Mount Grace Priory, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

This is my first post of the New Year and it coincides with my 400th post. It seems like a good time to start a new series.
Founded in 1398, Mount Grace Priory was home to an order of Carthusian Monks. Unlike some other orders, Carthusian monks lived as hermits in their own cells and didn稚 socialise with each other. Lay brothers provided them with food left in a niche in the wall of their cell.
The church shown here was built for the lay brothers and visitors, as the monks themselves prayed in their own cells. The bell tower was added in 1420 and further additions made in 1530.
When Henry VIII created the English church and cut himself off from Catholicism, an Act of Parliament suppressed all the monasteries in 1536. Commissioners visited each monastery and 菟ersuaded� them to surrender to the king. In 1540 Mount Grace and its lands were sold and the monastery was left to decay. Many monasteries were actually demolished at the time. This became known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Mount Grace Priory can be found on a turning off the A19 between the Thirsk and Northallerton turn-offs. It is now owned and maintained by English Heritage. I'm making use of the membership I bought at Helmsley Castle

Whilst the tripod was level when I took this, as checked on the spirit level, the photo looked tilted. It was difficult to work with as very few of the verticals are parallel. In the end I went by eye.

ktanska, snunney, besnard, Muse, Gerrit, pablominto, papagolf21, cunejo200, leonorkuhn, eska, tcht, chrisnet, UlfE, jwmunro, ChrisJ, Philippe, john_c, Tue, pboehringer, miuky, plimrn, Henryk_Bilor, josepmarin, stego, JCG, peter1892, cobbydale, imrek, sergio1, renerob, singuanti, delkoo, Paolo, sabyasachi1212, John_F_Kennedy, Didi, Rosa_d_MonteLua, elmec, Emile has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ktanska (44766) 2007-01-02 4:23

Hi Kath,
Congratulations!
Well chosen one, quite typical style for you. Strong sense of history on this one. I like how the opening on the right shows shadow and one on the left sunshine.
Kari

snunney (130967) 2007-01-02 4:27

Hello Kath,
Very nice composition that places the Priory nicely in its surroundings. The lighting is very good producing lovely warm colours in the stonework that echo the autumn foliage. I like the reltaivly low pov. Very good clarity. Interesting note.

Lix (0) 2007-01-02 4:32 [Comment]

Show Comment

besnard (59196) 2007-01-02 4:33

Bonjour Kath
Bravo pour ta 400鑪e, elle est superbe. Tu as su mettre ces ruines en valeur par un bel 馗lairage.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journ馥.
Nicole

coco (30439) 2007-01-02 4:43

Hi Kath and congratulations for your 400th post.

The place is quite nice and the light enhances these ruins. Also the green background works well and is a good photo for began the year.

Happy new year.

pat0500 (21561) 2007-01-02 4:52

Hi Kath,
* congratulations for 400i鑪e *..!
* Happy new Year 2007 *...!
You have chance today.....all once..:)
Very good picture here, and good architecture. Very good note who accompanies this beautiful image.
Good shot Kath..!
Best regards,
Patrick

Muse (35030) 2007-01-02 4:57

Hello Kaith,
F駘icitations pour ton 400鑪e post!
Un bon cadrage et une vue tr鑚 nette pour nous faire d馗ouvrir les ruines de cette belle architecture dans un environnement tr鑚 vert qui met bien les pierres en valeur.
Je te souhaite une excellente journ馥
Denise

Gerrit (62042) 2007-01-02 5:35

HI Kath,
Beautiful place and a fine picture with beautiful light and a good POV. The ruin seems very well maintaind with the shaven lawn in front, almost too neat.
Regards, Gerrit

markstaples (15670) 2007-01-02 5:55

I love ruins and you've chosen an excellent POV to present these to us. As always, the colours are lovely and natural and the image is pinsharp. Beautiful work,
Best wishes
Mark

pablominto (53746) 2007-01-02 5:59

Hello Kath,
Good point of view, and the angle of light works very well to create this fine feeling of depth!
Good details in the ancient architecture, and 400 high quality images are simply impressive!
Congrats & Greetings,
Pablo -

papagolf21 (152607) 2007-01-02 6:20

Bonjour, mon amie Kath,
F駘icitations pour cette 400鑪e publication, c'est une v駻itable r騏ssite.
Le sujet est particuli鑽ement int駻essant et la photographie tr鑚 r騏ssie.
Bravo !
Que la paix et la joie de cette F黎e soient avec vous, tous les jours de l'Ann馥 nouvelle!
Meilleurs Voeux 2007 !
Philippe

