Wheal Coates Mine - the Arsenic Calciner

Not sure whether this is Landscape or Architecture. A bit of both -

but the architecture is tending to become landscape. This is another

building at Wheal Coates, an abandoned tin mine on the north coast

of Cornwall, UK. The ores that were mined here were high in arsenic

so were calcined, or baked, to drive off the arsenic before

smelting. The vapours were then processed to recover the arsenic.

The two-stage building reflects the two stages of this process.

 

The colours of the vegetation are typical of the Cornwall coastline -

a mixture of yellow gorse and purple heather - all the more

remarkable as the highly toxic arsenic kills plantlife as well as

people. Nature wins!

 

All comments welcome!

The mine in thirds, converging lines, well composed shot. And very good handling of dynamic range. A bit lens flare, not a major issue. And the same question as in the Wheal Coates mine, the sun as second center of interest ? I think its ok, my eyes go to the right, then to the sun

Matej, thank you.

 

Carsten, thanks, I had a good time here photographing all the old buildings. Having had time to think about it I now would have looked for some other shots but I find it takes me rime to tune in to a place. For me the main subject is the building then as a second subject the light on the left foreground. Only then to the sun so I see it as a clockwise circle.

Colin, it is again like a round trip as the other version. The FG. mine buildings with the pointed roofs are taking you in as a prominent ellement, and they really are looking like rocks, they are so color and form blended in the slop's texture. The next attraction is the sky UR corner that opens in a vast triangle of textures and colors, " meeting" the sun on the way( yes another center of attraction) and coming back to the slop . I like the way you rendered both compositions.

I can't talk about technical details, just feel. I like the fg prominence against the distant light horizon reflected its shimmering path on the water.

If landscape or architecture,i recognize you.Two elements shown together and you who delivers the dephth of nature.The perspective is dreamy.I like the privacy under the sky and how the serious mine faces the sun,who lightly covers the land. Wonderful atmosphere.

Colin, I checked your portfolio after I had read your comment to the recent Carsten's submission. I was really impressed. Your vision of photography is very similar to my own, your exhaustive and fascinating comments add even more interest to your beautiful photos. You are very lucky that you live in the UK - plenty of coasts there 8^D . It was always my dream to visit your beautiful country and Cornwall is definetely on the top of my list - a place that I must see. I promise to be a frequent guest in your gallery.

 

Getting to the point, the composition of this photograph is conventional yet powerful. The building is an obvious point of interest but the sun conquers with it. Much like in reality when we look against the sun, we squint trying to see the details in the backlit building. The colouring of this photo is subtle (what appeals to me), so the borders are less pronounced loosing with the contrasty scene in the center. But when we look closer there are many delicate lines that are pointing towards the Arsenic Calciner (clouds, waves) which at the same time links the more pronounced lines of the road and the cloud just above the horizon. Thus the whole composition emphasizes the main theme which is the ruined building. Splendid.

 

I still have some reservations concerning the filter used here. I think you could have used a 0.9 ND Grad and expose for a half or one stop longer. It would have reduced the contrast between the sun and the buiding a little bit and this way you would have got a classic image. Still it is a very successful landscape photograph that evokes many different feelings and associations. Congratulations and regards, Michal.

Another gorgeous shot, Colin! Definitely a landscape in my book!! :-) Did you use your blending of shots (I know that's not the right term here) to get a broad dynamic range as in the other shot? I really like all of the detail in the foreground and the gorgeous sky. Havin' fun with your new camera...... :-D

Thanks everyone!

 

Michal, you may be right about the ND grad. Here I was trying to keep the building a relatively dark mass against the brighter sea and sky.

 

Lou Ann, this was a single shot (as most sensible people do!)

Often times, images can fit into more than one category. But I think as you pointed out the architecture here fits into the landscape. Again, nicely captured image Colin and well composed with the structure slightly off centered.

Not the easiest of exposures Colin. I enjoyed Michal's comments very much. Not sure about the ND filter myself -- the sky here ended up darker than I would expect, yet the sun seems just about right. Like I said rather tricky.

 

Also I like your take on this one 'architecture is tending to become landscape'. This is really your subject: the ruins returning to nature. This has a pleasing resonance...

Beautiful lighting, Colin. The clouds in the sky seem to follow the land angle. Well composed.

Very Good. The light and sky are awesome.

Regards, Martin.

Thought I commented this one already, but I see I didn't :-) this one's more balanced in light imo but at the price of a more burned out sun. Still tremendous shot that will look great on a wall I think. atmosphere, theme, light and comp, altoghether a lovely image.

I like the colours of the foreground and the composition with this triangle formed by the line of the clouds and the line of the coast. Yet I would have liked a less sparkling sun, perhaps some minutes later when it is just on the horizon line and partially hiden by the long cloud.

Very good shot Colin. I can see this is a great place for a photographer.

Very nice shot. The clouds give a nice perspective.

I'd say both categories; anyway, a beautiful shot with the converging lines of shy and shore that points to the ruins.

Thanks everyone!

 

Wilson, the flare required some PS work and tended to make it look too saturated so it was a bit of a balance.

It's a beauty of a documentary shot. Carefully composed and carefully exposed. I love it, Colin.

Beautiful shot... I love the sky, colour of water, all scene is great! Thank you for sharing

Well seen subject, beautiful light and composition. Well done in every way.

Colin, this almost looks like a mythical place. The composition is sweet and so are the colors -- pleasing and appealing. What a vista! - Maria