Curse of Dunlewy Photo

Photographer’s Note

After a heavy downpour of rain the sky took on this colour momenterally late in the evening. Processing back home I think it looks like the side profile of a face as if cursing this haunted edifice. The mute and haunting atmosphere of this place is inescapable - This is the Ruins of Dunlewy Church.

Its been featured many times on TE and even on my first visit back in 2006 I could see why its is so photogenic. The Poisoned Glen is one of the most beautiful spots in Donegal, Ireland - it's a small glacial valley sandwiched between Errigal, Lake Dunlewy, and the Glenveagh National Park. It is lush, green and boggy, with gorgeous views in every direction, particularly of Errigal's quartzite slopes.

The church, built of locally quarried white marble, was abandoned decades ago, and sadly it now has no roof, and is left there as ruins. Few will venture near the old church for it is said to be haunted.

P.S. jpeg compression on this one was a "nightmare" so forgive if it is not very sharp.

nivaldo, stormboy, pat0500, chawax, OLF, Cloud__Warrior, LamCam, PixelTerror, trekks, ku-fotak-chtik, gneufeld has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nivaldo (13103) 2008-07-06 9:49

A dramatic and somehow frightening view! Eyecatching, superbe!
Great shot, Stephen!
TFS.
Greetings from Recife-Brazil,
Nivaldo

afroditi (581) 2008-07-06 9:57

hello stephen!
gothic scene!beautiful foto!
afroditi

yannisko (9) 2008-07-06 10:09

The lines of the church look so sharp!
The contradiction of the colors is fantastic!
Bravo!

stormboy (843) 2008-07-06 10:14

Hi Stephen;
Quite nice composition of the photo. Did you use HDR??? It looks like a painting, so nice.
Regards
Tan

barrufeto_77 (25809) 2008-07-06 10:18

Hi Stephen.

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.. The contrast of that piece of the sky is....amazing!

Rgs, OScar

pat0500 (21513) 2008-07-06 10:18

Hi Stephen,
A very impressive picture here..! I like it..!
Good framing and very beautiful colours..!
Good shot..!
Best regards,
Patrick

danasam (1057) 2008-07-06 10:25

Hi Stephan, this is absolutely outstanding, so perfect, wonderful colors and great POV. man..very well done.
Sam.

mark_mk (246) 2008-07-06 10:33

Hi Stephen,
WOW, that`s all that I can say when looking at that image, what a shot! The ruins of that church and this unbelievable sky, looks like it`s on fire! Man, what a shot, simply wonderful, I would die to have such a shot in my gallery, nothing more to say!

Take care and have a nice sunday evening
Mark

OLF (3912) 2008-07-06 10:49

Hi STephen,
Wouf! what a splendid shot! The sky seem's to be in fire, the pov on the church is perfect, good depth, very good clarity and sharpness; fabulous colors.
Very well done, very good job!
Regards, friendly.
Olivier

Cloud__Warrior (291) 2008-07-06 12:29

Hi Stephen

Beautiful image, a very dramtic sky.

Andy

Morac (20447) 2008-07-06 13:34

Hello Stephen
A dramatic and somehow frightening view!
What a splendid shot!
The sky seem's to be in fire.
Regards
Marc

LamCam (3603) 2008-07-06 13:56

Hello Stephen, They don't come much more dramatic than this! The church is creepy enough, but that sky adds a touch of the supernatural! You have captured the thatricality of the moment perfectly.
Best wishes....Maggie

scalerman (25733) 2008-07-06 14:30

Stephen - more stunning compositions and that Lee filter system is amazing. regards, c

npecanhuk (13963) 2008-07-06 14:55

Hello Stephen!
This is just awesome!
The colors, the sharpness, the POV and composition, everything´s perfectly matched to create an unforgettable image!
Superb!
TFS - Congratulations!
Greetings from Brazil,
Neyvan Peçanhuk

PixelTerror (86138) 2008-07-06 15:18

HI Stephen,
This is a bit over PPed for my taste but I have to admit the fire cloud contributes well to the mystical dimension of this spectacular image.
Have a nice day JY

skerdreux (2695) 2008-07-06 17:20

the composition is very good. colors and contrast is wonderfull but the sky is not "good". it's too unreal. you really can't have a such sky and this luminosity. of course you can adjust luminosity but try to keep it real. I don't like to give bad critique but this time I did it. However I would like to know that your gallery is very exceptional and you are a fantastic fotographer (better than me but it's not difficult).
Anyway I Hope to see another good picture in your gallery.
have a nice day.
sylvain

trekks (14314) 2008-07-06 18:10

Wow! It really looks as if on fire with the dark clouds around the sides. You chose a good composition with the FG stones and walls and placement of the church.

A very good capture.

tfs, bill

gneufeld (15173) 2008-07-07 19:32

Hi STephen,
Wow, this is one of the most stunning shots I have seen in a while. The textures and details are presented in perfect sharpness, and the colors are amazing. Very well done and TFs. GErald

lucinka (9902) 2008-07-09 1:14

wow, what a stunning shot Stephen !! It is even hard to believe how perfect the timing, place and moment is. Fabulous work. Lucie

cdmonson (2753) 2008-12-04 15:18

Hi Stephen:

My wife remembers this church from her visit to Donegal ten years ago, and she said it was just as creepy as everyone portrays it. I definitely have to see it when we go. :) I like the color in those clouds, although I think it's a bit over-contrasty. Normally I'm not a fan of the square frame, but I think it works well here.

Clark