• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Vatican Sunset

© Michael McCook

Vatican Sunset

Uploaded: June 07, 2003

Comments

Gerda Grice level-classic June 07, 2003

I love the concept of this image, the beautiful sky colours and the way the setting sun seems to create a halo of light around the Christ figure in the middle of the image. I also love the sharpness and clarity of the image. I wonder, though, if you'd consider cropping off the half statues at the extreme right and left of the image. I tried blocking them out by holding sheets of paper up to both sides on my screen, and, to my eye, the image is even more impressive without them. Just a suggestion. #38806

Michael McCook May 26, 2019

Thank You Girda. I took your advice and cropped the image. I agree, it is better. This is actually photoshop magic. I had a rather lack-luster shot of the statues and a really nice sunset shot I took out of an airplane window. Neither was exceptional on their own, but together I think they create great image. #110775

Gerda Grice level-classic May 26, 2019

It was a great idea to put those two images together, Michael, and you're right: they do create a wonderful image together. Incidentally, you put them together so seamlessly that I would never have guessed that the resulting image was a composite if you hadn't told me. I'm very glad that the cropping worked for you. -Gerda #110793

Gordon J. Evans May 26, 2019

Light and dark with the sky create a wonderful sense of drama to the pic... #110979

May 26, 2019

This is a really beautiful photo. I lived in Rome a few years ago and drove past this palazzo quite often. You have really captured that 'Roman' atmosphere, that dusky, energetic, almost raw and electric feel that Rome and il vaticano has. Well done. Also, technically speaking, you have done a superb job as well. Very crisp. Great light. Very magical....and moving. #111258

LJ Corliss level-classic July 07, 2003

Congrats to you :) #136542

Gerda Grice level-classic July 07, 2003

Congrqatulations, Michael, and best of luck in the final round. #136558

Michael McCook July 07, 2003

Thanks everyone for all your kind words and encouragement. #136877

Mary K. Robison July 09, 2003

Gerda's comment above is right - if you hadn't mentioned it, I'm sure most viewers would assume you waited patiently for that Perfect Framing of light around His head...instead, you truly worked some magic with the two photos. Congratulations on your creativity, and good luck in the finals. #138156

Cheryl Meisel July 10, 2003

This is beautiful, almost magical! Congrats! Cheryl #139353

Michael McCook July 13, 2003

Thanks Mary and Cheryl, I really appreciate the comments. #141555

Gabriela Cunha July 14, 2003

congratulations!
gy #142210

Serena Pierce level-classic July 14, 2003

Congratulations Michael! Fantastic work in PS! #142213

Dolores Neilson July 14, 2003

Many congratulations on this powerful image you've created! Enjoy your well deserved first place win! #142254

Evy Johansen level-classic July 14, 2003

Congratulations on your well deserved first place win! Beautiful image, great work! #142440

Connie L. Carpenter July 14, 2003

Fantastic and inspiring... congratulations. #142471

Patrick Campbell July 14, 2003

Great job with your combination of the two images....congrats on the big win! #142504

Gerda Grice level-classic July 15, 2003

I loved this image when I first saw it and I'm really delighted that it was chosen as a first place winner! Congratulations on a well deserved win! #142621

Mette Vendelboe Allison level-classic July 15, 2003

Congratualtions- great work:-) #142630

Michael McCook July 15, 2003

Thanks everyone for the great comments about my photo and the congratulations. I´m really excited about the win....finally. Betterphoto is my favorite site with very strong competition. I feel very fortunate to even get a picture in the finals... to take a first place, however, is really fantastic! #142930

Darren M. Alexander July 15, 2003

A very deserving win! Really outstanding image! Good job!

Kudos! #143238

Monika Sapek July 15, 2003

Many congratulations on your first place win, Michael!
Monika
#143267

Gary W. Lake July 16, 2003

WOW! I missed this one the first time around - what an incredible image! I would have hated to have to choose between this and the Grand Prize winner - that would have been a most difficult decision! #143858

Michael McCook July 17, 2003

Thanks Darren, Monika and Gary for you kind words. #144551

doug Nelson July 21, 2003

Great thing about this image is that is has a strong element of credibility to it. You sort of know that the sun wasn't setting back there, but the lighting on the building and the sunset work together somehow. It must have been a lot of work masking out or erasing the spaces in the balcony rail. Wonderful piece or art, skillfully crafted as well. Congratulations #147275

Michael McCook July 21, 2003

Thanks Doug. I am still fairly new to Photoshop and am teaching myself as I go. I changed the color balance and hue of the building to create a more realistic scene to match the sunset. I actually spent a lot of time erasing around all the statues and balcony rails. I'm sure there is an easier way, but I'm not yet proficient enough to tackle it. #147285

Kathleen R. Struckle August 12, 2003

Michael, Congratulations. Your photograph is very beautiful. Can you just image what heaven must really look like. It just beyond our comprehesion. There is a Christian Song out I can only imagine. When I look at your photoit just intensfies my imagination. Kathy Struckle #164409

Michael McCook August 13, 2003

Thank you Kathy. I appreciate your comment. #164504

Brenda M. Wolfensberger April 17, 2005

Congratulations on this image Michael. I am just seeing it today for the first time and with the recent passing of the Pope it made your photo even more touching. Thank you for sharing it with us and from what I can see... you certainly have a handle on Photoshop. I can't wait to check out your gallery to see the rest of your work. #1263256

Michael McCook April 17, 2005

Thank you very much for your comment on my photo Brenda. I thought it appropiate to re-enter a cropped version of this photo in this months contest. #1263324

Luis Louro May 07, 2005

Great work, great gallery, Michael!!! #1327311

Michael McCook May 09, 2005

Thank you Luis. #1335518

Kate Jackson February 04, 2006

Very belated congratulations on this inspiring image Michael! It just came up on the Contest page and I had to comment! #2375254

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

5

You & 5

Love It!

BetterPhoto.com All Time Best Photo Contest Finalist BetterPhoto.com Photo Contest FIRST PLACE Winner


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Michael McCook.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.