<< Previous Next >>

Dreaming of medieval ages


Dreaming of medieval ages
Photo Information
Copyright: Joao Rodrigues (Rodrigues) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 142 W: 0 N: 201] (894)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04
Categories: Castles
Camera: Canon EOS 20 D, Canon 10-22 f3.5-4.5 EFS, Hoya 77mm HMC Cir-Polarizer
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): TRIPLE WOW number 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-04 11:24
Viewed: 552
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Almourol Castle was raised in a hill of granite, which is this small but enigmatic island with 310 meters long and 75 wide, in the parish of "Praia da Ribatejo", municipality of "Vila Nova da Barquinha", in the district of Santarem.

There are doubts about the first ocupation as a military post. Archaeological traces of Roman ocupation go back to the first century before Christ. It is even speculated on a much older pre-historic fort in that place. What is indisputable is that, before the Christian Reconquest, Almourol was ocupied by the alanos, Visigoths and Moors.

Today, the monument is identified as a remarkable sample of Templars military architecture. Above the main gate of the castle, a plaque gives us a valuable indication that the works were completed in 1171, under the influence of "Gualdim Pais", the fourth Grand Master of the Templar Knights in Portugal, in "D. Afonso Henriques" (1112-1185) time, first king of Portugal.

The castle then became an important point on the Tagus river, assuming a large importance in keeping secure the trade between Lisbon and the rest of the country.

In "castelodealmourol.com". The translation and adaptation was mine, since there is no English version.
pat0500, Vato_Law, Lukasso, polpo56, amfdj, jmdias, Vanessa132, Floydian, lilimih33, pboehringer, GG_Poland, coco, Elaine_Blath has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekEarth members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekEarth members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To GG_Poland: I'' be glad to meet youRodrigues 2 06-06 12:43
To jdomingues: foi o fotógrafoRodrigues 2 05-08 09:41
To BennyV: historyRodrigues 2 05-06 13:18
To amfdj: Portugal loverRodrigues 1 05-06 03:46
To BennyV: historyRodrigues 1 05-06 03:44
To euryan: The trains are too closeRodrigues 1 05-05 01:57
To Floydian: Maybe I'll post anotherRodrigues 1 05-05 01:53
To Floydian: Maybe I'll post another oneRodrigues 1 05-05 01:44
To Vato_Law: Passa por lá.Rodrigues 2 05-04 13:45
To jmdias: IdílicoRodrigues 1 05-04 13:12
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Olá Joao,
Very good framing of the castle..! I like it..!
Good light and colours..! Good shot..!
Abraço,
Patrick

Hello Joao,

Being more into history than into nature, the castle was what drew my attention, but then I went on to discover a wonderful picture with an intresting framing (with the castle all the way back). Your gallery is worth looking at in more detail.

Benny

Olá João,
Bela composição vertical com as flores, rochas e reflexos nas poças de água a comporem muito bem a frente da foto até chegarmos ao ponto forte da foto ou seja o Castelo de Almourol.
Tens nesta foto umas tonalidades muito belas e suaves criando uma atmosfera tranquila e de grande serenidade.
Belo trabalho.
Um abraço.
Paulo

Hi,

I'm quite impressed, I must say. The compo is just perfect. Colors and reflections work remarkabely well here attaching the look. I also like this little diagonal flowers - castle. Cool picture. Well done.

Olà Joao,
a beautiful landscape with the best management of composition.
Big sharpness, good contrast and light.
Compliments!
Ciao
Ludo

  • Great 
  • amfdj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 194 W: 61 N: 249] (1868)
  • [2008-05-04 11:48]
  • [+]

Hi Joao,
Back to the middle ages.
Very well captured with your ultra wide angle lens: a lot of foreground leading us perfectly to the castle. Splendid light conditions.
As a Portugal lover, I like it a lot!!!
Regards,
Eddie

Hi Joao!
Great capture, nice colours, contrast, and composition, every element is very well showed. Nice work!
cheers
Adrian

Hi Joao,
very nice composition, the flowers making a strong foreground here
nicely done
didier

