The End of an Era Photo

Photographer’s Note

These big buildings are an integral part of the Brittany landscape. In many villages they were built near the church to host communities of nuns. Very often the nuns were running there schools or retirement houses. The nuns, who were typically dressed in black robes, have now more or less disappeared from Brittany and the time has come for these buildings to disappear as well. In a few months the one above, which was built in 1854 by The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will be destroyed and replaced by an ugly modern building made out of concrete which will host a thalassotherapy center. Nuns dressed in black will be replaced by half naked people enjoying seaweed baths, seaweed body wraps, hydrotherapy, massage, marine based facials, steamrooms, and beauty treatments...

john_c, danos, bostankorkulugu, dhurjati, sabyasachi1212, dareco, patdeph, Loic_bzh, japiey, Floydian, siolaw, MarcT, maltese, Cretense, JCG, gneufeld, ribeiroantonio, jmcl, Photo65Net, Graal, leo61, pasternak, AiresSantos, cunejo200, axiotea, testmaniac, jlbrthnn, Paolo, stego, Wanda1, elmec, ChrisJ, josepmarin, Dyerco, Philippe, gary91, ifanik, Budapestman, Didi, John_F_Kennedy, jwmunro, Henryk_Bilor, bakes888, pablominto, gmg, kiwi_explorer, daddo, riclopes, fulvio52 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dhurjati (2827) 2007-11-08 22:23

Hi Vincent,
Beautiful shot.The angle the building creates with the frame has really made the difference.The warm golden tone of colour fits very nicely here.
Greetings from India,
Dhurjati

sabyasachi1212 (19528) 2007-11-08 22:35

Hi Vincent,
Excellent use of the wide angle to capture this massive architecture with the wonderful light on it. Perhaps some problem with the compression led to the pixelations in the sky.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

PS : Bhutan was an wonderful experience, specially so since my visit coincided with the festival in Bumthang.

Stepan (27167) 2007-11-08 22:51

Une lumière et un contraste extrêmes et extra. Cela flamboie et c'est très fort en impact. Belle diagonale également.
Stéphane

dareco (17024) 2007-11-09 2:20

How sad that this building will be destroyed. Fantastic architecture!! Beautiful lighting and pov. This is so sad to me, I'm surprised the people aren't protesting this!!! TFS

saigon (5464) 2007-11-09 2:54

salut VINCENT.
belle lumiere de fin de journée sur cette facade!
avec en prime un ciel tres...menacant!
amitiés ensoleillés....aldo.

patdeph (17452) 2007-11-09 2:59

bonjour Vincent
cette église et ces bâtiments ,éclairés d'une superbe lumière,de détachent à merveille du ciel presque noir!J'aime bien les lignes en diagonales,dont le graphisme est adouci par la façade du clocher et par les branches de l'arbre.Je trouve un peu dommage de détruire cet ensemble,ils auraient peut-être pu l'utiliser pour autre chose,en faire des logements ou je ne sais quoi,plutôt que le remplacer par un truc moderne!
Bonne journée.
Pascale

Loic_bzh (6945) 2007-11-09 3:02

Salut Vincent,

ta photo est superbe. L'éclairage fait ressortir tous les détails des bâtiments et le contraste avec le ciel sombre est du plus bel effet.

Qu'est-ce qui sera détruit, au juste? Pas la chapelle, j'immagine...

