Cape Dutch, a photo from Western Cape, West

Photographer's Note

Tulbagh is a wonderful place to visit for anyone interested in the vernacular Cape Dutch architecture. The combination of whitewashed walls, Dutch gables, reminiscent of Amsterdam, thick wattle and daub walls and thatch is synonymous with early Cape farm and town-houses.
Tulbagh is a small agricultural town in an area called the Boland (‘highland’) The valley was first discovered by European settlers in 1658 and land grants were made to 14 farming families in 1700. The town itself was developed in 1743 when the church was built. Post the 1969 earthquake every historic home in Church Street was painstakingly restored to its original glory. These 32 buildings now constitute the largest concentration of National Monuments in a single street in South Africa.
The village which inevitably grew up about the church was formally established in 1795, and was named in honour of Ryk Tulbagh, former Governor of the Cape, 1751-71.
The church is built in the shape of a Greek cross, as was traditional for the earliest Cape churches) and is the oldest church building in the Cape still standing more or less in its original form. Today the church is a museum
This photograph is copyright of Rosemary Walden - © Rosemary Walden 2012. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of the image in any form is prohibited. You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download, distribute or exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system

timecapturer, snunney, carlo62, mayjayne, jlbrthnn, jlbrthnn, williewhistler, TopGeo, jjcordier, bukitgolfb301, Highmountains has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

siudzi (23837) 2012-10-27 0:00

Hi Rosemary,
Lovely architecture captured so nice with its charming surroundings! Excellent quality of this image -- perfect sharpness, clarity and saturation. Very well done. Beautiful composition.

Have a nice weekend!
Malgorzata

Wahclellaspirit (3843) 2012-10-27 0:12

The angle you chose to hold the outer walls and bring us into the Church itself is perfect, as is the lighting with the stark white and deep blue sky.
Beautiful image Rosemary...
Steve

Nicou (97543) 2012-10-27 2:18

Hello

quel cpatage et iamge sueprbe vue quelle architecture et iamge et ce blanc qui ressort sueprbe iamge.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

timecapturer (30226) 2012-10-27 3:00

Hi Rosemary
a glorious mixture of colours and shapes here that all seem to complement each other so beautifully. Your usual accomplished execution and a delightfully presented image.

Enjoy your weekend - best wishes Brian.

snunney (67228) 2012-10-27 4:00

Hello Rosemary,
A splendid capture of this delightful architecture. A well composed shot with the building placed off-centre and utilising the framing offered by the tree. Well exposed and having good colours and sharpness.

carlo62 (12492) 2012-10-27 4:06

Ciao Rosemary
lo splendido cielo azzurro contrasta con il candore della bella costruzione. Interessante la nota con i riferimenti architettonici.
Saluti
Carlo

marabu61 (3869) 2012-10-27 6:16

Hello Rosemary
a very nice example of cape duch architecture set in a pleasing garden with a gorgeous light. This is a very fine composition indeed.
have a good weekend and greetings from snowy Switzerland
Daniel

mayjayne (2792) 2012-10-27 6:38

Hi Rosemary,

Yes, what a coincidence....I did not manage to visit Tulbagh during my last visit as I was driving from up north to Eastern Cape...ut I really love the Cape Dutch architecture such as yours posted here.

TFS,
May

Sergiom (39122) 2012-10-27 7:12

Bonjour Rosemary,

J'aime beaucoup cet endroit. Le point de vue est superbe et le cadrage bien choisi .Le blanc du mur semble capter toute la lumière disponible à cet endroit et se distingue bien du bleu du ciel.

Bon samedi

Serge

rychem (9175) 2012-10-27 8:53

It is really a beautiful architecture with many decorative details, great light, colors and clarity of the photo, perfectly done
regards
Ryszard

Noel_Byrne (7259) 2012-10-27 9:25

Hi Rosemary,
This is fascinating architecture, the beautiful detail on the plain windowless walls is beautiful. I love that you have this set to the right of the image too, to show the extend of the decorated surrounding wall as well. And of course, wonderful blue sky against white buildings is always a treat!
All the best
Noel

dkmurphys (36727) 2012-10-27 9:59

Hi Rosemary,
The colonial heritage of South Africa is amazing and fits perfectly the splendid nature. Well composed scene, have a calm evening.

Daniel

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-10-27 11:31

Hello Rosemary,
The architecture is amazing. The good management of light allows us to see the details on the white walls. The rating is helpful. The quality is excellent. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

emka (58024) 2012-10-27 11:44

Nice old architecture, for me, it looks more Italian than Dutch. Many beautiful details, like the shell on the top. Excellent composition and light management. Charming photo.
regards from Warsaw, which is covered by snow :(
MAlgo

williewhistler (7229) 2012-10-27 12:33

Hello Rosemary,I guess that it would have been easy to burn out those detail in the white washed walls,as it is all of the most interesting features are visible in a thoughtful composition.
I do enjoy the blue and white contrast.
Kind regards Les.

TopGeo (37994) 2012-10-27 12:38

Hi Rosemary,
This is fascinating architecture, the beautiful detail I like this! Wonderful lines and POV that captivates the imagination by showing us intriguing gave a good look of details. Very nice architecture capture with perfect formats and perfect sharpness with a super original POV,
I like a lot the colors A nice idea of look and how you composed the image.
Congratulations and TFS
Best regards
Georgios

jjcordier (62280) 2012-10-27 12:55

Rosemary
Excellente photo de cette église blanche à l'architecture particulière. Une jolie composition, une exposition parfaite et de superbes couleurs.
Amicalement
JJ

bukitgolfb301 (30039) 2012-10-27 17:02

Hi Rosemary

Wow--- so vivid and impresive color contrast of pure white with so deep blue. Anothe great shot you did, best suitable to see in the moroning of weekend.
Marvelous color touch and perfect ftamework.
Thank you for your sharing with your best job and have a good Sunday!

Takero from Tokyo

Highmountains (1834) 2012-10-28 5:15

It is a beautiful piece of architecture amidst rich greenery and clear blue sky.
The contrast has been heightened by the deep colours against the white colour of the walls and artwork on the facade of the building.
The tall trees on either side and low well trimmed bushes in the foreground - before the simple gate, speaks of excellence in composition.
Thanks for sharing.