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Marc-Olivier Jodoin's picture

Majestic

I recently bought a UWA lense (Sigma 8-16mm) in order to fulfill my desire to take this picture

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8 Comments

I love the lighting, color and sense of depth. "Majesty" is a great title for the image. Obviously, you didn't want an image with vertical verticals (otherwise you wouldn't have used an ultra-wide lens and shot from floor level). I just wonder what this same space would look like with vertical verticals and maybe a narrower crop. Would it lose the impact -- the majesty -- that this photo has? Would it lose the wonderfully vaulted ceiling? I ask because I tend to default to vertical verticals unless I'm trying to turn a piece of architecture into an abstraction. Maybe that's because I'm too rule-bound. I'll bet a structure this beautiful has been photographed many times from more routine angles, but a less-common angle such as yours creates a spectacular perspective. What's the name of this structure?

Hey John, thanks for the interesting comment! The structure is the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa, Canada. I took a look online for the same location with vertical verticals and it keeps the ceiling and the impressive look. But, I personnally prefer to use the lenses distortion (especially when shoot from low) to create a totally different perspective of location that, as you said, has been photographed many times. I also think that non-vertical verticals provide a better sense of majesty than basic verticals. Thanks again John

I'm not sure about the lighting and the shadows. I like the angle of view and the one point perspective but I miss the clear focal point.

Beautiful picture!
I'm looking for a lens to take similar pictures in my upcoming trip to Europe, specially in the Vatican.
I'm between the Sony 12-24, Sony 16-35 or the Rokinon 14mm... Do you think the 12mm in the Sony 12-24 will be overkill?

I'm curently using the Sigma 8-16mm which is the equivalent of a 12-24mm. I would really go with the Sony 12-24, as it covers 14mm. If you also want to do street photography, I would then suggest the 16-35mm (16 is excellent for architecture while 35 is perfect for street). You can also rent them instead of buying :) Hope that helps

Thanks!!!

You had a beautiful structure. To me a wide angle lens is not fair to it. I would have used a 50 mm or higher and taken several shots and stitched them all together. To me this is a snapshot any tourist might take. Sorry if I am too honest but I make my living photographing and I am giving you constructive criticism. Try going back with a different lens and shoot 20 shots using a tripod and combining them.

I don't think any tourists would get that low and work with symmetry that much. Most people would also use a longer focal length, that's why I used a wide angle, to show a different perspective. I was also limited in time for this shot.

I would like to see some of your work too, if you don't mind sending me a link.

Thanks.

Here's more: instagram.com/marcolivierjodoin