Buin (42580) 2007-01-02 6:56

Hallo Kath!
A wonderful one! Especially caused by the excellent light conditions and the outstanding building. This must be a very special place with a somehow solemn atmosphere. The picture is perfect in each aspect (in my opinion ;-).
Greetings from stormy and rainy Germany - and by the way: Congratulations !
Frank

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-01-02 7:09

Hi Kath,
Congratulations on this milestone photo and posting. Lovely composed, a classic scene, tech details are quite good. Best wishes. Danilo

cbrman (21685) 2007-01-02 7:35

Hello Kath,

J'aime particuli鑽ement ces ruines que tu as tr鑚 bien saisies ! Bravo pour ton 400鑪e post ! La lumi鑽e sur ces anciennes pierres est tout � fait splendide ! Bien vu !

Bonne Ann馥 2007 !

A+

Dominique

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-01-02 7:53

Hi Kath,

Congratulations for your 400 post. Excellent POV, light, colors and sharpness. Very good shot.
Happy New Year
Leonor

t0mmm1 (5442) 2007-01-02 9:19

Hi Kath,
congratulations on your 400th post and it's nice that you've started a new series with stone bricks. Nice ballanced colours even if I preffer some more sky... why? You know, here in my town the sky is really strange... mostly is totally blue without one single cloud and other times is totally white, without a touch of blue. Yes we have really beautiful weather, but I rarely see this kind of photogenic clouds (like on your pic) and is pretty ussual that I see this kind of photogenic clouds when I'm at work... they are tempting me so much ;))
Oh sorry... probably you don't care for my clouds ;))) but I really like yours and the colours of the stone in the low sunshine (I guess because of warm yellow tones and long shadows).
Have a nice ... may I say year? HAHAHAHA
Good luck!
Tomi

tcht (7565) 2007-01-02 9:39

Hi Kath
Well executed shot with superb framing, well balanced and proportioned; i.e. very good placement of the foundation stones exciting @ corner of the frame. And with that lighting this is excellent work. Btw - happy number 400!
Cheers,
CheukHin

chrisnet (23062) 2007-01-02 9:54

Hello Kath,
Congratulations for this 400鑪e!
Very good framing and light for these ruins, it's very well realised.
Best wishes fo you for the new year!
Christian

vincz (19113) 2007-01-02 10:10

The quality of light is so great here on both the walls and the grass. It is reaching some kind of perfection when looking at details and you played with the shadows. Avery great shot for your 400th. Congratulations!

UlfE (14641) 2007-01-02 10:27

Hi Kath,

Congratulations to your 400th post. Very nice light and a perfect POV. I do not think it could be better from any other angle. As always a very useful and informative note.

Cheers,

Ulf

jwmunro (286) 2007-01-02 10:31

Hello Kath -

A very nice image. I really appreciate your notes and the historical references they making me remember bits and pieces of history and they are giving me the desire to read English history again. Back to the image, I really don't see any problem with the verticals but if you were using the wide end of your zoom you can expect some convergence. The exposure is spot on, as is DOF and sharpness. Well done! Excellent image.

Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year

John

ChrisJ (171822) 2007-01-02 10:33

Hi Kath

Good sharpness, graphism, & lighting, on the old ruined cathedral, with a good pov. Excellent colour & diagonal fg lead in lines. Tfs!

Philippe (11836) 2007-01-02 11:24

Hi, Kath. You've chosen an aperture which gives a lot of depth to your picture. The light-coloured stones stand well out against the green grass and the forest behind. Like many of the abbeys in Yorkshire, Mount Grace Priory is set in an idyllic place.

john_c (24666) 2007-01-02 11:25

Hi Kath,
Congrats on your 400th post. The fine lighting here really does justice to the Priory ruins, with good shadow effects. The trees, especially to the right, really enhance and add body to the scene. Very well captured. Happy New Year.
John

rhizomes (15343) 2007-01-02 11:27

Hi Kath,
Congratulations for this 400th post !! Impressive piece of architecture and great colors.
Christophe