Bonne journée,

Loïc

Angshu (33324) 2007-11-09 3:06

Hello Vincent
You captured the massive and majestic building in magical light. Contrast is fantastic against the deep grey sky and the diagonal compo. helps. Very good shot.
Regards
Angshu

bostankorkulugu (33334) 2007-11-09 4:51

reminds me of the sohts of JB with that golden touch.... i like the grey sky behind this golden glow also...

cheers vincent

krkt

japiey (9471) 2007-11-09 5:34

Hi Vincent,

Beautifull shot.
The low POV makes this look gorgeous..
Salutes, dear friend for this golden share.

jean paul

Floydian (30970) 2007-11-09 6:42

Hi Vincent,
Ah, this one i like more than your previous one. Stunning light you have here in an excellent perspective on the building. The contrast is deep and full of drama with that dark grey sky in the back...i like it.
Have a nice weekend, Henk

siolaw (25702) 2007-11-09 6:59

Salut Vincent,
Sympa le POV qui accentue l'aspect imposant de ces édifices. La lumière est bien sur spéciale et réchauffe aussi les couleurs. Bonne netteté des détails.
Amicalement
Laurent

batalay (20704) 2007-11-09 8:20

Hello Vincent,

This is a very dramatic image, the well-lit building against a dark sky. The colors and resolution are first rate,

Warm regards,

Bulent

prumod (8258) 2007-11-09 8:41

hi vincent...
very god crop of this building... dark sky gives a perfect contrast to enlight the beauty of this architecture...
greetings...

MarcT (20983) 2007-11-09 8:50

Salut Vincent,
superbe perspective croissante et excellent contraste entre le ciel et les bâtiments.
@+
Marc

maltese (21531) 2007-11-09 9:25

Salut Vincent
Tu sembles nostalgique que le bikini remplace la cornette!!
C'est vrai que la Bretagne ne serait pas la Bretagne sans ces congrégations religieuses et c'est toujours rageant de voir détruire ce qui fait partie de la vie locale, je suis bien d'accord avec toi!!
Une superbe lumière sur ces murs.
Amicalement
Hervé

jonathan_hart (22564) 2007-11-09 9:35

bonjour Vincent
un contraste framppant antre le ciel menaçant et le bâtiment éclairé par une lumière très particulièrement dorée, joli
amicalement
jo

Cretense (54926) 2007-11-09 11:15

Hi Vincent!

This is a very impressive building but the way that you captured it is brilliant and very original. Fantastic perspective and composition and magic evening light. Congratulations!

Hercules

JCG (24857) 2007-11-09 11:26

Bonsoir Vincent,

Ah c'est sur que la thalasso fera de l'argent... surtout à Pléneuf, mais se sera un pan de l'histoire de la station qui disparaîtra. Belle présentation de l'architecture de l'édifice. J'aime bien l'éclairage de la façade et ce ciel plombé qui met bien en valeur l'ensemble. Joli coup d'oeil, bravo Vincent.

Avec toutes mes amitiés et un très bon WE,

Jean-Charles

gneufeld (15007) 2007-11-09 13:18

Hi vincent,
This is stunning. Your use of a very low pov looking upwards towards the well lit building with spires set against a very deep blue sky is impressive. Great work and TFS. Gerald

jmcl (13721) 2007-11-09 18:20

HI Vincent,

Tremendous light .. just beautiful ... almost glowing .. I love the diagonal way this sits into the frame .. beautiful image ...

take care,

John

Photo65Net (43084) 2007-11-09 20:22

Salut Vincent,
Très jolies ces teintes dorées !
Le contraste avec le ciel tourmenté et sombre est excellent, une très belle image.
Bonne journée,
JB.

Graal (57292) 2007-11-09 23:24

Bonjour Vincent,
an interesting building, fine perspective and colours. Good informations and Your work.
Gr., Aleksander

leo61 (42886) 2007-11-09 23:43

HI Vincent!
Great POV and a nice perspective.I love this:sunshine at the subject and this fantastic contrast with a grey sky.
Regards,Leo

delkoo (33976) 2007-11-10 1:43

BONJour vincent,
tu as bénéficié d'une superbe lumiere pour mettre en valeur cette splendide façade, le ciiel menacant t'a beaucoup aidé dans cette realuisation.

didier

xavshot (61917) 2007-11-10 3:21

Bonjour Vincent
les couleurs dorées contrastent bien avec le gris du ciel. J'aime beaucoup le relief que cela donne à l'architecture. Bien joué.
Xavier

