Architecture. Shift lens compared to post processing test.

I took my 24mm TS lens to a local castle to see if there are any visual differences between using a shift lens, and correcting keystoning in post. The lens was on a tripod and in a fixed position. In one case the lens was shifted, in the other, shift was set to zero and the lens tilted to simulate a normal lens. I have never seen any sort of comparison in my textbooks or on the web, so I decided to do my own comparison to see if things change geometrically.

I looked at two cases: simple vertical shift and diagonal shift. I then made an approximate overlay of the images to get an idea of the differences using a pretty primitive hit or miss tool on the Web.

Simple vertical shift is pretty close, with very minor differences probably due to my approximations. Diagonal shift does have some more noticeable differences.

I just wanted to do a geometrical comparison. The merits of using a shift lens compared to correcting in post is an another interesting conversation.

The subject is the Rocca di Scandiano. Its ten minutes from home and I think its particular form will make a good test subject for some further self learning tests.

1- 24mm TS levelled and shifted upward. Camera centred perpendicular to the tower

2- 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred perpendicular to the tower . No correction in post

3- 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred perpendicular to the tower . Correction in post

4- Overlay - The match is almost perfect

5- 24mm TS levelled and shifted diagonally upwards. Camera centred to get the whole building into the frame

6- 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred to include the whole building . No correction in post

7- 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred to include the whole building . Correction in post in 2 directions

8 Overlay. This is pretty approximate as getting a good match was almost impossible.

9- 24mm TS levelled and shifted upwards. Camera centred to get the whole building into the frame

10 - 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred to include the whole building . No correction in post

11- 24mm TS levelled with zero shift and pointed upwards. Camera centred to include the whole building . 2 way correction in post

12 Overlay

Chick Corea

I was really sad to learn today that Chick Corea has passed away. A brilliant musician who's music I have followed in its many forms since my teens. I was lucky enough to photograph him in the early nineties. Just my photographic tribute to a great musician.

Music in Zoali

We returned again this year to a small festival that is held every year down in Zoali in Liguria.


I had a chance to do some performing arts photography again, of Ethan Emerson a talented young pianist following in the footsteps of his famous grandfather and a group of musicians led by Paola Tagliaferro.


Paola was surrounded by a bigger group of musicians this year leaning more towards the World Music genre.


Here are the pictures.

Ethan Emerson

Paola Tagliaferro

Bread and Circuses Architecture

It is election time soon, and time for our local authority to swing into bread and circuses ( panem et circenses) mode. 

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

A long neglected monastic complex, Chiostri di San Pietro was opened to the public last Saturday after a long and slow restoration. A new hyper modern conference block has been wedged into a corner of the site. Inside the obligatory multimedia light show was imposed over the Renaissance architecture.

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

The scene reminded me of those Architectural Autocad renderings that I see so often for my work, with lots of more than perfect trees and transparent people drifting though the shiny buildings. I tried to show this vibe in a couple of the shots in this set. 

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Putting people in the frame is a bit of a new departure for me when photographing architecture, the big problem is getting passers-by whose attire does not clash with the composition.  

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

My trusty EM5 shined as usual for the task of trying to get some interesting and “clean” architectural shots in an over crowded environment. 

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

Chiostro San Pietro, Reggio Emilia

I used two bodies with a 12-35 2.8 and a 7-14 2.8 for this little Sunday morning diversion.

I intrude on a multimedia meal