Tue (92370) 2007-01-02 11:28

Hej Kath,
Congratulations on your 400th post! It's a great one again of a high quality! The POV is very well chosen and I like a lot the bright colours as well as the sunlight. Very well done!
I wish you all the best for 2007!
Hilsen,
Lars

pboehringer (770) 2007-01-02 11:30

Yes, finding the right tilt is sometimes quite challenging. It seems to me that your eye found the right equilibrium. The light and colors are very well balanced and the overall composition looks lovely, although the historical background is far from being lovely. From all the english monastery ruins my favorite is the Tintern Abbey. Any chance to see it in your upcoming series?
Greetings, Peter

miuky (3335) 2007-01-02 12:37

Its my Achille's heel...ruins I mean:))
very good pov and exellent dof and colours:))
regards, M.

Graal (103040) 2007-01-02 12:45

Hi Kath,
interesting ruins and note. Congratulations of 400th post! Great sharpness (f/22) and nice natural colours. Good job.
Rgs, Aleksander

plimrn (21344) 2007-01-02 12:50

Hi kath,
Your exceptional organization makes me feel just like I'm settling down with a good book as I contemplate enjoying your new heritage series. This is an auspicious start with the low light highlighting the rock detail and the long shadows providing contrast to the golden stone. The green grass and the blue sky provide a very effective frame.

I have truly enjoyed your sharing many of those 400 photos; they help make TE wonderful.
Health, Love & Joy (HLJ),
Pat

My resolution is to focus on Health, Love & Joy this year. I'm considering using that as a closing salution to keep myself focused on this goal. But I'm afraid it will become trite and hokey. So then I thought of shortening it to HLJ - kinda like IMHO or DOF. I don't know, what to you think?

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2007-01-02 13:02

Hi Kath
Congratulations on your anniversary. Great capture with very good light. Interesting ruins.
Regards

josepmarin (59385) 2007-01-02 14:19

Hello Kath,
Your 400th post! Congratulations!
A great gallery that is growing day after day.
And this photo demonstrates it, is very beautiful, with a perfect work with the light and the shades, a few excellent colors, and an elegant setting that heightens the beauty of these ruins. The a bit long exposure compensated with a minimal opening and the use of the tripod indicates your great skill to us.
Good work, nice photo.
Regards,
Josep

gilou530 (34) 2007-01-02 15:06

hello kath
a first photograph for 2007 equal to those which you stations usually always as well tallied, clear, with well proportioned colors of these English landscapes which pushes me more and more to come to visit this beautiful country, a 400駑 it is proof of a great fidelity YOU who deserves to be congratulated by a great cheer.

JCG (35153) 2007-01-02 15:15

Hi Kath,

I like very much the management of the lights in your compositions, my congratulations for this 400th post. A superb framing ofthese ruins and the soft colors are very beautiful, cheer.

Good and happy year 2007 full with happiness.

Best regards,

Jean-Charles

stego (24132) 2007-01-02 15:24

Hi Kath,
Congratulation for your 400th post! Surely a very nice one, with all the ingredients you use to please us: wise pov, great sharpness, colors and light, informative note.
Isn't that light a bit surprising for a November day in England?
If I had doubts about your perfectionism, I would loose them with this one: using a tripod with such a light, "only" to be able to shoot at f22!?
Great work.
Regards, Jos�.

peter1892 (1681) 2007-01-02 15:24

Hi Kath - 400 posts, quite a milestone! I like the light here, the monastery itself is well lit & colourful, the background & sky are also lit well, there's no sign of any part of the image being either over or under-exposed. As for the horizon, well to me it just looks as if there's a slight slope here, so I think it was probably correct to begin with (as your tripod's spirit level suggested).

cobbydale (1958) 2007-01-02 15:54

Another fine one from you Kath - congrats on your 400th. Nice composition plus very sharp and clear. Re the verticals not being parallel I have a bathroom like that, a nightmare to tile it was :-)
cheers, Leon.

imrek (4) 2007-01-02 17:16

Hi Kath,
what a sharpness courtesy of use a tripod with f22, nice bright colours and good composition...well done!!!
regards,
imre

sergio1 (12152) 2007-01-02 19:02

Hi Kath

Happy New Year and Congratulations.