AiresSantos (41418) 2007-11-10 5:07

Hi dear Vincent
Very nice view of the top of this beautiful monument.
Excellent contrast and colours. Well framed and managed the light.
Thanks and have a nice weekend
Aires

cunejo200 (7157) 2007-11-10 5:59

Hello Vincent, The church facade is handsomely lit and shows well against a grey sky. Good details and framing. Regards, Danilo

axiotea (15929) 2007-11-10 7:26

Salut Vincent
C'est absurde de détruire ces beaux immeubles qui semblent être en bon état! surtout pour reconstruire du laid! En tous cas, la lumière est superbe et donne une jolie teinte dorée à ces édifices qui traversent la photo en diagonale. Joli contraste également!
Marilyn

testmaniac (11832) 2007-11-10 8:12

Hi Vincent, good architecture shot with nice colors and POV!

TFS and regards,
Philip

john_c (24635) 2007-11-10 8:27

Hi Vincent,
A superb low angle view of these magnificent buildings. I like the fine light and resulting warmth on the facade, with the windows contributing much to the beauty. Your note reminds me of the "progress" of the highway slashing through my countryside. Its tragic that our politicians - in this case yours - could not have found an alternative use for these fine buildings. At least they will not be forgotten, thanks to photos such as yours. Amities.
John

jlbrthnn (37000) 2007-11-10 9:02

Bonsoir Vincent,
Ce ne sera surement pas un progrès de l'humanité d'abattre ces bâtiments de bonne qualité, chargés d'histoire qui pourrait certainement être plus utilement utilisés. Cet aveuglement est affligeant et désespérant. Merci de les avoir virtuellement sauvés.
Passe une bonne soirée
Amicalement
Joël

Paolo (40651) 2007-11-10 14:17

Hi Vincent, excellent image and note too.
the brilliant POV and the wonderful light give us a great view of this massive building.
the contrast of light with the dark sky is really beautiful
thanks,ciao

ribeiroantonio (21749) 2007-11-10 15:31

And all that in name of what? Beauty? How sad to see a beautiful building being replaced by concrete. And nobody complains? Your photo is wonderful. Thanks for preserving so well the memory of that place. Well done.
Antonio

stego (22336) 2007-11-10 19:38

Salut Vincent,

Le POV, lumière et le ciel presque noir combinent bien avec la fonction religieuse du bâtiment, donc ils produisent une atmosphère avec quelque chose sacré et glorieuse. La silhouette de l'arbre renforce ça.

Je suis tristement surpris que une chose si regrettable puisse arriver en France, car j'ai toujours pensé qu'a ton pays on envisageait le patrimoine historique et architectural comme quelque chose très importante.

Amicalement, José.

Wanda1 (10888) 2007-11-10 20:57

Hi Vincent,
I like your angle of view here. The dark grey brooding sky makes a great contrasting background for the yellowy lit up building. Wonderful details, I especially like the clock, bell and cross.
Regards
Wanda

cessy (13647) 2007-11-10 23:50

beautiful light illuminating the church,
nicely contrast with the dark sky behind
very nice capture of the building, Vincent

elmec (12194) 2007-11-10 23:59

Hello Vincent!
Interesting part of old architecture!
Great night dark sky!
Best regards!

ChrisJ (69588) 2007-11-11 0:49

Salut Vincent

A nice colour contrast between the honey coloured facade of the imposing building & the blue grey sky in the bg. The diagonal axis adds dynamism. Merci, et bon Dimanche!

pasternak (13032) 2007-11-11 1:49

This is really good, Vincent, the light is gorgeous here, what a contrast against the dark sky, also nice use of the wide angle lens, the tilted perspective works really well! Like it, my compliments!

