Went to church during the Valbonne photowalk.
Between the light leak from the window on the left and the dynamic range, this should provide a nice challenge.
Camera JPEG for reference:
2026-04-19T15-24-26_IMG_2601.cr2 (23.2 MB)
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Three instances DoS, so expect some calculation time, when opening the xmp.
2026-04-19T15-24-26_IMG_2601.cr2.xmp (19,6 KB)
These types of image are hard. I never know if it is supposed to be documentary or ‘expressive’. Eventually, I went with the latter.
[Summoning all I can remember of my catechism…] Cropping up turned the window into more of a passage, which the figure on the cross both opens and seems to invite us through. The light from the passage is the only source of illumination inside the hard stone of the earth, and beyond we can make out the airy disks of angels and saints. But, the portcullis is down, signifying that entry is still not ensured. It is only through the grace of god that we are permitted entry.
2026-04-19T15-24-26_IMG_2601.cr2.xmp (20.6 KB)
My main intention here was handling the dynamic range. With shots like this I find initially disabling AgX and enabling base curve fusion gives me a good starting point with a few tweaks. I then reactivate AgX to get nice shadow and highlight tones. I also then applied shadow and highlights module and local contrast.
2026-04-19T15-24-26_IMG_2601.cr2.xmp (17.1 KB)
I tried to lean into the light leak in an attempt to go for a resurgent aura.
Gonzo edit using a lot of G’MIC tricks and layer property stuff (i.e, just had to do 2 back to back 14 hours followed by my usual 10 hour so too tired to outline my steps; lol). 
The more light the better on that subject 
I opened in RT then went to gimp after doing a couple things there. Not sure how I got the the window so dark.
I played a bit more and tried to bring more light on the main subject. A drawn mask would be better, if it was implemented.
