'Cincinnati Skyline 2018': A 150-foot observation wheel, the SkyStar wheel is likely the biggest change Cincinnati's skyline has seen since Great American Tower was built, but it is...

Dave Chinn

A 150-foot observation wheel, the SkyStar wheel is likely the biggest change Cincinnati's skyline has seen since Great American Tower was built, but it is only temporary. Operating from Aug.
31 to Dec. 2, 2018.

The bridge is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, originally known as the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge spans the Ohio River between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky.

When opened on December 1, 1866, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet main span.

Since the ferris wheel is temporary, I felt the need to capture this image before it was too late. Any thoughts for improvements would be appreciated.
Dave

'Cincinnati Skyline'
'Cincinnati Skyline'...

(Download)

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I enjoy experimenting with cropping. So for what its worth, these are just observations. I felt the photo was listing to the left a slight bit, and the second crop anchors the presence of the bridge somewhat. As an afterthought I knocked down the shadows a little. For a skyline, the crop is like cutting off someones head in a group shot, I know. It was fun to experiment on.

original

tilt

crop

shadows

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I love the pops of color and the strong architecture of the bridge. Terrific reflections! Usually I notice small tilts; this one I still can't quite see. The shadow adjustment fergmark made would be to personal taste as the original in download, in a low lit room like I am now, is very engaging.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Linda From Maine wrote:

I love the pops of color and the strong architecture of the bridge. Terrific reflections! Usually I notice small tilts; this one I still can't quite see. The shadow adjustment fergmark made would be to personal taste as the original in download, in a low lit room like I am now, is very engaging.

I tend to forget that my monitors brightness is at about half mast.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

fergmark wrote:

I tend to forget that my monitors brightness is at about half mast.

And mine is +++

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Dave Chinn wrote:

A 150-foot observation wheel, the SkyStar wheel is... (show quote)

Very good capture Dave. I wouldn't mess with it at all.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Excellent, dave, and I don’t see the tilt, either, though it may be there. The brightness is just right on my monitor, and I like the contrast represented by the staid old bridge and the neon of the sign and the ferris wheel.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

You’ve done what you intended, and it's a fine photo.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I used verticals near the centre to correct the tilt and tweaked the perspective to make the convergence more consistent. I always feel that night skylines respond well to increased starkness so I ramped up the contrast, clarity, vibrance and sharpness and tweaked the light levels. I think too many people stop too soon because they think they're overdoing it. To my mind night skylines are ideal candidates for being overdone. Perhaps this is more extreme than you prefer.

I also selected the sky and brought it closer to black, stopping short of killing the haze/glow round the skyscraper lights.

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kenievans Loc: Dallas

What am I missing? I have gone back and forth several times and I don’t see any difference between the original and RG’s treatment except the slight tilt correction and a little more color in the water. Is it my monitor or a skill I need to develop?

R.G. Loc: Scotland

kenievans wrote:

What am I missing? I have gone back and forth several times and I don’t see any difference between the original and RG’s treatment except the slight tilt correction and a little more color in the water. Is it my monitor or a skill I need to develop?

The original is noticeably softer and has less contrast. My edit has brighter highlights and darker blacks, the colours are stronger and it's sharper. You should set up your monitor to be as neutral as possible. You can get stuff online to set up your monitor optimally.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

The tilt can be seen in the bridge buttress and the waterline, however correcting makes the left centre building look as if it’s leaning right. RG has attempted to straighten it all up and made a pretty good, but not perfect, job of it. Personally, I’d probably leave it as is. It’s a very nice shot Dave.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

R.G. wrote:

The original is noticeably softer and has less contrast. My edit has brighter highlights and darker blacks, the colours are stronger and it's sharper. You should set up your monitor to be as neutral as possible. You can get stuff online to set up your monitor optimally.

Thank you RG. Dave posted a beautiful shot.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Dave Chinn wrote:

A 150-foot observation wheel, the SkyStar wheel is... (show quote)

I love the shot as is. I’m glad you captured the Ferris wheel before it is dismantled. I think it adds greatly to the overall composition and provides a nice touch of color. The bridge looks eerily like the Brooklyn Bridge, which is no surprise as they were both designed Roebling.
Steve

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania