Mount Grace Priory II, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

For my second post from Mount Grace Priory I have chosen this image of the east fa軋de. Founded in 1398, Mount Grace Priory was home to an order of Carthusian Monks. For more information please click the link above.

On the grass behind the cross, if you look carefully you can see parallel markings just within the walls. These are where the monk痴 stalls were located, although, as I explained in my previous post, the monks lived solitary lives eating and praying in their own cells and didn稚 use the church very often. In between the monk痴 stalls you can just make out the markings of a tomb. This is thought to be the resting place of Thomas Beaufort, the priory痴 patron. I can稚 find out if the cross is marking anything in particular. It is not shown in any of the photos in the booklet I bought, or on anything I can find on the 創et. I assume it is a recent addition.

I have an alternative shot in the WS. This one is very centrally composed and I know that is not ideal and I usually try and avoid that, although in this case I prefer it to the de-central composition in the WS. What do you think?

parbo, ktanska, besnard, papagolf21, snunney, UlfE, jaywalker, leonorkuhn, JCG, ivo, cunejo200, Philippe, josepmarin, riclopes, cobbydale, peter1892, Rosa_d_MonteLua, alvaraalto, Tue, jwmunro, pboehringer, abulafia, tcht, axiotea, imrek, Gerrit, john_c, siolaw, Didi, Emile has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ben4321 (9875) 2007-01-05 5:15

It's a small point, and forgive me for being so pedantic, but I would have preferred it if you had taken a step to your left so that the cross in the foreground was in line with the centre of the archway. This would also have brought the second archway in line with the first.
Having chosen the central composition, I think this small change would have made this even better.
That aside, this is a great shot, colourful and taken in good light. Apart from the point outlined above, I don't have a problem with the central composition, I think it works well, although maybe you could have cropped a bit off the right so that the tower was perfectly centred.

Cheers,
Ben

[3] +

PixelTerror (0) 2007-01-05 5:16

Hi Kath, and best wishes for the new year !
Nice old ruin, I like here the good light conditions that make the stone glow and contrast against the sky, having seen both versions I tend to lean towards the WS, not really because it is less centered but because it shows as well the nice wall to the right of the tower.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

ALIRIZA (16423) 2007-01-05 5:17

Hi Kath,
Beautiful place and a fine picture with beautiful light and a good POV. Green and blue colours tone are excellent. Congratulations my friend... Happy New Year. Best wishes for you and your family this year.
Have a nice weekend...
Ali Rıza

parbo (11092) 2007-01-05 5:27

Hello Kath,

Your excellent usage of lights is creating skillful frame with great stone texture on fa軋de and walls too. Green ground and splendid blue sky is creating good contrast and I like also your next view after main door too. Congratulations.

I wish you and your family a healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year too.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

ktanska (44464) 2007-01-05 5:33

Hi Kath,
Also this central composition works well. Lots of different forms, sidelight that shows every little detail on that wall. I like also shadows on the right, whey would make a good detail shot.
I also noted your English Heritage theme and would have thought that more of those would fit there. You are the primary source of English heritage (with small 'h') here in TE!
Kari

besnard (59196) 2007-01-05 5:39

Bonjour Kath
Superbes ces ruines qui se d騁achent sur un ciel bien bleu. Clich� bien saisi pour nous faire appr馗ier l'importance de ces b穰iments.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journ馥.
Nicole

papagolf21 (152605) 2007-01-05 5:41

Bonjour, ch鑽e voisine,
Je me r駛ouis de pouvoir admirer ces merveilleux vestiges passant les si鐵les avec bonheur. La photographie est particuli鑽ement r騏ssie. J'aime les ombres des baies qui se portent sur le mur de droite.
La qualit� g駭駻ale est remarquable.
Merci, Kath, pour l'autre photo pr駸ent馥 en atelier.
Adorant l'architecture, je suis servi !
Amiti駸.
Philippe

Albrecht (11283) 2007-01-05 5:54

Hi Kath
Wonderful scene;great colours and good compo;lovely weather to be there with the camera.
greetings Albrecht

sandpiper (6788) 2007-01-05 6:00

Can't believe how green the grass is, its years since I've seen grass that green.
Anyway I like the WS better, though this one is still quite interesting.

arjun_das (1851) 2007-01-05 6:23

excellent capture of the architectural beauty of the buildings even though most part of it is now destroyed. use of light is wonderful. also wonderful is the colours. nice pov as well. tfs.

regards,
arjun

snunney (130967) 2007-01-05 6:46

Hello Kath,
A beautifully lit shot nicely composed with the cross in the foreground taking the eye through the ruins of the priory to the tree beyond. The shadows on the right hand wall add further interest. Good colours and definition.

