The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Matera is considered one of the oldest town in the world continously inhabited, it is 10.000 years old. It is located in a kind of rocky island formed by ravines that surround it. The many caves existing in its tuff walls were already inhabited in prehistoric times. The first urban nucleus dates back to the Metal Age from 6000 years onwards. Invasions, new peoples, different cultures followed: Saracens, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Aragonese, Bourbons. Each of them left traces visible even looking at the urban landscape of the town. This photo shows a cross-section typical of Matera. As the centuries passed the houses were built one on top of the other, tighten together, narrow and tall, mazy, in different eras. They climb the rocky walls trying to gain the scarce essential vital elements: soil, water, air.
This is a rare feature that struck me the most. It’s a landscape rich in folklore, diversity, history, culture. When the UNESCO in 1993 proclaimed Matera a world heritage site defined it as a cultural landscape. I would be very glad if this could make NPN agree in let this and the following photos of Matera remain in the Landscape category.
Specific Feedback
Is the color saturation too low for you?
Technical Details
Z 7 ii, Nikkor Z 28-75mm at 37mm - f/11, 1/250s, ISO 250.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Hi Giuseppe, What a remarkable image you have brought to us. It reminds me of a cubist painting. It can be seen on so many different levels, but I keep coming back to finding it quite beautiful. I think the saturation looks quite natural and works very well for the scene. Really fine work.
Thats a neat scene! My only thought is that it does lack some depth. I wonder if a tiny bit of vignette and a linear gradient making the foreground more distinct and then fading the sharpness, texture, contrast and saturation a bit in the back. It does flow nicely once you start staring and seeing the stairs and such. Nice work.
Wonderful something else image. @guy and @Igor_Doncov 's comments are right on. The square aspect ratio enhances the images’s tiered look. Here’s what it looks like without the foreground roofs. I also cropped a tad from the left to retain the square look. I can see how one would develop strong legs in this community.
Dear Giuseppe,
Thanks for putting this wonderful image out. You ask if the saturation is too low. I think it is just about right: The moderate saturation supports the abstract feel of the image. Well done.
Gigi, this is a marvelous image. All the lines and details in the bricks, doorways, and windows are just superb. Saturation looks perfect to me.
This might belong in the “Everything Else” category, rather than “Landscape”…
I love this one Gigi, and it definitely fits in the Landscape category. I love the history of this image, the wonderful aged bricks and rooftops, and the arches, and the little buildings built on other buildings.
This is a gorgeous, incredible image, of an incredible place! I love every aspect of it and have no suggestions, just super appreciation! I think the tonalities and color are perfect!
NPN is much more about sharing, appreciation, growth and learning rather than rigid limitations. But the history of the site is nature photography, and both artistically manipulated images and those of primarily human elements have their own categories. The Landscape definition is of natural landscapes with very limited hand of man. I think the main issue is that in Landscape it wouldn’t qualify for a much-deserved consideration for an Editor’s Pick.
@guy thanks, I like very much your comparison with a cubist painting.
@Paul_Holdorf your advise are excellent for most of the photos. In this case I preferred a bit flat image for representing the characteristic of these narrow houses, crowded together without an inch of free space. I will remember your advice for my future works, thanks.
@Igor_Doncov and @Larry_Greenbaum. You give me great advice which I immediately put into practice. I love the new version even if it is less quare. Thank you very much.
@Ed_Williams thanks for the compliments and for your opinion that this photo is a Landscape for you. Sandy and Diane different opinions are surely correct, I know that, but any time I look at this photo I see a Landscape. I am hoping for an exception. @Diane_Miller your enthusiastic appreciation fills me with pleasure. Thanks.
Maybe we could have a category for Manscapes… There are many amazing photographs that aren’t natural landscapes, and I think Cole Thompson would also have trouble finding a good category for much of his work. So Everything Else will always be a very diverse group, but can contain some of the best work here.
This is an outstanding image! I appreciate all the backstory and agree about the significance.
Thank you @Diane_Miller for calling this out as a reminder. I can’t fault you and your reasoning Giuseepe… however, if we’re to remain consistent, and FAIR to other posters who post city-scapes, buildings and many other images where the human element IS the subject and not specific to nature photography, then I think only fair to have this posted in the “Everything else” category.
With so many comments and impressions already, we can leave this for now - after all we’re really not interested in policing these categories… but I hope you understand and will post any future similars in the other “Everything else” category. Again, it’s not really a direction at you and your reasoning, but heading off future posts from hundreds of others who might like to post similar images. Hope this makes sense!
for sure, thank you for sharing this special scene.
