Dark Remnant

Brooding.  Yet the green grass and little puff of a tree add so much.  I like how the slate tumbles down, which serves in lieu of any sense of blue sky.

KAUSHIK

Many thanks for your interest and for haring your thoughts, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

BEN

Sincere Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for that great suggestion. It keeps the appearance of rain but gives it less dominance, I would never have thought of doing that, Thank you.

Best Regards

Alf

GRANT

The light was changing by the second, as the clouds scooted by  the sun appeared momentarily at intervals, it made for some interesting shots that day. Sincere thanks for your interest and positive feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

RADU

Many thanks for your interest and positive feedback much appreciated. The tree seems  to exist despite the harsh conditions, like a sole survivor in the otherwise lifeless village.

Best Regards

Alf

JEFF

I think its the slate colouration that gives it that "broody" look, the tumbled slates that you can see are a fraction of the mass that lies right behind me as I took this shot, in some areas of the old ruins / mine workings, it seems impossible to get a shot with any definition as there are just masses of grey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Cheers Jeff

Alf

I admire your efforts and tenacity nealy as much as your talent with photography.  Don't know that I would have the patience to wait out rain and cold.  As usual, I love the results.  I like the inclusion of the slate pieces along the top of the photo.  IMO the rain drops add alot to the mood and appearance of the shot.  I was a bit surprised when I first saw the image.  It appeared to be slightly blurred to me.  I figured that it was my monitor or my eyes since I know that you would never post a flawed image.  When I enlarged the image it appeared in fine detail.  I have never noticed anything lke that before.  I read the comments and no one else mentioned it so it truly must be my eyes.

Once again, excellent work...

What a cracking view and image again, Alf. You achieved to emphasise the remote and unique nature of the landscape with the ruine as eye catcher and the visible rain as that 'little extra' adding drama to the scene. As Jerry said here above, this one must be seen enlarged. Big compliments Alf! 

Wonderful shot Alf, and I agree viewing large gives more detail.

JERRY

After reading a recent article by the brilliant Marc Adamus, my discomforts are miniscule by comparison. there is a kind of "no pain, no gain" logic to the whole thing, but even that isn't an exact science, as some days render nothing in return. I'm really pleased you liked it Jerry, this is a favourite location, though not the easiest place to get a shot that conveys the mood. As for the "blurred" impression you encountered, I think you will find that it's the size of the image, and its optimisation at the larger size that has that effect. I normally optimise for the normal view, but wanted viewers to see the detail in the larger view on this one. So don't worry .......its not your eyes or your monitor : - )

Many thanks for your thoughts and continued interest Jerry.

Best Regards

Alf

EL

I'd really pleased the remote atmosphere was conveyed to you in this one. It is a difficult balance between showing a drab grey image that can look depressing, and a colourful cheerful one that just doesn't say what you want it to. So although I cursed the rain, it kind of done me a favour. Sincere thanks for your well considered thoughts and feedback.

Best Regards

Alf

ANDREA

Many thanks for your kind comments I'm very pleased you enjoyed viewing it.

Best Regards

Alf

they add a lot of depth because of the rapid, shrinking gradient.  i also like the gentle colour. best, j

Alf I really like the color of the old, falling building and how it blends into the rocky landscape as though it were returning to where it came from. As usual the clarity of detail and color is beautiful. 

Yeah, I see what you mean, they kind of add to the depth. As for colour I'm very honoured that you approve, knowing your expertise on this subject. Truth is I wanted to retain some mood, but without making it drab, and thought this was a good compromise. Many thanks for your thoughts Jamie, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

TONY

I like that anaolgy of the slate returning to its mother earth from whence it came. The slate itself can take on many different hues and colours according to its surroundings and light, from dark bluey grey to almost ash white. Thanks for your interest and positive feedback Tony.

Best Regards

Alf

Very beautiful capture , well done ...................... Best regards.