UlfE (14641) 2007-01-05 7:04

Hi Kath,

I thought when I commented your previous shot that you could not have chosen a better angle but I was was misstaken, This one is better. I really like this shot, very nice colours and excellent sharpness, but the first thing I noticed was that cross was not centered and then I had a feeling that the tower was slighly leaning to the left. And when I checked this I found that the left side of the tower was straight but not the right side. Perhaps a step to the left would have corrected that too. Have a nice week-end!

Cheers,

Ulf

coco (30439) 2007-01-05 7:28

Hi Kath.
The light draw beautiful shadows and silhouettes in this photo. But gothic silhouettes, like the archs at the right.
This ruins are beautifu. I think that I love this kind of places and this capture is very good too. And for me better than the WS (perhaps because the light here create an interesting contrast: horizontal shadows with a frontal composition).

But, what is sure is that I like it.

Regards.

jaywalker (16105) 2007-01-05 7:29

Hi Kath, Great photo the colours are wonderfully vivid, good POV i have read your answer to ben4321 about the step to the left to line up the cross, the shadows of the arched windows on the wall to the right have been captured superbly well, the building stands out very well against the sky, i like it & TFS your note helps a great deal, kind regards Wilson.

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-01-05 7:33

Hi Kath,

Very good capture with many details. Excellent POV and frame. Good colors and light. I like the shadows in the wall. I prefer the WS because it not show the new building.
Greetings,
Leonor

JCG (35153) 2007-01-05 7:45

Hi Kath,

These vestiges are superbly emphasized in the image but I prefer the WS which, I find, give more relief to these ruins and which emphasizes more the cross on the ground. However qualities of the photograph are undeniable, I like much the light which gives very beautiful colors and clearness is very appreciable. Beautiful and very interesting work, cheer.

Best regards and a good WE,

Jean-Charles

ivo (376) 2007-01-05 8:25

Hi Kath,
Composition ****
Subject ***
Perspective ****
Colour and light ****
Crop ***
Frame ***
Sharpness ****
Generally ***
Note ****
Best regards,
Emma

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-01-05 9:45

Hi Kath,
The colors are so true, the light sweet, and composition quite appealing. Best wishes. Danilo

carper (96) 2007-01-05 10:01

a very good photo job here Kath,
very nice point of view, good looing through, fine light, good colours and very nice balance, well it's a succes i think, good job.
gr. jaap

plimrn (21344) 2007-01-05 10:05

Hi Kath,
The light, color and detail is wonderful in both shots; especially the arched shadows on the wall. This was doesn't have the feel of a centralized photo to me because of the irregularity of the tower and the ruins. There is something I like about the the angle the eye takes relative to the cross in the WS. In this one, I very much like the contrast between the ruin and the well maintainde building that looks like it is from the same era. Also in this one, you can see the monks' stalls better so overall, I prefer this one.
Regards, Pat

josepmarin (59385) 2007-01-05 12:21

Hello Kath,
Another beautiful photo of this Priory, here the POV obtains an angle of the light most advantageous, which gives a few beautiful shades and a few more alive and nice colors that in your previous post of the same place.
The centered setting it gives us a good symmetry.
It is a great work.
Regards,
Josep

dkeus31 (27739) 2007-01-05 12:45

Hello Kath,
Nice light on this old ruin of an impressive church. That gives much details in the walls.
Regards
Didier

chrisnet (23062) 2007-01-05 12:52

Hello Kath,
Another good shot of these ruins, the light and colors are superb,good framing too, it's well seen and composed.
Regards
Christian