Ilove the castle you know. ANd i think that this shot is good. Well compesed and wonderful landscape. Perfecto colours and contrast.
Sergio

renerob (601) 2007-01-02 21:16

Hi Kath,
A very nice shot the colours are just superb, with great detail in this shot, your POV is excellent Kath well done.
Regards Irene
All the best for 2007 happy snapping Kath.

singuanti (15250) 2007-01-02 21:39

Hi Kath. Congrats on post #400! I think it was a good one to post. I think you're fine with this one being level. You had just enough wide-angle here. That's an interesting note too. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Congrats again Kath!

Angshu (56760) 2007-01-02 22:48

Hi Kath
A beautiful shot as the first post of the new year. Great light falling on the priory creating a wonderful light/shadow effect. So you carried the trpod around for this place..in the fading light, it has come handy with 1/3 sec exposure. 400 shots & that too with consistent quality! I wonder when I'll reach that milestone if at all.
Best wishes for the new year
Regards
Angshu

delkoo (68) 2007-01-03 4:48

hi kath
congratulations for your 400th photos, it is a very fine view with a beautiful light and details, you have taken care of framing and the result is outstanding.

greetings
didier

Paolo (41258) 2007-01-03 8:38

400, the first of 2007, the new year's day....congratulation Kath!
excellent image, colorful and with a great composition and high quality.
thanks, ciao

lukie (0) 2007-01-03 13:25

Hello Kath,

beautiful ruins with a well conserved tower. I like the bright colors in your photo.

have a nice evening,

Luc.

Stepan (27210) 2007-01-03 14:37

I really like this kind of light. This kind of stones is perfect to produce, in that sunny condition, beautiful colors and textures. Simply great.
I wish you a year of light and colors, to you and your beloved.
St駱hane

maximage (15537) 2007-01-03 15:47

Bonsoir Kath,
F駘icitation pour ton 400th post!
Une belle image tr鑚 nette avec des couleurs naturelles.
Excellent cadrage et note int駻essante.
Amicalement.
max

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-01-04 5:33

This photo is so romantic with the old castle in a frame of the green.
Achim

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-01-04 6:35

Hi Kath,
My best wishes for a wonderful 2007. Keep on clicking and sharing those wonderful images with us. 400 is a long journey but I am sure you have miles to go ... A beautiful capture of the ruins, the green lawn contrasts nicely with the stone architecture. Don't think tilt is an issue here.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

mortijo (12828) 2007-01-04 6:56

Excellent photo with nice, vivid colors. The tilt, if tilt there is, is not bothreing me. The POV is well chosen and the note makes interesting reading.

Didi (61589) 2007-01-04 12:16

Hi Kath
Very good control of the exposure between shades and lights.
Nice point of view of theese ruins.
Your D200 is a good material.
Cheers.

atilgone (0) 2007-01-05 3:59

Hi Kath,

Excelent work. Very sharp and brillant pic. You composed this ruins very nice. I like shadow very much. Thanks for the note.
Kind regards

Rosa_d_MonteLua (1508) 2007-01-05 17:10

Hi Kath!
Another great photo with an excellent prespective.
Good definition and nice colors, with a perfect luminosity.
Fine definition, too!
TFS and have an excellent 2007!
Rosa

elmec (12210) 2007-01-05 17:37

Hello Kath!
I like this photo! There are so magic ruins! And the light makes it like postcard! Amaizing point of view to show the shadows!
Perfect done!
Best regards!

guillaumejm (0) 2007-01-06 17:10

Hello kath,
wonderfull ruins presented in a nice context with this perfect green grass. I like the light on the stones and the colours it gives.
Kind regards
JMarc

bakes888 (18499) 2007-01-09 1:32

Hi Kath. Some shots, especially wide angle with converging or diverging vertical lines, are difficult to get straight and your best tool is your eye. You have a good one. Well composed, good colours, great photo. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

banyanman (7797) 2007-01-16 3:29

Congratulations on 400 posts, Kath - I have enjoyed seeing so much of the UK through your camera lens. Very good DOF but I am amazed that you had to go down to 1/3 sec even at f22, so no wonder you had to use a tripod. I noted your comments about the apparent tilt. It does look tilted to the right to me - I probably would have rotated this to the left a little - if only to correct an optical illusion. Cheers . . . David

Emile (20352) 2007-01-17 23:03

Hola Kath.
Congratulation for your 400th picture posted in TE.
Very good shot with a perfect sharpness, good POV, colors and composition are great. You played very well with light and shadows.
Well done. TFS.