Gloria Grandolini

April 2025 - Emerging Pilgrim Monument

Original

About the Image(s)

I have spent many summers in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. I have taken dozens of pictures of this view trying to get an interesting one to frame and present at a competition. It is so hard because there are hundreds of photos - mostly taken at sunset - of this view where you see part of the beach, the tide, the shape of town, and the Pilgrim Monument.
A beautiful blend of nature and architecture, and history. The Pilgrim Monument (build in 1907-10) commemorates the first landing of the Pilgrims in 1620. It is an almost exact replica of the Torre del Manga in Siena (built in 1309).
I tried a sunset one a couple of years ago (I send as background).
So this is my attempt at a more particular take. I took this on a very foggy day. Look forward to your impressions
and advice.
Shot with Canon EOS 80D.
70m (lens EF 24-70 f/2.8 II USM)
1/13 sec at f/22 ISO 200
Editing: I cropped the right side a bit.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted

Richard Distlerath

I like the idea of this image very much. You are capturing the emerging lighthouse.
You want to make a more ethereal image in this moody weather. The composition lends itself to a standard rule of thirds image. I would likely want to see more foreground through background and less sky. I'd shoot this image about f8-f11 - the sweet spot of your lens. I would try to find a location with leading lines toward the lighthouse. Same ideas apply even if you do not replicate a foggy day. I hope you make it back there. Posted: 04/03/2025 16:46:14

Richard Distlerath

I have cropped your photo into a pano. I did a search on photos of this monument. Your photo has a better idea - the emerging monument - than many I saw. You are on to something. Posted: 04/04/2025 06:24:02

Gloria Grandolini

Thank you so so much Richard. Very useful feedback. And I truly appreciate you doing the background research. I'd love to have a really special image of this spot. I am going back in July/August and will put to use your suggestions. Also now I have a better camera the Canon R5 and a better RF 24-70lens. hopefully I get another foggy day… Posted: 04/05/2025 11:45:44

Rizwan Choudhry

When I first saw this image, my immediate thought was: Have you considered a monochrome conversion? I believe black and white would enhance the mood and atmosphere of this scene.

I find the composition very compelling, and I see great potential in it. I second Richard's suggestions and also would try focus stacking/HDR. I also really like the panoramic crop he proposed; it adds a dynamic quality to the framing.
Posted: 04/08/2025 14:12:35

Gloria Grandolini

Thanks Rizwan Posted: 04/17/2025 16:07:24

Lillian Roberts

I admit that when I first saw this image, I wasn't sure what to make of it. I didn't immediately thing "fog" but rather "smog," but I am not familiar with the spot. Photographically, I agree with Richard that you started out with far too much negative space in the sky. The panoramic version of Richard's crop makes a big difference. And while I still think there is more space on the left than is needed, to crop from that side would place your monument in the center, which you do not want.

I don't know if it would be possible to open a bit wider, or simply direct the lens down slightly to include more of the shoreline? I feel the pictorial aspect would be greatly enhanced if the implied shoreline were to continue sweeping toward the lower left corner of the image. But based on the "original" posted, I suspect it may not swing in the direction I imagine.

Lillian Posted: 04/16/2025 06:57:07

Gloria Grandolini

Hi Lillian thanks for the comments, correct the shore line continues on the right . Posted: 04/17/2025 16:09:22

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