some architectural studies Weighty Matters

Peterborough Cathedral is in the Romanesque style (called Norman in

UK as it dates from 11th - 12th centuries). The building relies on

its weight to stand up, so all the walls are massive and the arches

are round. There is none of the lightness of the later gothic style.

Here I am trying to convey that feeling of the weight and solid

solemnity of the building. All comments welcome!

Wish the person was more prominent

Thanks Therese. Yes in some ways I do too but on the other hand she was praying so I did not wish to intrude.

I like the smallness of the person as it creates an incredible contrast with the hugeness of the cathedral and the imposing weight in front.

Thanks Paula. Yes that was part of the idea - to emphasise the massive nature of the architecture against the smallness of the person.

Hello Colin, top marks for not intuding on the person in prayer. Jesus liked a house of prayer to be kept as such.

 

On to the photograph, dominated as it is by the huge pillar. It gives an excellent feel for the bulk of the building. It's not a light and airly building but what light there is, you have used well. The pediment of the pillar and the line in the slab at its base are interesting. Was there a screen separating the sides from the centre at ine time, I wonder? The lone figure gives a scale to the building and reminds us of why it's there. The blue was pehaps a bit of luck, because it captures the eye and we come back to prayer.

 

Wonderful work.

 

Best wishes. Peter

you are putting together a masterful, compelling portfolio. i hope you find as much satisfaction putting it together and displaying as i get from checking in and studying -- studying -- your work, which is a nyc lower east side bargain special for 25 bucks a year. thank you for posting your work, it is much appreciated.

 

the pov here is brilliant. the lines leading to the columns, the light coming through the windows on the left drawing us subtledly to the tiny figure who appears to be praying. masterful, colin, a sure hand that makes this all look so natural and easy.

 

 

I think you need the person for a sense of scale. Nice detail, colors and depth, Colin. Peaceful and powerful place!

Hi Colin, the person praying is needed to show a comparison of the vast size of the building. You have used the light well to show this image. Cheers, Sondra

Can feel the majestic & spaciousness of the cathedral. The tiny person actually emphasize & adds scale to the size & tallness of the cathedral. Excellent lightings of an interior shot. I love your all your recent uploads. Rich & beautiful colours with perfect lightings .

Thanks to you all for your comments.

 

Peter, it does look like something was between the coloumns at some stage doesn't it. There were quite a lot of people in the cathedral when I was there, visitors such as myself and others, a guy practising on the organ, a bunch of schoolkids in their choir gowns chattering in a subdued way and one lady praying. She seemed impervious to everything happening around her. I agree completely with you about respecting the purpose of a place such as this.

 

Ben, thanks! I can return the compliment to you. I enjoy seeing other peoples photos too. I like the way it helps me see the world a little through different eyes. And good value!

 

Kim, Sondra and Cherlyn, yes the woman praying does help the scale and I was glad she was there from a photographic point ov view! I was trying to capture the sense of massive weight that this particular building conveys so I'm pleased people seem to be 'getting it'.

The chairs crossing over the women provide a bit of respectful distance from her prayer...

Colin, what caught my eye was the angle that helps the viewer to see the vastness of the place without seeing the whole building. All the diagonal lines on the left hs, are bringing you to the woman in blue, exactly what the builders wanted it to be, the glory of god's house of prayer.that 10-22 of yours!!!( back from Vienna....) Pnina

Thanks Stephen and Pnina.

 

Pnina, I hope you had a good time in Vienna. I'm sorry I could not make it and I look forward to seeing the pictures from you all.

colin, what do you do to get such clarity? i assume you are on a tripod, no? using a remote switch? what is the shutter speed and aperture and iso? do you use something like neat image? whatever you can say, i'd love to get this kind of smooth clear image if i can.

Very good work, Colin. The size of the columns is shown by the tiny chairs beside them; the woman praying in the background adds to the feeling. Well planned and well executed. Regards.

Now that's a column for the ages Colin. I love the sense of space. Nicely captioned by the way.

Thanks Ben, Richard and Amar - I appreciate you commenting.

 

Ben - assuming the basics, a reasonable lens and shutter speed - this was handheld 1/60th at f3.5 at a focal length of 10mm - the apparent sharpness is mostly down to PS. I liked the stone textures of the column and wanted to emphasise that. So I selectively sharpened the column and to a lesser extent other detail areas. The process involves selecting the column area and making a layer of it and using levels to increase contrast then sharpening the layer. Then adjust the layer Opacity so that it appears as fine detail. Sometimes a decrease in saturation of the layer is needed. I ran the shot through neat image which tends to smooth out the tones.

 

Richard, about planning - I have had it in mind to try this shot for some time. Several previous attempts in the past were less successful.

 

Amar, yes indeed, built to last!

 

Hello Colin.

 

A tour de force in photographic and pictorial clarity! The light is fantastic, and the composition creates a grand sence of scale which does perfect justice to this the most lofty of English architectural spaces.

 

Quite beautiful!

 

Regards, Nick.

Rally it is a tour de force. The light, the photometry, and the composition.

But what, really, impresses me is the lone prayer, subtly put as background, immersed in her/his weighty matters of speaking with God, which gives the picture an added symbolism.

Very good, my friend

My, what an image of stability and strength here, Colin! From the thumbnail this looked like a giant leg planted in the middle of a cathedral--no religious symbolism for me in my initial reaction, just massive strength.

 

Upon reflection, there is a great deal to think about, including Alberto's always useful comments.

 

Very nice work.

 

--Lannie

Great sense of perspective with really nice lighting and detail. Well done.

Colin,reverent I am entering into this space.Wonderful start to go further and higher.Nice the accent with the person.Again marvellous.

Very good sense of weight; it reminds me of an elephants leg and foot.

Martin.

colin, thanks for the details, it really helps. yes, elephant's foot, very much so.