The Taj Mahal - revisited

[LocalHero1953]

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Suggested to me by seeing the photo of the Taj Mahal by @Ouroboros in another thread........

I have visited twice, once for work (in Agra, not the Taj) in 2012, and once with my travel manager in 2018, because she was disgruntled about missing it six years before. I thought it would be interesting to re-edit the images using my current practice in Lightroom, and with the latest software tools.

First with the M9 and Summilux-M 35mm FLE in 2012. No use of LR Denoise; taken at ISO 160 there was no need. Topaz Sharpen AI has improved it a lot, though, and I used the LR sky masking tool to darken the sky slightly. This is was originally in portrait mode, but the foreground (water) is a distracting dirty colour. I wish I'd taken it in landscape, to give it a bit more space at the sides. 

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Second with the CL and 18-56TL zoom in 2018. An early morning mist added atmosphere. Shot at ISO 6400 it has benefitted a lot from the latest LR denoise tools. Sharpening only in LR, not Topaz. I have this as a framed print above our bed, but this re-edited version would look better.

Edited May 18, 2023 by LocalHero1953

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[Lelmer]

2 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Suggested to me by seeing the photo of the Taj Mahal by @Ouroboros in another thread........

I have visited twice, once for work (in Agra, not the Taj) in 2012, and once with my travel manager in 2018, because she was disgruntled about missing it six years before. I thought it would be interesting to re-edit the images using my current practice in Lightroom, and with the latest software tools.

First with the M9 and Summilux-M 35mm FLE in 2012. No use of LR Denoise; taken at ISO 160 there was no need. Topaz Sharpen AI has improved it a lot, though, and I used the LR sky masking tool to darken the sky slightly. This is was originally in portrait mode, but the foreground (water) is a distracting dirty colour. I wish I'd taken it in landscape, to give it a bit more space at the sides. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

Second with the CL and 18-56TL zoom in 2018. An early morning mist added atmosphere. Shot at ISO 6400 it has benefitted a lot from the latest LR denoise tools. Sharpening only in LR, not Topaz. I have this as a framed print above our bed, but this re-edited version would look better.

Both are great. I personally prefer the second one.

[stuny]

me, too.

[LocalHero1953]

11 minutes ago, stuny said:

me, too.

I was expecting all the M9/CCD fans to weigh in on behalf of the first!

But I agree - it leaves more to the imagination. And the people have the look of an C18 landscape about them, in formal dress.

Though in the first I like the way the people are all ignoring the Taj Mahal itself. This is one of a series I took at the time showing how people interacted with such an iconic building. 

Edited May 20, 2023 by LocalHero1953