Cheers
Alexander

josepmarin (33591) 2007-11-11 3:17

Bonjour Vincent,
parfait cadrage avec les lignes diagonales et les verticales de cette belle architecture, qui ont un grand graphisme. J'aime la faible lumière du soleil qui donne des tons chauds jolis à ce bâtiment, et le fort contraste avec le ciel nuageux et obscur.
Amicalement,
Josep

markstaples (15670) 2007-11-11 3:24

Il y a une belle lumiere qui tombe sur ces batisse. Les couleurs chaudes sont bien agreables a regarder, surtout contre ce ciel.
Bien fait
Amicalement
Mark

Dyerco (8884) 2007-11-11 7:22

I love this light against the dark sky. The dark sky is almost an omen of the destruction to come.
Well presented Vincent.
Phil

Philippe (11671) 2007-11-11 11:59

Bonjour, Vincent. Un très beau contraste comme c'est souvent le cas quand le soleil brille sur le suejt et que le ciel est gris à l'arrière-plan. Le contraste est encore rehaussé par les arbres sombres de l'avant-plan. Bel hommage aux religieuses aussi qui ont oeuvré pas mal pour l'éducation et le bien-être. J'ai moi-même travaillé dans un Institut des Sacrés-Coeurs, la même congrégation que celle qui entretenait le bâtiment que tu nous montres.

gilou530 (34739) 2007-11-11 12:54

salut vincent
lumière géniale avec en plus ce ciel presque noir, la couleur de cette facade s'accorde bien avec le ciel, belle image
amitiés
gilbert

giorgimer (20732) 2007-11-11 15:17

Hi Vincent,

the warm light creates a perfect contrast with the dark sky.
Beautiful details.

Well done!

Gio

UnTrained (0) 2007-11-11 22:54

Salut Vincent,
this one with its nice architecture is for sure a loss. Very pleasant capture with the dark cloud and the soft light on the facade. Strong impression and the same for the composition. I hope the center in concrete will not hurt the eye.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

gary91 (15319) 2007-11-11 23:10

Bonjour Vincent,
Quelle lumière et quelle ambiance... La combinaison du ciel gris et de la lumière dorée est vraiment du plus bel effet. L'inclusion de l'arbre en bas à droite est bien vue aussi.
Bonne journée à toi.
Amicalement, Christian

ifanik (20464) 2007-11-12 1:20

Hi Vincent
Very beautiful photo with very nice colours, lighting and POV
Very well done
Thank you for your critigue
Best regards
Nick

Merline (6574) 2007-11-12 2:31

Hi Vincent,
j'arrive un peu tard...mais pas trop pour te faire plein de compliments. J'aime beaucoup l'angle de vue, la netteté, la lumière magnifique avec ce ciel qui me fait penser à l'Islande. Très belle photo et je suis scandalisée par ce que tu nous dis dans ta note ! Autant j'aime bien faire de la thalasso:-), autant je trouve cela incroyable ! Il n'y a pas un comité qui se bat ? Quelle désolation.

Merci
Michèle

Budapestman (41066) 2007-11-12 3:01

Hi Vincent,
Great impression, the atmosphere is fantastic. I like the contrast between the gleaming buildings and the dark sky. The diagonal composition is spectacular, lights are particular. Very well done! Have a nice week
George

Didi (35760) 2007-11-13 14:31

Bonjour Vincent
J'ai connu cette ville mais je n'ai pas eu la chance d'avoir un tel éclairage, le point de vue est bien choisi pour mettre en évidence cet édifice baigné d'une lumière dorée sous un ciel dramatique.
Cordialement.