riclopes (35577) 2007-01-05 12:56

Well Kath, I thought about the cross and then saw the excellent critic of Ben. I tend to agree with him, but I would mix his idea with the one of Leonor. I mean, I prefer this POV (with a step to your left) but the other non central composition avoiding the renovated building in the background, showing this way only old ruins. They are tricky and I admire your patience in trying to figur out what were the correct lines to make this straight. I wouldn't look for such perfection. I like the alignement refered by Ben and the shadows on the wall at right. The quality is of course impecable as usual.
Ricardo
p.s.- the shots are taken and it's easy to talk afterwards. If I had to choose I'd choose this one because of the alignement of the arches.

cobbydale (1958) 2007-01-05 13:35

The light is superb, with nice vivid colours and good sharpness. I prefer this to the WS, the central positioning is counteracted by the overall asymmetry of the shot with the wall on the right and building on the left (whereas I find the broken wall on the right in the WS a bit distracting).
cheers, Leon.

t0mmm1 (5442) 2007-01-05 13:50

Hi Kath,
wonderful view through the arches, really nice. I agree with Ben about the cross in this central composition, but yes, it's difficult to see it right there. Anyway I like also the picture in the WS... and now I'm confused... don't know which one I like best ;))
Have a nice weekend,
Tomi

gilou530 (34) 2007-01-05 15:34

salut kath
un autre cadrage de ces ruines bien choisi, la lumi鑽e est aussi bonne que la pr馗馘ente, un beau travail encore
amiti駸
gilbert

peter1892 (1681) 2007-01-05 16:16

Hi Kath - I prefer the 'original' composition over that in the WS. Rules are there to be broken after all! :)

Light & colours are excellent again, and those shadows on the wall on the right of the shot look great too.

Stepan (27210) 2007-01-05 16:23

You have an amazing light here (and I know what I'm talking about !!). Colors and textures (as in the former post) are incredible. That's really impressive. Classical but effective pov.
St駱hane

vincz (19113) 2007-01-05 16:54

Excellent light again which results in so beautiful colours on the stones on the grass. It seems that there were perfectly good light conditions that day to highlight your personal style at its best. Your compsotion with the cross then the 2 doors, then the grass again is excellent.

Rosa_d_MonteLua (1508) 2007-01-05 17:07

Hi Kath!
Excellent photo with good sense of depth.
Wonderful colors and perfect light.
I like your POV on this lovely picture!
TFS and have an excellent 2007!
Rosa

alvaraalto (42804) 2007-01-05 17:36

Hi Kath,
Although maybe not so artistic as the WS, I prefer this one. This POV gives a perfect architectural image. The low sun draws sharp lines. A great illustration for a book about old English churches.
Groet Rob

Tue (91536) 2007-01-05 19:04

Hej Kath,
I love the very pleasant and bright colours in this photo. Also the light as well as the play of light and shadow on the buildings are really nice. Well captured and thanks for sharing!
Hilsen,
Lars

jwmunro (286) 2007-01-05 22:18

Hello Kath -

Both versions are presentable but the WS images needs a bit of free transform before it is ready for prime time. I don't mind the center composition once in a while especially when it works as this one does, the tree framed in the passageway is a nice touch. Exposure is spot on with some nice details in the shadows. Well done! Excellent image!

Thank you for sharing

John

pboehringer (770) 2007-01-05 23:40

The analysis of the main post and the WS took me a long time to come up with an opinion. Additionally going through the critiques cost me another time ... but I think it was worth it. Such post really help to learn a lot. One of the things that I learned quite fast at TE was about positioning of the main object or the setting up the composition and both posts here are all about this issue. I'm sure that I cannot add anything substantial to the discussion but I feel a lot like Ben WX.
TFS, Peter

abulafia (4900) 2007-01-06 1:09

Hi Kath
This priory looks great. the colors are really good.
I think the central position works fine here, maybe because there is so much else in the picture than the priory itself, and because it is so detailed. The shadows on the wall in the right side are really nice.
TFS
Harry

