Adrian Binney, EPSA, LRPS
July 2026 - Cagliari Cathedral Crypt
Original
About the Image(s)
Cagliari is a very old city on the island of Sardinia (part of Italy) - Roman ruins here and there. The Cathedral and Crypt is from 17th Century. We were there in May 2024 and was amazed by the Crypt which is large with a number of chapels - this is one. Photography was a bit challenging with fellow tourists everywhere, so I found it better to use my phone to quickly take shots at the right time.
Anyway, this was PP'd in Lightroom
14 comments posted
This is a really nice monochrome image! You can't ask for more lines. I prefer the monochrome rendering rather than the color image because it forces me to concentrate on the image. A really good capture under difficult situation. Posted: 07/05/2026 21:45:31
Thanks Bob. Posted: 07/08/2026 20:36:10
Adrian, what a great architectural feat to photograph. All the lines and arches leading into the altar, the main subject of the image. I know how difficult it is to get a shot like this with all the tourists but you have done a good job and from a great perspective. I, personally, go back and forth as to whether it is too busy with too much going on. I wonder if it was cropped a bit more and/or a bit of contrast to the ceiling...I don't know. Probably just me. Posted: 07/07/2026 22:39:27
Thanks Mary Ann - I will look at what tweaking the ceiling does - it may funnel the eye towards the altar, which would be helpful. Posted: 07/08/2026 20:38:12
Maybe try it with a little bit of a dark vignette around the borders? Posted: 07/08/2026 20:53:13
Bob - see new version. Posted: 07/09/2026 11:37:56
Mary - After thinking more over your comments above, I've concluded that the scene suffers from being "over-the-top"! So I have here cropped some of roof out and reduced the highlights of what's left - plus lightened a tad the back wall - to help take the eye to the alter.
Thoughts? Thanks! Posted: 07/09/2026 11:37:19
Thoughts? Thanks! Posted: 07/09/2026 11:37:19
Adrian, yes, I like this edit. My eye goes right to the focus point and then I look around at all the surrounding detail. Nice! Posted: 07/09/2026 17:02:58
Great - thanks for the pointers. Posted: 07/09/2026 17:19:37
Hi Adrian. This has to be one of the most difficult image you will ever have to shoot and nearly impossible to get correct in one shot. You don't say if this was phone or camera, but your phone would have more chance than the camera as there must be 10 to 15 stops of range in one image.
Say that what you have court is a very good effort and does show off the building well. Fabulous design, but they do like to stick windows in the most awkward places for us photographers. I do think you may have over push your first process and under pushed your second attempted.
So I took your colour image, ran it through topaz just to enhance a touch. Then Silver Efex 9 - with just a small tweak on brightness and sharpness, then added a small touch of Clearview. Sorry cannot do anything about windows. Posted: 07/15/2026 09:23:29
Say that what you have court is a very good effort and does show off the building well. Fabulous design, but they do like to stick windows in the most awkward places for us photographers. I do think you may have over push your first process and under pushed your second attempted.
So I took your colour image, ran it through topaz just to enhance a touch. Then Silver Efex 9 - with just a small tweak on brightness and sharpness, then added a small touch of Clearview. Sorry cannot do anything about windows. Posted: 07/15/2026 09:23:29
p.s. this place needs four to five steps shots on a tripod and you still may not capture it. Great effort by the way. P. Posted: 07/15/2026 09:25:17
Many thanks Paul! It was an iPhone image.
But your quick edit has showed me what the scene should look like - more tonal depth which brings out better such that more detail is seen within every little area. I will try to replicate this concept using the tools I have access to (which includes Topaz) Posted: 07/15/2026 16:51:23
But your quick edit has showed me what the scene should look like - more tonal depth which brings out better such that more detail is seen within every little area. I will try to replicate this concept using the tools I have access to (which includes Topaz) Posted: 07/15/2026 16:51:23
I really like such images.
Difficult to take such images for some reasons, namely:
- tourists: you can have chance or has to be patient
- symmetry: if it is not quite "perfect" at the time of shooting, it is almost impossible to correct it. I look the original, and you did a great job.
- lack of time: you may need different pictures or tries.
With your phone, you succeeded to have a really good one.
I also really like the proposition of Paul.
Posted: 07/15/2026 14:39:47
Difficult to take such images for some reasons, namely:
- tourists: you can have chance or has to be patient
- symmetry: if it is not quite "perfect" at the time of shooting, it is almost impossible to correct it. I look the original, and you did a great job.
- lack of time: you may need different pictures or tries.
With your phone, you succeeded to have a really good one.
I also really like the proposition of Paul.
Posted: 07/15/2026 14:39:47
Leading lines...in all directions! Your focus is crisp and clear. You have made a very complex image into something very interesting...and all with a phone camera! Well done Posted: 07/15/2026 15:54:23