Country Church in the afternoon Photo

Photographer’s Note

An interesting setting in the countryside, as seen when passing in my car. Just had to stop to make this photo.

This little church, Hovin in Spydeberg, 45 km east of Oslo, was raised in 1720, on an old ancient holy ground. Probably already before Christian time there was a place here for worshiping the old Gods (Tor and Odin) on the hilltop. In catholic time the church was dedicated St. Michael. In 1716 the Swedish king Karl XII come by as he retreated with his army (some 3000 soldiers and riders) after a failed try to conquer Akershus Castle in Oslo. In need to cross the huge nearby river Glomma he required the timber for the church to build rafts for the crossover of the river. From that it took 4 years for the locals to raise this little church to be finished in 1720.

This church also presented here:
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/
Europe/Norway/photo165134.htm

devimeuxbe, nwoehnl, Fixfocus, ChrisJ, PJE has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Paolo (40753) 2005-10-23 6:22

H Jack, i like the strange light on tha timage!
the white sky in the background have a great contrast with the "golden" church!
good POV and composition.
thansk,ciao

devimeuxbe (56334) 2005-10-23 6:24

Hi Jack
Very strange idea to put this illuminated church behind the dark trees.
But the result is great.
Nice idea and nice work.
Bertrand

bantonbuju (48796) 2005-10-23 7:14

hi jack, the interesting thing about the norwegian rural sacral architecture is that the churches are mostly wooden, having their specific style and charm;
i like this image for its powerful light handling - with the foreground field enlightened enough to see the details, and the bright church dominating the view from the top; nice work;
have a nice afternoon, jerzy

pablominto (41340) 2005-10-23 7:54

Hi Jack,
Interesting effect by the artificial lighting of the church! The silhouetted trees add to the mood here, and the harvested field up front adds to the mood without stealing attention
Regards,
Pablo -

dkeus31 (26361) 2005-10-23 10:24

Hi Jack,
Nice colors and light on the church.
The foreground is dark and maybe too present here.
Regards,
Didier

nwoehnl (120) 2005-10-23 11:11

Yes, very good indeed with the illuminated exterior in the late afternoon, Jack. Nice how the small church is seen behind the lineup of tree silhouettes, and with good details including the surronding graveyard. I also like the subtle presence of the lines in the field in front.

Fixfocus (9377) 2005-10-24 5:31

Hi Jack,
The contrast between the dark foreground and the illuminated church is splendid.I like compo,framing and atmosphere.
Have a nice week,
hermann

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-10-24 22:21

nice shot of the chrch, it looks as if it is glowing, very good take expsially behind the tree shot, well done

ChrisJ (70443) 2005-10-25 3:30

Hello Jack

I like the warm, ambient glow of the lighting around the church. Perhaps a crop to the fg? Good sharpness & graphism. Congratulations!

danyy (69417) 2005-10-25 10:15

Bonjour Jack,
je rejoins un peu l'avis de Didier, tu aurais pu recouper un peu l'avant plan assez sombre et qui prend pas mal de proportions sur la photo.
L'église illuminée par contre, parait en fusion.
Bel effet avec les couleurs du ciel.
Compliments.
Daniel.

Mafo (1339) 2005-10-26 3:52