. It's not straight, but if you start playing around the distortion correction could start mucking around with the proportions of the building.

As soon as I saw this I thought of Ansel Adams' Church and Road. Two completely different images of course, but a building of very, very similar design.

I also think the angle of view for this shot works extremely well. Notwithstanding that tree might have forced the issue a bit in restricting how much farther left you could have stood, I think this angle of view is perfect for the building. And as I wrote above, that sunlight hitting the side just works wonderfully.

Thank you Donald. The tree and also another building just to the left of where I was standing really limited the angle. The cross on the right side sits on the side of the hill behind the church. There is actually seats cut into the side of the hill and they hold their Easter services there. The cross is lit at night and I would love to get a picture of the church at night with the cross lit up behind it but that light on the pole that I cloned out may make that shot difficult if not impossible.

KHarmon

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kris,

Well, I commented on the other church thread, so I'd better for you too

On this; given there is some convergence of verticals that I agree with Donald, it would be unwise to mess with too much, it is tricky to decide what should be vertical. For me, I'd go by the two apex's of the gothic windows on the tower.

Definitely better without the power pole and transformer, but we're still left with the perplexing cross, which seems to be on the hillside. I guess if it is, and it is a local 'defining landmark', it should stay.

Very nice exposure.

Cheers,

[KHarmon]

Thanks Dave,

The cross is definitely a local landmark. It is lit up at night. Here's a little excerpt from the history of the church that I found online.

In 1939, the large white rock cross was constructed on the hill behind the church. This cross is illuminated at night and has for many years been regarded as a landmark in the area. Seating has been carved into the hillside in the arms of the cross, and this is where annual Easter sunrise services are held.

Hi Kris,

Well, I commented on the other church thread, so I'd better for you too

On this; given there is some convergence of verticals that I agree with Donald, it would be unwise to mess with too much, it is tricky to decide what should be vertical. For me, I'd go by the two apex's of the gothic windows on the tower.

Definitely better without the power pole and transformer, but we're still left with the perplexing cross, which seems to be on the hillside. I guess if it is, and it is a local 'defining landmark', it should stay.

Very nice exposure.

Cheers,

[Mike Buckley]

It's so nice to see the low light that is also soft, not harsh. Great job also on reworking the image.

Thanks also for taking the time to share the details about the history of the church. Very interesting!

I would like to see more space between the hillside cross and the church, which will be possible only if you move to the right. So, I wonder if you could make the image work at the time of day when the light is coming from the opposite side. Naturally, I have no idea about other objects that might be in the way from that angle.

[KHarmon]

I am thinking of getting a print of this done. Based on what you see here, what size do you think the max would be?

KHarmon

[KHarmon]

Lost track of this thread for a while. Still wondering what you guys would recommend as far as a print size for this picture? Would I be safe by going 16x20 on this picture?

KHarmon