Abbaye de Fontenay, Fontenay (Cote d'Or)

This is fabulous! I think this may be my favorite rendition. I do want to spend a couple of days going back and forth looking at both; but this is unbelievably rich in its tones and contrasts. Boy does the light work for you in this monotone. The definition on the little door at the end is somewhat diminished; but the overall effect of the light on the bones of this beautiful abbey more than makes up for it. This is really terrific! Cheers! Chris

I've always had a preference for B&W and this case is no different, I do like the warm soft glow of the color version, and both versions are fantastic. I just think the strong point of these photographs is the amazing and mesmerizing symmetry which, I think, is conveyed better in B&W. I'm curious as to what got you interesting in these fascinating structures? (beyond the obvious, of course)

Superb! The b&w with lighting showing more contrast makes this a work of art that any museum would be proud to have on its walls!

... Chris, I've gotten a couple of requests lately for B&W versions, but haven't been confident enough in my handling of it. This image, after the test Adam Welber did on the other version, just cried out for the treatment. I'm actually pleased with this (as opposed to not pleased with the Germigny-des-Pres image from a couple of days ago, which I can't seem to get right).

 

Tim, I've always been attracted to these churches since I was a kid living in France. I liked their solidness, their beauty, and the wonderful arches, which really define the Romanesque. As I got older, the technical side of the architecture added its fascination (understanding the different types of vaulting in particular), but the truth of the matter is a bit deeper. Let me quote from a response I made to PhoSant a while ago ... "... the "why" of it all is hard to answer. I'm not religious per se, although I think I have a deep streak of the need to believe, which takes expression in artistic work. I first fell in love with Romanesque architecture because of its beauty, durability, and variety. But over the years since I've studied it, have come to believe that it is one of the most perfect expressions of faith that architecture has ever produced. Your ancestors, with their temples, the Egyptians with theirs, the Chinese, Japanese, so many others have all found a unique and powerful way to match structure and belief. But it was, not to be showing disrespect, elitist. The Romanesque and Gothic, on the other hand, were "partout", everywhere. Hundreds of churches built every year by towns, cities, monasteries, episcopal sees. They were not just the reflection of Man and God, as are the others, but the record of an entire people. When that faith dissipated, as is inevitable in any civilization, we were left with a stone record of incredible beauty. A direct link, as it were, to the aspirations of these people. Like the Greeks of the Athenian golden age, they were built by a free people. In the 12th Century, these people moved more stone in building their 80 cathedrals and thousand churches than did the Egyptians in the entire history of building their pyramids using slave and conscripted labor.

 

So, that's where my fascination begins. It goes deeper with the understanding of the Vierges Romanes, of medieval vaulting and how it affected construction, and how these structures have withstood a thousand violent years of history and can still tell their story, if we will only listen. I, my friend Photis, will listen. And I am lucky that PJ listens with me." PJ is my lady who shoots these churches with a passion equalling my own. Some day her shots will be up here as well.

 

Shawn, another photographer whose work I admire so much, thank you for your compliment. It means a great deal to me. As much as I love shooting these churches, I am always in awe of people whose photographic imagination can somehow seem to encompass everything. You are one of those photographers.

Dennis,

 

I like the color one much better. If you want, send me an email and I'll give you a detailed analysis of the picture which might help you with future b&w work.

Thank you Dennis for that incredible insight, it really enhances my enjoyment when viewing your fantastic images. I'm really in an adolescent stage with my photography and am still really searching for that "subject". I hope I can achieve the same passion you have, along the way I am thankful I have yours as inspiration.

... "I prefer to be spontaneous with my camera, taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves to me. I like to react to the world around me as it happens." I think that is very admirable, and your work shows that it is appropriate for you. As for finding your "passion", that comes with time. There are a number of us on the site who tend to be monomaniacal about our subjects. I think that is because we have deep feelings that are evoked by them. That leads to exploration. Frankly, sometimes I am amazed that people don't look at my portfolio and say, "Another darn church, what's wrong with this guy?" But to me, they are like human faces ... each one different, each one with a story. I am so glad that people resonate to these churches, and to my photographs of them. Thanks for your kindness and interest, and I look forward to following where your inner voice takes you.