Well this has been a thoroughly popular scene judging by all the admirers and well deserved Alf, may I add. I love how these slate buildings were constructed and the lead in regarding the hardships of the times certainly gives one something to think about when viewing this splendid scene...Regards

FALAK

Many thanks for your interest and kind comments, very much appreciated.

Regards

Alf

KEITH

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Keith, it's always good to hear from you.  This is really moody place, and isn't the easiest of locations to photograph well. But there is a PN photographer that I think you might be familiar with that seems to capture the essence of the place really well, John Roberts.....it's worth checking out his shots of this place.

Cheers Keith

Alf

Everything has already been said...so very well done! Kind regards.

Beyond the factual representation, this shot keeps my eye wandering on it, each surface being interesting in itself. Of course you start with the ruin and the tree, but then you discover the slates on the upper right with their rectangular shapes and the wavy looking grass playing over the eroded boulders on the left and finally when you get to the water there are those floating specks of sunlight that set the mood. It may have been the scene of the hard life of the miners but it certainly has the feeling of a fairy-tale.

Regards, Tibi

ANABELA

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, much appreciated.

Best Regards

Alf

TIBI

Sincere thanks for sharing your thoughts and describing the scene so eloquently.  You have raised a point, that occured to me also. The "fairytale" look as you have aptly described the scene, wasn't my original plan for this shot. I wanted to show the grim face of the Miners environment, and was going to convert this to B & W .......after some contemplation I decided not to......and after reading your comments I think I made the right decision.

Cheers Tibi!

Alf

Hi Alf!

Looking at this, I just want to go there and experience it myself. I am so envious of you being able to explore a place like this. I am glad I looked at it larger, it has so much more impact that way. It was wonderful exploring the landscape with my eyes. You didn’t say how old this was, at least I didn’t see that while I skimmed over the comments. I am also curious about how long it took you to hike in?

Without electricity, hot water or stores, plus the back breaking labour, the slate minors probably had little time or energy to enjoy the serenity and beauty.  I like and agree with Tibi’s comment  “…but it certainly has the feeling of a fairy-tale”. Not a gentle fairytale in my mind, something Tolkienish, or Brothers Grimm.

This is an impressive photo. Like a good book or movie it stirred my imagination. I really enoyed it.

Best wishes,
Linda

Beautiful work like always Alf.  I, like others, am taken in by the whole scene, and fragments there of, in study.  Truly a compelling piece.  B/R...

-Dave

Another nice image Alf, with beautiful colour, lighting & composition.

Regards.

A beautiful landscape of the Welsh region showing a mountainous terrain and characteristic rocks of the area. The ruins definitely relates to cultural identity as you described. Outstanding! Regards, Alf

Lester

LINDA

I'm really pleased you connected with this image, its kind of "mission accomplished"  to know that it touched you in this way.  The buildings date back to early nineteenth century and I think the last villager left the village in 1957.  It takes about 20 - 30 minutes to hike there, and about another hour if you want to explore the outlying ruins and mine workings, but most of it is up steep gradients.

I can certainly see your analogy of a Tolkien scene, the area has that kind of drama to it. But it is a real challenge to capture the spirit of the place, it can be very elusive. I have visited this area in the past, taken dozens of photographs and ended up deleting every one. On this occaision I got a few keepers, so I am more than pleased.

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Linda, much appreciated!

Best Regards

Alf

DAVE

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, very much appreciated. Its a unique location, quite dark and sombre at times, but green and tranquil at other times, all in all quite a challenge to photograph.

Bets Regards

Alf

SAGNIK

Many thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated!

Best Wishes

Alf

LESTER

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful comments and positive feedback, much appreciated. It is very typical of the local scenery, the dark slate and the remnants of forgotton gardens and houses.

Cheers Lester

Alf

One of your best.  learning is all I can say.  Best Regards,

Many thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated. It would seem you are learning very quickly!

Best Regards

Alf