Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Blue439 on March 05, 2017, 01:14:52 pm

Title: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 05, 2017, 01:14:52 pm
“Old stones” are one of my favorite photographic subjects. They often are “landscape-y”, but sometimes not really. They always have a documentary interest, and, I hope, sometimes an artistic one as well. I hope your will enjoy these photos, and of course don't hesitate to critique them, as this is the section for it, and everyone can always benefit from constructive criticism. Thank you very much in advance.

Let me just add that, for me, “old stones” mean “older than 15th century”. Therefore, most of what I will upload will be Mediæval.

The first photo of the series, below, is of the castle of Alleuze in Auvergne (central France). This 12-14th century castle is probably the most romantic ruin of Auvergne.

I upload those photos in 1,000 pixels in their longest dimension, I expect that this will enable you to enjoy them, but let me know if that is too large or too small.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: luxborealis on March 05, 2017, 05:55:34 pm
Great choice of subject, Dominique. There's a lot of character in "old stones".

I like this photograph. The castle ruins are central, which creates a more static image, but the overcast sky adds to the mood.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: RSL on March 05, 2017, 07:49:47 pm
Doesn't look like a comfortable place to live. Interesting stones though.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on March 06, 2017, 05:57:42 am
Yes, keep them coming! I like those old buildings with a lot of character.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 07, 2017, 05:58:33 am
Thank you all for your comments. Here is a photo of the Largoët fortress, which lies deep into a forest in Brittany that was once part of the vast Brocéliande forest, of Arthurian fame. Of course, there is a deep black lake, which in days of yore used to feed water into the castle's moat... An ideal setting or Grail and Round Table legends.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 09, 2017, 01:08:55 pm
And this is the castle of Montbrun. The genuine article as well, but fully restored and modernized inside, with central heating, wifi, jacuzzis and all modern amenities, where Largoët is mostly a ruin (only one tower is partly inhabitable).
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on March 09, 2017, 01:55:00 pm
And this is the castle of Montbrun. The genuine article as well, but fully restored and modernized inside, with central heating, wifi, jacuzzis and all modern amenities, where Largoët is mostly a ruin (only one tower is partly inhabitable).

I very much like that one. It has the best light.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 09, 2017, 03:56:31 pm
I very much like that one. It has the best light.

Thank you, and I would tend to agree with you, but it's also the "easy" light, the golden light that's immediately appealing to most people... and as a photographer, I will not refuse to use it, obviously, but still I'm fully aware that it's also a bit of an el cheapo charm...
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on March 10, 2017, 06:45:51 am
El cheapo charm is not always bad!  ;)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 11, 2017, 05:33:29 am
You're right, François, of course. It's just that it's so "easy"... (as in “I don't deserve this: all I have to do is point and click!”).

Below is a photograph of the magnificent ruins of the Couzan fortress in Auvergne (central France), one of my favorite Midiæval castles in France. The light then and there was a lot more challenging...
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: David Eckels on March 11, 2017, 09:02:58 am
Great idea for a series, but a little heavy on the green saturation on this last one?
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 11, 2017, 09:29:06 am
Great idea for a series, but a little heavy on the green saturation on this last one?

You're quite right, David. I realize this now. I will try to fix it and propose a better version, thank you.

EDIT :
Here it is, I hope it's more realistic. The TIFF looked very good when I opened it in Photoshop, and then I realized that it was during the export to JPEG that the sRGB conversion made the yellows and greens look ugly. To convert my TIFFs to JPEGs, I use the File|Save for web and devices... command, which is very convenient, but maybe there is another, better way?

Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: David Eckels on March 12, 2017, 09:30:18 am
IMHO the new version is much improved and has the bonus of emphasizing the stones better.
As for the color shift upon export, there are many on here that know the technical ins and outs much better than I do; there are also threads on this if you search the forum. I always use the Lightroom export of my PSD files done in ProPhoto color space to create a sRGB JPEG for upload. I have seen no difference in results with PSD or TIFF files.
PS Just a thought: realistic isn't always necessary  :)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: RSL on March 12, 2017, 10:45:06 am
Can you imagine the drafts in a place like that? Especially in the winter!
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 12, 2017, 10:51:21 am
IMHO the new version is much improved and has the bonus of emphasizing the stones better.
As for the color shift upon export, there are many on here that know the technical ins and outs much better than I do; there are also threads on this if you search the forum. I always use the Lightroom export of my PSD files done in ProPhoto color space to create a sRGB JPEG for upload. I have seen no difference in results with PSD or TIFF files.
PS Just a thought: realistic isn't always necessary  :)
Thanks David, I will look into those threads. I have never so far printed my photos myself, I outsource that, therefore and although I have a carefully color-calibrated workflow from the metering (in-camera or with handheld Sekonic) to the post-processing (Eizo monitor), anything “downstream” from there is more alien to me, and that includes JPEG conversion. The only way I more or less know what I'm doing downstream from post-processing itself is CMYK-conversion for book printing.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on March 17, 2017, 07:49:08 pm
The ruins of Château Rocher, also in the Auvergne region. The castle is now closed to the public for restoration works in order to be made safe for public visits again, but I had the right to access as I was commissioned to shoot photos of the castle for the website and for the dossier that had to be filed in order to obtain public funding for part of the repairs. Heck, I was even given the keys to the place!  8)

Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on April 02, 2017, 03:30:07 pm
This is what's left of the castle of Levroux, in central France :

Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on April 09, 2017, 03:48:22 am
Ruins of the Couzan fortress in Auvergne, with thunderstorm approaching (unfortunately, it veered away...):

Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on April 13, 2017, 11:52:13 am
Another view of Montbrun, from the other side :
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: JNB_Rare on April 13, 2017, 12:47:36 pm
Another view of Montbrun, from the other side :

Postcard! Meant in the most complimentary sense.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on April 22, 2017, 03:32:39 am
Thank you !

This is the flat apse of the Romanesque church of the Fontenay abbey in Burgundy. Stonework is early 12th century; stained glass windows are modern (well, 19th century, that is):
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on April 22, 2017, 09:34:26 am
Very nice.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: RSL on April 23, 2017, 10:57:46 am
Good shooting, Dominique. This is wabi sabi at its best.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on April 25, 2017, 05:01:59 am
I love the Fontenay abbey shot. Great that you could get details of the surrounding areas, beyond the stained glass.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on May 02, 2017, 12:09:38 pm
Thank you very much for your comments. I learned what "wabi sabi" is...  ;)

Below is a 10th century Celtic cross I found quite far from Brittany, on the high plains of Aubrac in central France. This area was once colonized by Celts, so no real surprise here...
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on May 07, 2017, 11:24:28 am
The evocative ruins of the Domeyrat castle, in Auvergne (central France):
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on May 13, 2017, 03:34:45 am
Ruins of the Pagax castle in the Limousin region (central France):
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on May 14, 2017, 05:13:18 am
I like your "Aubrac" shot a lot. The sky with the dynamic clouds is well suited to the (static, solid) cross.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on May 20, 2017, 05:16:35 am
Thank you, François.

Below is the keep of the Largoët fortress in Brittany. Only the outside wall remains, the insides have been completely gutted out, but one can still climb the very narrow and claustrophobia-inducing staircase that was built within the thickness of the wall.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on May 26, 2017, 05:22:29 am
The parish church in the mountain village of Saint-Floret in Auvergne, central France. This building saw Year 1000. The top part of the bell tower is not as old (12th century). The most interesting part is the covered and half-walled side entrance, which is quite unique and was designed to protect parishioners from the assaults of inclement weather. The North side of the church is completely windowless, for the same reason.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: riverrat373 on June 02, 2017, 03:56:01 pm
Have you tried converting this photo to B&W?
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on June 03, 2017, 03:24:23 am
No I haven't. I do not do a lot of black-and-white, as a general rule.

Below are the romantic ruins of the castle of Coppel in Auvergne (central France), during winter time:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on June 11, 2017, 01:03:27 pm
The so-called “Devil’s Castle” near the village of Cabrerets in south-western France. There are quite a few “Devil’s Castles” throughout France, so named for various reasons. This one apparently owed its name to the particularly devilish nature of a group of bandits and highwaymen (some say they were from England) that used it a base for a few years.

Hugging the cliff the way it does, it is virtually impregnable, but the space within is scarce, there is no fresh water except when it rains, and other amenities are minimal, not to say non-existent.

It is still nowadays a great sight to behold.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on June 16, 2017, 04:17:51 am
Remains of lordly dwelling in the Mediæval fortress of Angles-sur-l’Anglin, central France:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on June 24, 2017, 04:21:36 am
Montbrun Castle, the entrance:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 01, 2017, 08:39:06 am
Remnants of one of the most bizarrely located Medieval castles, near the village of Peyrusse in southern France:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on July 01, 2017, 09:22:47 am
Fascinating.
Is that a ladder up the side of the rock? It can't have been easy bringing the groceries home.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 01, 2017, 10:17:25 am
Fascinating.
Is that a ladder up the side of the rock? It can't have been easy bringing the groceries home.

Thank you. Yes it is, you still can climb it (although unadvisable when carrying a heavy camera) to access the towers.

They had people bringing in the groceries, and it didn't matter how hard it was.  ::)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on July 03, 2017, 09:41:43 am
…They had people bringing in the groceries, and it didn't matter how hard it was.  ::)

Better start a new diet…  ;D
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 08, 2017, 03:20:43 am
Anjony is one of the best-preserved Mediæval castles in Auvergne (central France):
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Rob C on July 08, 2017, 11:56:10 am
Thank you. Yes it is, you still can climb it (although unadvisable when carrying a heavy camera) to access the towers.

They had people bringing in the groceries, and it didn't matter how hard it was.  ::)


But in the end it finished with tears, and the poor old Cathars were mostly all killed off by even more religious intollerance. You know: kill 'em all; God will know His own. And that but a few hundred years ago. Fast-forward to today.

It makes you wonder: the Christian religion is supposed to be about love, charity and forgiveness, yet all it usually brings when people become fanatics is war, hatred and death, even between tribes that have the same basic belief! You could not make it up. God must despair of what's done in His name.

Rob
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 08, 2017, 07:37:43 pm

But in the end it finished with tears, and the poor old Cathars were mostly all killed off by even more religious intollerance. You know: kill 'em all; God will know His own. And that but a few hundred years ago. Fast-forward to today.

It makes you wonder: the Christian religion is supposed to be about love, charity and forgiveness, yet all it usually brings when people become fanatics is war, hatred and death, even between tribes that have the same basic belief! You could not make it up. God must despair of what's done in His name.

Rob

Hi,

Peyrusse has had nothing to do with Cathars. You're probably mistaking it with Peyrepertuse, which looks and sounds a bit similar but is in a completely different region of France.

As far as gods are concerned, I don't believe in any of them. Religious beliefs are a strange thing, which inspired Man some of his most astonishing creations, and some of his most atrocious deeds. Personally, I steer well clear of any such beliefs.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 22, 2017, 02:28:21 am
The ruins of the Des Cars Castle's keep in the Limousin region. The very tall chimney conduit that survived is a later addition, from early Renaissance.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on July 24, 2017, 10:22:40 am
Impressive perspective!
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on July 30, 2017, 09:01:22 am
Thanks François.

This is a favorite landmark of mine: in a ripe field, a very small, very humble chapel from Year 1000... Some say it does play a key role in the quest for the Holy Grail... Who knows?
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on August 14, 2017, 05:33:52 am
The menhir (standing stone) of Kerloas, the tallest still standing:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on August 20, 2017, 08:46:12 am
Mediæval bridge over the Couze d'Ardes river in Auvergne, central France. This is where I spread part of my Mom's ashes, as this was the river where she played when she was very young.

Such seemingly “impossible” bridges are often referred to as “Devil's Bridges”. When you stand at one end, you cannot see the other end.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on August 26, 2017, 05:22:39 pm
St Fiacre chapel in Concarneau, Brittany. I love the color of granite under a slanted light.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 05, 2017, 02:38:12 am
The unusual ruins of the Allègre castle in Auvergne, central France:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 09, 2017, 02:41:01 am
The ruined church of Quimerc’h in Brittany:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: farbschlurf on September 09, 2017, 03:47:30 am
Looking at all of these pictures really makes me want to travel France again. Are you being paid by the France Tourism?
(Just a joke!)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 09, 2017, 04:13:44 am
Ha ! ha! Thank you! No, I'm not, but that's an idea, now... Maybe I'll drop them an email...  ;)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 21, 2017, 05:37:24 am
The haughty ruins of the Léotoing Mediæval fortress in Auvergne, central France:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 26, 2017, 03:24:39 pm
La Prune ruined Mediæval castle :
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on September 30, 2017, 04:21:44 am
A very old (Mediæval) bridge over the Couze d’Ardes river in Auvergne, central France, now completely overgrown by grass, moss, and vegetation in general, although attempts have been made at clearing it a bit, so that at least its general shape remains visible:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on October 02, 2017, 05:23:10 am
A very old (Mediæval) bridge over the Couze d’Ardes river in Auvergne, central France, now completely overgrown by grass, moss, and vegetation in general, although attempts have been made at clearing it a bit, so that at least its general shape remains visible:

Nice… Is this recent shot? If so then autumn seems to be well past its peak (for foliage)!
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on October 06, 2017, 12:04:39 pm
Nice… Is this recent shot? If so then autumn seems to be well past its peak (for foliage)!
Thanks, François. No, it is not a recent photo, it was taken last winter.

