I made a new session of night shots of the theater in Leiden (the Netherlands):
http://www.caedes.net/Zephir.cgi?lib=Caedes::Infopage&image=rob2001-1180820359.jpg
This is the same subject as the previously posted " Fiction and Reality", so far my most successful image on the score.
This time I made several shots with different exposures used the technique of layers/luminance mask to combine four of them to cope with the high light contrast.
I would welcome your critical opinion on whether this is better or worse than the original image posted in my gallery, and (if you are familiar with it) on whether you think I used the technique correctly.
Thanks in advance
Rob

More Fiction and Reality .. new image

Fiction and Reality .. original image


I have never used the technique, so I cannot comment on your execution ...

but ..

The new image is SO MUCH BETTER than the first (IMHO) .. light quality is first rate and much more vibrant .. the composition of the image also makes for a significantly more fascinating view .. it has the look of a Christmas card with the requisite golden twinkles .. the lillypad foreground, and the navy blue evening sky, are unexpected bonuses

Well done .. I'd suggest you add that technique to your bag of tricks

Wow, I agree with Keith, that technique is awesome! I'll have to look up that trick and try it myself, very well done.

the newer one is far better than the first even though it was a fine photograph. it's almost like they're two completely different photos. the depth you've achieved with the lighting is superb.

the newer image is sharper and much more three-dimensional with incredible depth than the original. the newer image also looks so sleek and modern. the white light is quite attractive as is the plants in the water.
I have not used that technique but it looks like it would be really neat to play with!
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to review these images ;=)

I would like to thank everyone for the excellent advice and for the encouraging comments. I now understand better why this image looks better than the one I posted previously and I will try to keep it in mind for future shots.
Rob