Although I prefer the colour version,this perfectly made B&W evokes mixed seniments for me.It seems more like a tunnel that pushes someone to explore his depth of faith,than to stand still and pray.

... what a perfectly marvelous observation. There must be a poet's soul to make that statement.

The color version was good but this is really superb. I like very much the B/W in architecture. Good work, Dennis.

Dennis, as you know I'm a real sucker for b&w and too often telling people that their great photo's would even look better in b&w, opiniated as I am. You really did a great job here but I have to say that I still prefer the coloured version (I have to see my GP about that, must have a fever). The fact that there is so much positive debate about it is a hallmark of it's quality. Maybe a little toning now so we all can rant about it some more.

... as you know, I am very unconfident in my black and white skills. So this is terrific when people talk about the two shots and give me more to think about. I love the technical discussions of course, but Photis' comment really floored me ... and of course what he said is exactly what the whole exercise is about, isn't it.

 

I see a great many people complaining about PhotoNet as "not being what it was" or not being up to their expectations. Personally, I can only be amazed that in my lifetime a medium has developed to allow colleagues to review each other's work in high enough resolution to make a difference, and provide a forum for such review in almost real time. What the hell are we complaining about?

Dennis, it's not so much a complaint on my part. The fact remains however that there are not all that many people around that are willing or able to do that (or maybe just can't be bothered). I just started a month ago here and since then got in touch with some real nice people :))) I still think however that some of them have a point. It must be very frustating if feedback is few and far between.

But of course you're right, so let's stay in touch and rant at eachothers failures (just joking)

... since I believe we've already come to an understanding about your intent and my response earlier. No, I am referring that I went to Casual Conversations today and saw MORE complaints about PN ratings and people leaving because of this and that. My point is that this is an amazing thing that is going on in the world, and it will sort itself out. It is a complex system, and as such, we cannot control it; the system will achieve it's own stability.

 

Actually part of the statement was about you; I can always use your help on my black and white :)

something wrong with my Queen's English then. I knew that it wasn't meant for me. Sorry for the misunderstanding, my fault. A lot of people seem to thrive on complaining, can't do without it. I work in a hospital for 30 years and see it every day. Anyway, enough of that. Check your e-mail in a minute, gone send you something. Hope you like it. Before I forget, thanks for your comments on my pics.

... I was less precise than I should have been. Just got your church photos, you've got to post those, Ton. How the hell did you get the snow shots aligned like that? The dissolve in your presentation just laid the snow on it. You must have been set up on a tripod and shot the images over time. The night shot, wide, of the snowy church was spectacular. As far as people asking for the email address, it happens once in awhile, but not a lot. Usually the message follows up pretty quickly. However, I did have a problem one time, my spam filter intercepted a few of them.

Wonderful tones and light. A beautiful image. Regards...

Thanks Dennis. Getting a bit dehydrated here behind my screen. Gone get me a nice blond one...

Dear Dennis, this photo is really perspective and light at their best. I think you can't get tired of looking at it, because it is simple, without distractions and the image is intrinsecally "coherent" (I can't find a better word to define it). Nicolo'

One of my favorite Cistercian churches, severe and unadorned, but showing the inherent

beauty of the structure itself.

very good photo, nice perspective.

Very nice this version in B&W as well. Great job.

Great. Specialy the left side is dramatic and mysterious as expect fot such places.

Very good converted.

... one thing I like about this shot is how there is a contrast between the tungsten light on the left (it was a gloomy day and they put the lights on, which is fairly rare in my experience there) and the natural light coming from the left side aisle windows and illuminating the right hand side of the arches. We get the natural diffused light and the direct, dramatic light from the fixtures in the same shot.

Dennis, the feeling is as if it is nearly a "rounded" form, as the short lights and long shadows on the floor L are like "closing" a circle with the upper part. There is something rounded and whole in that form.... The stairs on the FGL are like inviting the entering prayer to "walk" the long mentaly way till the end,... it is a perfect angle that acentuates the beautiful repetition and great light /shadow in a B/W choice.