Abbaye de Fontenay

View from the rear emphasizes the utter tranquility of the monastic life in the middle ages

A very nice composition, Dennis! Best regards, Ruud.

Very nice, but I think it would improve from a tighter crop and some postprocessing: a bit of sharpening (the larger version is somewhat soft) and some color (it seems to have a slight red cast) & contrast correction. Again I took the liberty to do so, I hope you don't mind and take it as a compliment.

... absolutely right on the crop, dead on. The sharpening is good, too. I'm not sure about how my monitor is seeing the colors, though, because I don't see too much red in my version here. Unfortunately I spilled a martini on my other computer (object lesson in that!) and killed it. While I have a big 23" cinema display, it has not been calibrated. I'll do that and get back to you on the color. Thanks for your interest, Theo, amazing the difference the crop makes.

I like the curves of the gardens, they drive the observer's eyes towards the main building. Well done Dennis and thanks so much for your comments to some of my pictures, they are much appreciated.

 

Regards,

Marco

A very nice capture. I love the composition. Great.

... will be visiting France and photographing for seven weeks, including another trip back to Fontenay and to Pontigny. Thanks for the nice words, I always enjoy your portfolio because there are shots of so many of my favorite places.

This exterior shot means a lot to me as it is of the abbaye that I received from you in black and white. I also believe that Theo's crop of your photograph is just magnificent; and I find it very interesting that I probably would have shot this much as you have and not seen the next level. I am overwhelmed at the simple beauty of the grounds here; it takes my breath away. I must cross the ocean and visit these places sometime soon (with my camera and tripod, of course!). Beautiful work, my friend. Cheers! Chris

... Theo's crop is actually the one that I am using in all other versions ... want to leave this as it is so that people can see the effect of his crop, it is so brilliant. I remember when I first saw it, there was a physical reaction. Wow. Now you see why I think so much of him and his work, and his critiques. But I just put the shot into the manuscript, and of course, it is Theo's crop. Chris, you seem to really resonate to these churches. Some day you will go there. Hopefully it will be when PJ and I live there and we could host you and Susan!!