Paris Cityscape by Barry O Carroll

5 questions about this photo:

Q1. What equipment did you use?
Canon 40D, Sigma EX 24-70 lens, a tripod

Q2. What settings did you have on your camera?
This is an HDR from 3 images taken at 3 different exposures:
-2 ISO 100 F22 1/100 sec
0 ISO 100 F22 1/25 sec
+2 ISO 100 F22 1/6 sec

Q3. What software did you use during the post-production?
I used Photomatix to blend the 3 images with the strenght set to 70%. I then used a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop to finish the processing.

I darkened the photo in Photoshop using curves and then painted back in using masks the areas of light for a more dramatic and cinematic effect. This is definitely one of those photos where I've pushed the meaning of "what is photography" a little.

Q4. What is the location?
The photo was taken in Paris along Quai de la Tournerlle looking towards the Île de la Cité. Notre Dame de Paris is to the left and the Tour Saint Jaques is just visible to the right of the photo.

Q5. How did you come up with the idea of this shot?
The shot and the the style of processing is inspired by 2 French photographers: Stephane Rey Gorrez and Jean Michel Berts.

I love taking photographs in Paris in general. It is a stunningly beautiful city that contains some of the most magnificent architecture and monuments in the world. I love trying to capture the beauty but also mood of the city in my shots. Paris is by far my favourite photography location.

The processing in this photo is meant to portray the dark moodyness that hung over the city that day. There was heavy grey cloud through wich occasional rays of light burst through illumination buildings or sometimes parts of buildings.