A few days ago TBM posted a picture of a castle in Massachusetts, and it brought back memories for me. When I was a child growing up in Toronto, Ontario, it was always one of my biggest thrills to visit Casa Loma. What is more exciting and magical than walking the halls of an old castle. Now, this is not an ancient castle like you would find in Europe, but it is beautiful all the same.
From the Casa Loma website: “When you enter the grounds of Casa Loma you step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Canada’s foremost castle is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens.” Sir Henry Pellatt was a business visionary, and his bold investments brought him great fortune. “His Midas touch continued through most of his business life, and in 1911, armed with a fortune of $17 million, Sir Pellatt drew up plans with Canadian architect E.J. Lennox to build his dream castle. The land on which he planned to build had been given the name Casa Loma (Spanish for Hill House) by its previous owner.”
“Casa Loma took three years and $3.5 million to build. Sir Henry Pellatt filled Casa Loma with artwork from Canada and around the world. Casa Loma stood as a monument to its creator – it surpassed any private home in North America. With soaring battlements and secret passageways, it paid homage to the castles and knights of days gone by. Sir Henry Pellatt enjoyed Casa Loma for less than ten years before financial misfortune forced him to abandon his home. Today this unique piece of Canadian history is open daily as a tourist attraction and hospitality venue.”
So, with memories brought to the surface, I used my photo organizing software (acdsee) to pull up photos from our last visit to Casa Loma. We took our kids there in 2004, so that I could pass the thrill on to them, and they loved it! Going through the photos, though, I noticed a common problem because of the size of the building and the tall towers. Because you are shooting from ground level and looking up, the sides of the building appear to be bending inwards and the whole castle itself seems to be leaning backwards. According to a website I found, this is a common perspective problem called keystoning, and it’s caused by the building and the camera lens being on two different angles. This particular website gave step by step instructions on how to fix the problem, so I decided to give it a try. I have Photoshop CS5, but I only know the basics of photo editing, so this was a challenge for me. Here are the before and after photos of two shots. I know they are far from perfect, but this was just my first, very quick try, and I was amazed at the improvement. They still need work though, and I really wish there hadn’t been any cars in the parking lot. What do you think? Am I on the right track with this technique?
Before editing
After editing
Before editing
After editing. Obviously, close-ups are not the best to use this technique on because you end up having to crop the photo even more, but this still shows how much it corrects the perspective.
photos from the loonybin 
Yes, on the right track, you, and I, just need to remember to leave enough space around the buildings to allow for the loos during perspective correction. Or spend at least $1500 on a tilt-shift lens, and learn how to use it, so we don’t have the problem to begin with 😉
Yes, these pictures were taken 8 years ago when my kids were so young that I was lucky enough to get any shots at all while watching that they weren’t getting into anything, let alone actually plan the composition of a shot. I am really enjoying the fact that I can now concentrate on my photography and really think about my shots without interruption LOL. I was quite excited about this technique though because I have a thing for taking photos looking up at tall buildings and now I know how to fix them. As for the tilt-shift lens, I think I’ll pass on that for now. 🙂
With a little knowledge of perspective control, you can go a long way in working around the prohibitive cost of a tilt-and-shift lens, and it does help a great deal. You’re very definitely on the right track!
Thanks Gary!! I am learning so much this weekend – just taught myself how to add a watermark to my photos. I think my brain is going to overflow, but it’s fun. I was going to clean my house today, but I can do that another day right? LOL 🙂
This is a place that I want to visit!
You should if you ever get a chance. It’s beautiful inside and out!
I would love to visit this place…how fun!
It is fun and interesting. Maybe one day you will travel this way. Have you ever been to Toronto?
Yep! But it was a short stay. We drove from Boston to catch a Pearl Jam concert, a baseball game, and some beers. It was a whirlwind weekend trip but so worth it. The drive was long, but very pretty.
Pearl Jam!! You have good taste in music I see. 🙂
Our summer trip is revolving around Pearl Jam this summer. We are going to see them in 4 different countries. It is actually the better half who loves Pearl Jam. I enjoy going to the concerts and when travel is suggested to see them I’m all over that.
You are so lucky to live in England because you can travel to multiple countries all in the same day if you want!! That trip sounds like a blast!!
Just beautiful!
Thank you! I might have to post some of the shots from inside too because it is really something to see. 🙂
Really beautiful pics..it’s like i’m in the photo
It is definitely a beautiful and interesting place to visit. Thanks for the comment.