Now, this is the St Samson chapel on the northern coast of Brittany, with a huge granite cross that is very early Middle Ages:
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on October 08, 2017, 07:55:09 am
A wooden cross wouldn't last long on the coast of Brittany ;-)
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on October 13, 2017, 03:46:38 am
Well, François, you know, it would depend on the wood... There are large wood stakes in at least one place I know in Brittany that have been planted into the sea floor to be used as mooring poles for small fishing boats, and those stakes are covered by salt ocean water half the time, almost to the top, and they have been there since... the 6th century AD!

(Yes, you read correctly, the 6th century, not the 16th...)

 ;D

This is another one of the Kerloas Menhir, the tallest standing stone still standing. It is located not far from Brest in central Brittany. A much taller one was in the Morbihan (southern Brittany) but was struck down and broken in two by lightning.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on October 21, 2017, 03:49:27 am
Little chapel lost in the fields...

This is the last “Old stones” photograph that I will post to this site. I still have a few landscape ones that I will post until the end if this year, then I will leave, as my photos have obviously not “met their audience” (as they say) on LL.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: francois on October 21, 2017, 07:04:00 am
Little chapel lost in the fields...

This is the last “Old stones” photograph that I will post to this site. I still have a few landscape ones that I will post until the end if this year, then I will leave, as my photos have obviously not “met their audience” (as they say) on LL.

Too bad because I really enjoyed them!
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on October 21, 2017, 08:07:25 am
I very much enjoy seeing your Old Stones adn Landscapes from France, and I hope to see more.
I think they are well-seen, realistic rather than "spectacular," which may be why you haven't gotten many comments.

I like them and they make me want to get back to France again.
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: Blue439 on October 21, 2017, 08:18:20 am
Thank you François and Eric, I know you two are among the few who ever commented on my photos.

Eric, you are probably right about the "natural" versus "spectacular". I strive to do "natural", i.e., reproduce what my eyes have seen, instead of giving in to the (cheesy, in my opinion) temptation of pushing those Photoshop cursors all the way.

I simply wouldn't have thought that, given the supposedly highly specialized and experienced membership of LL, this was a place where "spectacular" would prevail, just as on Flickr, Facebook, Instagram and the like, where the vulgum pecus reign as masters. I had hoped to find more like-minded, discerning people here, but alas...
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: degrub on October 21, 2017, 09:58:01 am
I very much enjoy seeing your Old Stones adn Landscapes from France, and I hope to see more.
I think they are well-seen, realistic rather than "spectacular," which may be why you haven't gotten many comments.

I like them and they make me want to get back to France again.

i as well. i viewed the intent as more documentary rather than seeking critique. Maybe that is one reason there was not a strong response ?
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: churly on October 21, 2017, 04:31:08 pm
Thank you François and Eric, I know you two are among the few who ever commented on my photos.

Eric, you are probably right about the "natural" versus "spectacular". I strive to do "natural", i.e., reproduce what my eyes have seen, instead of giving in to the (cheesy, in my opinion) temptation of pushing those Photoshop cursors all the way.

I simply wouldn't have thought that, given the supposedly highly specialized and experienced membership of LL, this was a place where "spectacular" would prevail, just as on Flickr, Facebook, Instagram and the like, where the vulgum pecus reign as masters. I had hoped to find more like-minded, discerning people here, but alas...

I think that you are perhaps misinterpreting the response.  There are a lot of good images posted on Lula that get very little response.  What are you trying the achieve by posting?  Do you pose questions that might guide others on what you would like to see critiqued?  Do you want critique?  Do you critique or respond to other posters?  Also, note that there groups of folks here that tend to respond to each other because they converse enough to have formed a personal bond based partly on personality but mostly based on the desire to communicate.  I think the very effort of joining the conversation and being part of the conversation is the value of Lula.  I personally haven't had much time for the conversing on Lula recently but I don't draw the conclusion that lack of comment is due to an audience that is seeking the spectacular.  I think you should stay on and join the conversation.  That is where the value is.

Best,
Chuck
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: VladR on January 12, 2018, 12:21:27 pm
Your photographs of castle ruins are beautiful.  Do not misinterpret lack of response as a negative.  Many people, myself included, appreciate the beauty within an image and are simply content to move on without leaving an impression.  There are many other sites such as Flickr, PhotoNet, Instagram etc where feedback is more prolific, but the substance of that feedback often rings hollow and superficial.  Be happy and keep shooting (and posting).
Title: Re: Old stones in France
Post by: David Eckels on January 12, 2018, 08:10:50 pm
What Chuck and Vlad said, Eric too, hear, hear!