Gods Country (Click for Larger view)

As I walked towards the old church the sun came out and made the

surrounding vegetation look quite vivid. It had been a dismal start to the

morning. It had rained through the night and I arrived just after dawn to a

grey wet cold looking place, but even then it still retains a wild kind of

beauty. Fairly typical weather for this part of the world, but I am

fascinated by this place and its ruined church and slate houses. The

men and women that formed a community of mine workers here must

have been a tough bunch. The upright stones on the right look a bit like

grave stones, but they are in fact slabs of slate that form a fence, they

made everything out of slate, well nearly everything! Your thoughts and

comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

This has leading lines, great colors, and a very good composition.  Good work, Alf.  I like this a lot. Cheers, bb

And thank God He hasn't put up a No Trespassing sign. For a photographer like yourself this countryside must be like stumbling into the Garden of Eden. Another in an extensive series of intriguing views from you, Alf.

Beautiful and, with the prologue, quite fascinating.  Any idea of the time period for occupation?

Beautiful scene beautifully captured.  This one goes into my Favorites folder, Alf.

 

--Lannie

Great composition, beautiful colours and light, everything is very fine!

All elements here are so interesting,indeed this right stones look like grave ones,also the road paved with big plate stones is well seen,I am in a way curious how you get so good clarity from foreground to bg with f4,looks really very good.

This is a lovely scenery, beautiful place to take a walk, take pictures and let the dog free, running up and down :)  I would even have a picnic by the crumbling walls of the church, admiring the land scape.  Superb picture! I envy you Alf!  hahahaha!  take care my friend!

The lighting and the ground colors combine very well and I particularly like the busy grasses on either side of the path. The clouds and the slate which seemingly fades and disappears in the distance are also quite appealing.

Hi Alf

The leading lines that converge near the tree creates a very strong point of intrest  and also enhances the three dimensional quality of the image. The contrasting colors yellow and blue improve the image even further. Great Landscape!

Hi Alf,

A spectacle of Nature and a fine documentary included.

An ideal use of the camera and lens settings.

I still remain surprised by the need to use a tripod fo a 16 mm lens at 1/500 second.

Best Regards my friend, Mike

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful composition, colors & details.  Take care, Patsy

Just what are you trying to do to me Alf? Torture me even more? LOL. It is so hot where I live and I would love to take a walk here and feel that rain! Such lovely scenery captured so well! I can't wait for my trip over there but as of yet, it isn't planned. Where was this shot taken - in Wales? Lovely and peaceful scene with beautiful colors. I like the way the remnants of that old stone fence and the stone path lead me to the tree and old building and the sky just over those hills. Very well done. Thank you for sharing. :)

Evocative scene. The story of a 'tough bunch'.

Many Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It is the strangest of places, it can look bleak and desolate one minute and within seconds transform into a beautiful scene.

Cheers! 

 

Alf 

 

JACK

 

There are a group of volunteers called "Friends of Cwmorthin" that actively encourage people to visit this place. You can actually go down the mines too. But I had enough of that when I worked down the coal mines when I left school, so I gave that bit of the visit a miss. 

But you are right, the British Isles are indeed like the Garden of Eden, and I haven't seen it all yet. There are some private estates in the UK that I would love to gain access to, but there are also endless miles of public footpaths that as yet remain undiscovered by me.........I'm working on it though! 

Sincere Thanks Jack! 

 

Alf 

 

STEVE 

The quarry is on the site of a valley cut of by a glacier from the last ice age. The beginnings of the quarry and mines began in the early 1800's with extensive underground workings taking place by 1860, when it was then connected to the Ffestiniog Railway. There were said to be over 500 men employed at its most prolific period.  The access to the place is steep incline, which leaves me puffing and panting, then a further incline when you pass the church. There was no how water, electricity etc, and this place can be freezing cold in the summer, the winters must have been a nightmare!  I think the last occupants of the houses that were built here ( of slate of course) left in the 1950's.

 

Many Thanks  for stopping by Steve! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

LANNIE 

 

I am very honoured that you consider this one a favourite. 

 

Sincere Thanks! 

 

Alf 

 

GUNNAR 

 

Good to hear from you! 

 

Many Thanks for your positive feedback, much appreciated! 

 

Alf 

 

RADU

 

The foreground is in better focus on this one than the bg, but the church and the tree are acceptable, beyond that the finer details are out of focus, but there is enough definition to make it aesthetically pleasing. I did use some selective sharpening for the Church, but it was minimal.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words Radu.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PANAYOTIS 

 

It is a fantastic place to walk, the scenery just gets better and better the further you walk,  and you end up above a huge valley that you can look down and see all the way to the coast! You have to be careful with dogs though, this is primarily grazing land for sheep, but if they are well trained dogs there is no problem.  I bet you have equally beautiful places in Greece though, and lots of sunshine too! 

Sincere thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback my friend! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JOSEPH 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback!

 

The slate reflects the light in the background and despite the cloudy sky the sunshine was very bright when it found a space through the clouds. 

Glad you liked this one Joseph! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JUHA 

 

I think you are right about having a focal point in the distance, it does tend to add depth to an image.  The rocky pathway was always going to be a good leading line, but strangely despite being here 5 - 6 times before I have never managed to capture it just right.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Juha.

 

Alf 

 

MIKE 

 

Many Thanks for your continued interest and support, much appreciated!

The tripod is more of a "preference" than a "need" when I have hiked up a steep incline for several miles with my camera / 5 large lenses, filters and associated equipment, and yes a tripod : - )  I don't feel confident in capturing any scene without some camera shake. But the point being is that a tripod makes sure.  I don't allow for chance, I want it right first time.  I don't want to arrive home to look at it on my monitor, and curse because I was too lazy to use a tripod.

