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Vatican Sunset


 

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

Michael McCook

 
 
 
- Gerda Grice

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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.


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June 07, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  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.


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May 26, 2019

 
- Gerda Grice

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  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


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May 26, 2019

 

Gordon J. Evans
  Light and dark with the sky create a wonderful sense of drama to the pic...


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May 26, 2019

 

BetterPhoto Member
  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.


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May 26, 2019

 
- LJ Corliss

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  Congrats to you :)


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July 07, 2003

 
- Gerda Grice

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


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July 07, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  Thanks everyone for all your kind words and encouragement.


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July 07, 2003

 

Mary K. Robison
  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.


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July 09, 2003

 

Cheryl Meisel
  This is beautiful, almost magical! Congrats! Cheryl


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July 10, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  Thanks Mary and Cheryl, I really appreciate the comments.


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July 13, 2003

 

Gabriela Cunha
  congratulations!
gy


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July 14, 2003

 
- Serena Pierce

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  Congratulations Michael! Fantastic work in PS!


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July 14, 2003

 

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


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July 14, 2003

 
- Evy Johansen

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


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July 14, 2003

 

Connie L. Carpenter
  Fantastic and inspiring... congratulations.


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July 14, 2003

 

Patrick Campbell
  Great job with your combination of the two images....congrats on the big win!


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July 14, 2003

 
- Gerda Grice

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  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!


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July 15, 2003

 
- Mette Vendelboe Allison

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  Congratualtions- great work:-)


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July 15, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  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!


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July 15, 2003

 

Darren M. Alexander
  A very deserving win! Really outstanding image! Good job!

Kudos!


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July 15, 2003

 

Monika Sapek
  Many congratulations on your first place win, Michael!
Monika


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July 15, 2003

 

Gary W. Lake
  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!


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July 16, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  Thanks Darren, Monika and Gary for you kind words.


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July 17, 2003

 

doug Nelson
  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


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July 21, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  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.


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July 21, 2003

 

Kathleen R. Struckle
  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


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August 12, 2003

 

Michael McCook
  Thank you Kathy. I appreciate your comment.


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August 13, 2003

 

Brenda M. Wolfensberger
  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.


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April 17, 2005

 

Michael McCook
  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.


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April 17, 2005

 

Luis Louro
  Great work, great gallery, Michael!!!


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May 07, 2005

 

Michael McCook
  Thank you Luis.


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May 09, 2005

 

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


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February 04, 2006

 
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