  • Great 
  • maria Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 155 W: 5 N: 223] (1310)
  • [2008-05-04 12:20]

Hi Joao,
I find your image to be impressive and grand just like the castle.
Regards,
Maria

Ciao Joao,
Perfetta questa tua foto, aiutata da una buona attrezzatura ma anche da un ottimo occhio e stile.
Ciao Nino.

joão

belíssima foto do almourol, que eu já vi da estrada umas duas vezes mas nunca tive a oportunidade de visitar. Aqui o castelo está muitíssimo bem mostrado, as cores do céu, as pedras e as flores no primeiro plano, um pov esplendoroso. Parabéns

abraços

jorge

Excelente! Muito bem captada.

Hi Joao,
really superb POV! The castle in the background and the flowers,stones en water in front... Nice light!
Well done and TFS
Vanessa

Hi Joao,
Congratulations for this very impressive composition.
The low POV choosen allow us to enjoy the foreground before going higher and higher until this impressive fortress.
Very well done.
Regards,
Marianne

Hi Joao,
Long time ago since i saw something from you, you really should post more often. Composition is as always very good, classic, but a joy for the eye. Light control in the foreground is perfect, and in the far back i miss some spectacular light to bring the castle really to the front. Anyway, a strong composed shot and probably one the best of this day postings...well done..!!!
Regards, Henk

Imagem muito bonita com uma composição cuidada e cores lindas. O controlo da luz está escelente e os reflexos na água do primeiro plano é maravilhoso.
António

I passed by this castle on the train when I was in Portugal last year. I wished I had time to stop and photograph it at sunrise or sunset (Luis's photo really inspired me), but I did not. You have captured the soft light very well here. The composition is very nice, and the flowers in the foreground are the cherry on top. It has been a while João. Hope to see you posting more often these days.
Regards,
Ryan

Olá João, bem vindo de volta! :)
A composição desta está simplesmente espectacular, tem tudo no sítio, desde as núvens ao castelo passando pelo primeiro plano. Espectáculo. Sendo picuínhas, desculpa, só é pena a luz não ser tão boa quanto o resto. Ainda assim está 5*.
Abraço,
João Domingues

Hello Joao!
Great perspective and wonderful place!
Nice reflection and fantastic atmosphere!
Best regards!
Lili

Fantastic capture Joao, love this composition and well exposed shot. Excellent work.

Joao,
o titulo de sua imagem demonstra uma enorme sensibilidade para o momento capturado. Voce realmente mergulhou profundamente na atmosfera deste local dando uma dimensao historica. Tenho a sensacao que voce entrou na maquina do tempo e teve a capacidade de extrair a sensacao deste local em momentos medievais. As flores na parte anterior da imagem dao um excelente contraste e suporta este elemento de sonho.
Peter

  • Great 
  • Morac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 764 W: 151 N: 890] (6723)
  • [2008-05-31 15:15]

Hello Joao,
Superb color and very good composition.
Very good framing of the castle..!
A beautiful photograph.
Regards
Marc

Ola Joao

nice to see you again. I have no time for photos and TE but will post something from last mountain trek soon. I suppose it is similar with you, photos and TE.
great composition and mood here. I like the castle - main object so far away and our eyes guided there by clouds and stones. nice light and mood. I'm glad to see another good work from you :)

best wishes
Grzegorz

PS
for 99% I will go with my girlfriend to Portugal on September 20th for about 16 days :) our route is Lisboa, Sagres, Lagos, Evora, Marvao, Castelo De Vide and Lisboa again. I'm affraid no time for Obidos or Sintra. if you have any suggestions...

  • Great 
  • coco Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4081 W: 140 N: 4784] (22724)
  • [2008-06-07 11:34]

Hola Joao.

This photo is really good. The POV and the lens are good and you have used all this stuff very well.
Also I like how you managed the light.

Well done.

Hi Joao,

a perfect POV, a perfect place..the sky is a bonus in this impressive view, very beautiful...

Take care, Ivana

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF