Shrine Of The Black Virgin (help Being Requested)

[Norman 1928 - 2018]

Many Years ago I shot a selection of slides on Kodachrome 25 using a Nikormat EL and either a 28mm or a 135 mm lens in Lyon. Amongst the collection is a slide taken in the chapel of the shrine to the black Virgin which was badly exposed and which I have tended to ignore. However, I decided to see if anything could be salvaged and herewith are the results, stage by stage.

The slide was scanned using a Nikon Cool Scan lV and VueScan Professional and saved as a TIFF file.



The image was opened in Adobe Camera Raw, the exposure slider moved until detail appeared in the lower half of the image, the black and white points adjusted highlights dealt with and the image transferred to Photoshop. The slight blue cast was removed and the monochrome conversion was made using Silver Efex Pro, filter #0005.



I decided on a square crop and after some burning and dodging etc I have arrived at this image.



I have the feeling that this image can be improved to produce an air of tranquility but I am stuck and how this could be achieved and I would welcome your constructive suggestions, please.

Norman

 

[Keith Haithwaite]

What you have achieved here from such a badly exposed slide is nothing short of amazing Norman, very well done indeed! I'm not sure how to introduce an air of tranquility though, I suppose you need to gently convey the eye down to focus at the altar so I perhaps a carefully controlled vignette and some softness graded from back to front might help. I would try experimenting and see what you come up with Norman.

 

[Digital Finger]

Norman I echo Keith's comments - it's amazing what you have pulled from this.
I don't like the cropped version, neither for the composition nor the increase in contrast
To my mind to achieve the tranquil vibe you need the foreground flagstones, just as they are in the full mono pic.I would then try to regain the vibe of the colour original: it is nicely exposed for the highlights (not too bright, the well exposed parts of the walls have the right amount of shadow to give a peaceful feel ands does the darkness lend to this


So I think to get the feeling you want you need a level of contrast that goes with it, i.e. not harsh, soft but deep. If you think about what light would make you feel tranquil I expect it would be subdued lighting, not harsh, so really just lifting the shadows without changing the rest is probably the way to go as you do have it seems, detail available in those very dark shadows.
I love the light AS IS (in colour version) on the left wall and on the people. I would try to retain that (or mimic it) in mono.I love the light on the flagstone in the mono version, but only the flagstones, not the alley up the middle, thats too bright

I have had a very quick go to see if I can get it anywhere near what I think feels tranquil- Does this help at all?(oops I tried straightening it too - need trimming a bit at the edges I see )

 

[Norman 1928 - 2018]

Thank you for your comments, Keith and I think I see what you mean about introducing some softness, I'll have a play and see what turns up.

Wow, Simon, that is a really useful piece of constructive criticism and it suggests an entirely new way for me to use my imagination, thank you very much indeed. So it's back to the Drawing board (Wacom), relax and start again.
Norman

 

[Digital Finger]

Wow, Simon, that is a really useful piece of constructive criticism and it suggests an entirely new way for me to use my imagination, thank you very much indeed. So it's back to the Drawing board (Wacom), relax and start again.
Norman

NB that if you use the mono sliders in photoshop you can affect the tones on the walls and centrepiece easily and quite specifically

 

[Norman 1928 - 2018]

I think what I will try is to make a mono version of the original and then combine the best of that with the version I already have. I agree that a bit of straightening and trimming is necessary. Thanks again fort taking an interest, Simon, this is by far the best way to learn.

Norman