Cathedrale Saint Etienne, Auxerre (Yonne)

Worth a look at the larger image, this shows how wide and large these side aisles are. The

shot looks through the aisles on the nave, through the north transcept, and back into the

ambulatory in the apse.

Very good control of the shadow/highlight range, Dennis.

Powerful composition and amazing control of light and shadow detail. Seems a bit like HDR except without everything I do not like about HDR. Simply wonderful.

... and Gordon, appreciate the HDR reference. Even though this is not HDR, I have others that are. My personal preference is for realistic, non-painterly treatments, since I'm not much interested in "interpreting" these churches, but capturing them. There is a very good presentation by Theo Jacobs on churches and HDR that is very interesting in this regard. Take a look and let me know your thoughts. Again, thank you both for your interest.

 

Further note ... just took a quick glance at both of your portfolios. Your compliments mean a great deal coming from photographers as proficient as you both. Thanks again.

I really prefer Gotic art... This is wonderful capture. Excellent light, excellent vision. Best Wishes Dennis. (not possible give seven, sorry)

... seen in some ways, Gothic is a a record of the success of medieval architecture while Romanesque is the record of the failures. The developments that were made in Romanesque in vaulting, ogive arches, and buttressing because the foundation for Gothic architecture and their search for maximum height and maximum light.

 

I personally don't believe this position because in my opinion, the builders of the Romanesque churches would still have built the way they did even if they understood quadripartite vaulting and flying buttresses. I believe that Romanesque architecture fulfilled some deep need of theirs and represented in a deep way the substance of their worship. Gothic sprang from the ground that they had prepared, but was developed by a different set of builders with a different form of piety.

I have no background to appreciate the technical aspects of cathedral building, but I do resonate to the reverence that these buildings evoke. I can imagine quiet steps through this pillared walkway and then suddenly emerging into colors and light. I imagine this akin to a religious experience of quiet meditation followed by epiphany.

 

 

I want to thank you for the nice comment you left on my port. Time has been nonexistent this week, but I appreciate your thoughts, your photos, and your presence on PN.

... the walk-through before shooting is always wonderful, although sometimes I just sit down and look, try to feel the cathedral. Because I do such long exposures and bracket everything, after I've set up a shot there is plenty of time to look around during the shooting. Even after a couple of hours in the church, something will catch my eye. The light will change. The floor will come into relief. A pillar will stand out. Something beautiful will happen.

 

As far as the technical stuff goes, I geek out on that all the time, but tend to geek out at whatever involves me like this. But the end result of all that study (two years to understand vault construction) is to realize what you know already, how amazing that these builders were able to conceive and construct these structures without a measuring device, using only mechanical-advantage lifting tools, and the expertise of laborers. It is astonishing. So don't worry about the technical stuff, Jeff (which I know you don't really), these churches were built for eyes like yours. You validate their every effort.

Very nice! Indeed this does not need HDR, since there's not so much contrast, the darker columns in the foreground work very well - making that brighter would make it dull and lose depth. I was there many years ago -in '89- and took this photo, which is a detail of your photo.

... know that shot well, may have a similar one. You probably were standing just on the otherside of the north transcept. I do love those gothic windows. You might not have seen, but I've been pointing people to your presentation on HDR and the churches. It's a great departure point for discussions on the technique, and (in my personal opinion) the most effective use of HDR.

 

As for this shot, absolutely must keep the darker pillars because a) they frame the apse and b) they allow for the light on the floor to be distinctive. Thanks, as always, for commenting, Theo!

Composition and light are the strengths in this image. It really renders very well the impression you get when you enter those Romanesque/Early Gothic churches with their massive pillars.

Ingenious play of light and colors. It invites the viewer to explore further and be held captive to the beauty of the place.

Dennis, it is like walking from dark toward the light, that what faith is trying to teach human being, you have very well depicted the thought behind religion here.Very nice details.

... appreciate the comments. Pnina, it is certainly the case that I use photography to try to capture the intent of the builders of these structures. I have said many times that there are ideas and beliefs embedded in these stones, and that the structural design was done for a reason, a purpose. That is what I try to see when I go, and sometimes, maybe even catch with the camera. Thank you all three, for your sensitivity to these buildings and to what their builders intended. Frankly, it is amazing to find so many people responding as they do.

Hi Dennis, Jeff and Pnina expressed the spirit of this beautiful image for me. I also like the subtle variation in tones from foreground to background, the feeling of quiet, peace,holiness,and the ingenuity of man's talent in designing and building these structures. I must thank you as well for your sensitivity in seeing what I was trying to convey in my poppy photo. Best Regards. Denise

This picture was on my 24" screen in "enlarged" mode when Holly passed by and commented..."that's a Dennis picture, isn't it?" I said yes and she said, it's beautiful. I answered, Yes, it's beautiful.