John_F_Kennedy (30689) 2007-11-15 3:25

Beautiful and well lighted evening shot. Great textures, lighting and composition.
Best wishes,
Achim

rbcy1974 (20742) 2007-11-15 3:58

Bonjour Vincent
Cest superbe jolie cete angle et cete architecture.
J'arrive pas a croire que l'on peux detruire ces batiments. Il n'ya pas de protection aux batiments historiques. Cest trop domage.
A+
Daniel

Giorgio (8628) 2007-11-15 5:34

- Bel éclairage sur cet édifice, ha, quand la lumière est là, l'indéniable plus est également ce ciel dramatique ! En tout cas bravo, c'est réussi !
giorgio

* restons simple, j'ai fait mon commentaire en Français.

jwmunro (6561) 2007-11-16 9:50

Bonjour Vincent -

Are we becoming a bit sarcastic? I understand your feeling about modern European architecture and I really hate seeing some of these old buildings go. Are they removing the church also? I am sure some very good use could be made of the old nunnery rather than rubble. Excellent light and composition. The dark foreboding sky helps add drama to the scene. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

Greg1949 (8507) 2007-11-17 5:17

Vincent,

What a great note and what a shame. You have done a fine job of capturing this view for those that will never get to see this beautiful place.

Greg

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2007-11-17 15:04

Hi Vincent
Great light. Interesting architecture of the building. Good capture.
Refards

bakes888 (18055) 2007-11-17 19:06

Hi Vincent. You timed this shot well, wonderful light and colour. I love the way the old building glows against the dark sky. Well captured and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

danos (31740) 2007-11-18 4:21

Hello Vincent,
very nice and at the same time an impressive shot of this building in the Brittany landscape.I like the angle of the capture as the shape of the building fill the frame.The pale colour the falls on it contrasted perfect with the grey of the sky.Informative your note too.Well done Vincent.

Have a nice day,Danos

vascao (190) 2007-11-19 15:10

Hi, Vincent.
The image is spectacular. The POV, the light, the colors and the compo are stunning.
The story is very sad, really unbelievable what they are going to do. Aren't buildings like this one protected by law in France?
[]'s
Sergio

jemaflor (38871) 2007-11-21 9:42

Salut Vincent,
Superbe lumière qui dore la pierre, bonnne perspective avec ce cadrage et idéal fond sombre pour donner encore plus d'impact à ta photo.

pablominto (40020) 2007-11-26 2:34

Hello Vincent,
Some call it progress...
It is a pity fine buildings like this no longer have any use!
Good point of view to record this for history, the resulting fine lines in the composition...
Great colours and fine details in the architecture!
Greetings,
Pablo -

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2007-12-22 12:33

Hi Vincent,
A a sad event to turn this beautiful building to something comercial. Many places preserves this kind of building as they are integral part of our history. But nowadays money talks and it is a sad thing. Anyway, you've captured and composed this well. Nice angle to emphasize the length of the building. Well done! tfs and Merry X'mas.
Cheers,
Renier

daddo (11283) 2007-12-22 15:54

Hi Vincent. How poignant! So religion is slowly being replaced by the cult of the body beautiful and at this time of the year when we are supposed to celebrate the birth of someone special, we go through an orgy of shopping. Sad to see such a significant building fall. You have given it a grand appearance by the use of the light of the sun against an ominous sky, as if it is saying "I am precious. Do not destroy me." Great homage to an era that is ending. Time to wish you contentment and health for the holiday season and the new year. Klaudio.

riclopes (32865) 2007-12-27 0:52

Excellent architecture shot. Nice unusual POV with an amazing contrast of the golden façade and that threatening sky. Love the diagonal. I might consider correcting the perspective making the tower vertical, but since the composition is so dynamic, it works as it is also.
ric

cam (8880) 2008-01-13 13:08

Bonjour Vincent
Un batiment bien éclairé et contrasté par ce ciel sombre à souhait, un ciel triste pour la fin d'une époque, que nous vivons aussi de ce coté de l'Atlantique.
Image dramatique
Bonne semaine
Charles

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-04-19 14:06

Hi Vincent,
what a stunning, dramatic view!
POV, light, contrast and framing are absolutely wonderful.
I've seldom seen such a powerful use of diagonals. Truly a BEAUTY!
Have a great weekend, I'll see ya soon my friend.
Ciao,
Fulvio.