Of course I accept that 1/500 sec is sufficient to enable a perfectly sharp image......the tripod is insurance to ensure it does. The other aspect is that carrying and using a tripod is a "good" habit, it then doesn't become a burden and comes into its own when the light isn't so great. 

 

Best Regards my friend! 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

 

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

 

Best Wishes

 

Alf

 

TRISHA 

 

Awww yes, but what a wonderful torture : - ) 

 

Mmmmm there is nothing quite like the British countryside when it rains in the summer, the smells are just exquisite!

This is North Wales, and this particular place can look very moody and atmospheric. The grey slate turns almost blueish black in the rain, and the sky's are ever changing.  

The path goes on for miles and miles and I walked quite a distance on this day, the view from the top is spectacular! 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

ADRIENNE 

 

You can "feel" it when you stand and gaze at the old buildings and worn pathways.  The toil and sweat of countless men and women that worked this place, almost scream out at you.

Many Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

 

 

Your title is interesting; it could describe the awesome rugged beauty and a place with a deserted church and rocky obstacles walkway that surely twists ankles thinning the herd. How is yours?  Your comment on the slate is great, as they do look like grave markers, indeed.  An effort must be made here:  man, God, nature.  The intensity of greens illuminated is  lovely, particularly contrasted with the shadow.  And the slopes and turns and hills and valley complete a very pretty place to visit

Hi Alf, Gorgeous image, you were able to make me feel the peace this scene emanates and I saw myself walking very pleasing to God's country. Maybe I will never be in this place, but you took me there, and it was a good feeling. Keep up the excellent work!

Warm regards,

LuDa

I'm late, I'm Late ...."  It is a 'wonderland' and I will repeat what Bill Boyd said "This has leading lines, great colors, and a very good composition. Good work, Alf. I like this a lot" and only add "beautiful tree and great light'.

A very pleasant and beautiful scenery, that you automatically lean back and enjoy.

A wonderful country scene with the tree rightly placed in the composition to where the viewer's eye is led provided by the fence and the road. The lighting in the background, the ruins and clouds really beautifies and completes the scene. An excellent view to watch, Alf. Best regards!

Beautiful composition, great leading lines and great light. Your description of the scene is also captivating. Great work as usual Alf!

Take care.

Patrick

 

I used to chat to a Welsh friend who always referred to his country of birth as "Gods Country"  I always assumed that it was because it was a patriotic term, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it could have something to do with the amount of churches and the deep seated religion of the people.  The little ruined church in this scene reminded me of that terminology and like yourself I thought the title was in keeping with the surroundings.

The rocky path was ok at this point, but the previous incline I had travelled was a lot more perilous, with loose slate that made progress slow. Similarly further ahead was more of the same, loose slate and rock with deep ruts from the cascades of water when it rained, that turns the path into a stream and other parts into a waterfall.

It can be a very pretty place, the remarkable thing being that it can turn into a wild untamed and inhospitable dark place within a relatively short time. But I do have to add, that even when its storms rage and the clouds blacken, it retains its raw beauty that I cannot help but admire.

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, it is always good to read your views.

Alf 

 

PS: My ankles are fine, I fall over and I get right back up again. 

 

LUISA

 

I arrived at the site at approx 6.00 am and walked up the steep incline, the only sounds to be hear was the rush of water from the mountainside stream and the occasional "Baa" of the sheep.  It wasn't until 11.30 am that I saw another human being when I was on my way back down.

The clouds scurried across the sky at great speed, and the sun appeared from time to time to light up the scene. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. And if I didn't even manage to get one photograph I would have still enjoyed just being there! 

It is most gratifying to read that you experienced this too from this image.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

TONY 

 

It was better than the "Mad Hatters Tea Party" but a picnic would have been nice : - ) 

The light was quite special, one of those cloudy days with stormy sky's that part on the odd occasion to allow the sun a chance to shine through.  I also think the rain through the night helped too. 

Sincere Thanks Tony! 

 

Alf 

 

RANGA 

 

I am so pleased you enjoyed this.  Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best! 

 

Many Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

LESTER 

 

Thank you for your interest and thoughtful feedback, much appreciated! 

I tried several positions on the road and off the road, further away and closer, yet there seemed to be only one "right" position to get the desired composition and this was it. 

It was then just a case of watching the clouds for a few minutes to anticipate the sun appearing and get the shot before it disappeared once again.

Cheers!

 

Alf 

 

PATRICK 

 

The atmosphere and mood of this place is almost tangible, and becomes even more so when you read some of the history about it. 

I count myself as being very fortunate to be able to visit and photograph the location.

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words Patrick.

 

Alf 

 

 

 

So many excellent comments, I don't have anything technical to add but the view and the atmosphere are simple and so very peaceful.  The stone slabs are interesting and the "<-->" directions (?) are amusing...  Mike

Hi Alf-What a great day to take a walk Love the overall lightness of the scene & your viewpoint is perfect.What an interesting walk, strolling along studying the old grave markers & finally arriving at the old ruins with a nice tree for shade to sit & relax., a nice walk in the past. You captured the scene at a perfect time, it is just beautiful You have the eyes of an artist .Best Regards-Ross

Beautiful Scotland. I have never been there, but it is on my list, and when I look at this picture, it is moving higher on that list. What I especially like is the lines leading into the background, and even the clouds are leading in the same direction. Really nice work, Alf.

Regards Eystein