Philippe (11836) 2007-01-06 4:07

Hi, Kath. The light conditions were excellent here. I don't have anything against a centred composition with architecture shots. It allows you to show the symmetry in the construction and offers a good view through the arch, which you don't have in the WS version. I also like the shadows on the wall on the right.

tcht (7565) 2007-01-06 4:14

Hi Kath
That's a very nice 'tunnel effect'! Really good composition. Lights and shadows look perfect to me and I especially like the details of the shadow of facade on the right. Great tech quality in this work of very fine details. And I prefer this to WS simply cuz of the symmetry and 'straight forward' composition.
Cheers
CheukHin

axiotea (21651) 2007-01-06 5:37

Bonjour Kath,
I couldn t tell you which photo I do prefer, maybe that one rather the one on the WS, because of parallel markings just within the walls, the red roofs which give more color constrasts - Anyay, both of its look great...
Cheers,
Marilyn

delkoo (68) 2007-01-06 7:35

hi kath
a good light to highlight this ruins of mount grace, nice colours too, i do like the shadows on the right wall,making us discover the back part of the church.
greetings

didier

drago (4832) 2007-01-06 7:53

Kath hi,splendid compo,great light and beautiful vivid colours,the cross in the middle,everything in the right balance!Well done
Panagiotis

imrek (4) 2007-01-06 7:57

Hi Kath,
the low evening light is always the best part of day to taking a photos, very good result and great colours...well done!!!
regards,
imre

Gerrit (62042) 2007-01-06 10:13

hI kATH,
VERY GOOD LIGHT AND AN EXCELLENT pov. fANTASTIC SHOT,
REGARDS, gERRIT

john_c (24666) 2007-01-06 12:35

Hi Kath,
Well composed with very fine lighting and shadow effects. There is good clarity of detail, and I like the view of the secondary building in the left foreground, where the red roof introduces another colour to the scene. Although this shot is centrally composed, it works better than the WS and you can defy the normal rule because there is a great tunnel like view through the centre to the trees and grass area beyond. Additionally, although not technically part of the main structure, the wall on the right (or facade) seems to merge with the central structure, reducing further the aspect of a lone structure set centrally in the frame. At least that is my viewpoint!
John

Poacher (183) 2007-01-06 15:15

Love it Kath the colours and light are beautiful well done

markstaples (15670) 2007-01-06 15:48

Another quality shot Kath. Beautiful lighting and colours. I like them both, but am drawn more to the WS, although there's very little in it. Hard to say why really. Very nice work Kath.
Mark

siolaw (38294) 2007-01-06 20:27

Hi Kath,
A strong picture reminding us the passing of time, nicely composed with a centered approach, great colors, sharpness and an interesting note
Regards
Laurent

Didi (61589) 2007-01-07 11:08

Hi Kath
Your county is very rich of history, architecture and landscapes.
Very good lights on theese stones; I prefer this one because on the other one tou cuted a little the foreground.
Cheers.

sergio1 (12152) 2007-01-07 17:39

HI Kath

I love the castle. Do you know??? And this compo is perfect... Nice compo and pov. I like the perspective to archs and crew.
The colours and lights are beauty too.
Sergio

Rgs

Angshu (56760) 2007-01-07 22:40

Hi Kath
What a light..wow! Superb effect of light & shadow on the ruins of the Priory. Framing is perfect & I love the shadow of the central structure with the windows on the wall to the right. Your WS view with the off-centre framing is excellent too where the shadows are more prominent..seeing the critiques, I see your string with Ben & learn more about composing. Superb quality as usual
Regards
Angshu

mickyg (815) 2007-01-13 16:06

very nice crisp shot with vivid colours due to the CP .. I would maybe have cropped of the left side up-to the buttress wall to eliminate the houses at the back .. this would have de-centralised the main tower a little .. just my opinion of course

Emile (20352) 2007-01-17 23:09

Hola Kath.
Another great shot of the interesting ruins, you captured it with good light and POV. Your WS is another excellent shot, just with a different POV. Well done. TFS.

vbl (1421) 2007-03-03 18:19

Hi Kath:
nice image and beautiful place. Nice colours and excelent light
Good sky
regards vanessa