Afternoon in the monastery, a photo from Vilcea, West

Photographer's Note

Our last visit on the TE gathering in Romania was late Sunday afternoon to this beatiful Cozia Monastery.

This capture of the old munk and the priest as they had a little talk just by the entrance to the church. Later on I had in fact the oportunity to have a talk myself with this Orthodox priest. Interesting meeting then between an Orthodox of Romania and a Protestant from Norway ;-)

For this photo (with some noise) I think the BW conversion was the right choice. Hope you like it.

Cozia Monastery was completed in 1390, but only the main church has survived from this period. Built by Serbian architects, it is modeled on the monasteries of the Morava Valley. The Serbian style was introduced in Wallachia by a monk called Nicodemus.

Paolo, jleveque, teutza, kittyhawk, isabela_sor, sowhat, mortijo, Angelillo, rigoletto, COSMO, giorgimer, manatee, oanna has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Paolo (41216) 2007-07-12 1:51

Hi Jack, the quality is a bit low, with a small noise effect, but with the black and white, and the old pope composed an old, old image, from decades ago.
so, at the end, i like that old, old, old picture!
;) ciao

jleveque (898) 2007-07-12 2:05

Jack...this picture looks like if it had been taken 100 years ago. I think BW is the right choice here, don't worry about the noise. The gaze of the old monk is amazing, he looks like lost on some mystical thoughts.
Congratulations,
Jérôme

Gustaw (21670) 2007-07-12 2:28

Hi, my friend!
It is very beautiful photo. I very like your idea and your composition. Good white and black. I like your old man. Well done.
Marek

cbrman (21637) 2007-07-12 2:40

Hello Jack,

Une belle image de ce prêtre aux cheveux blanc qui semble apprendre quelque chose de très important à son collègue plus jeune !
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

barrufeto_77 (28876) 2007-07-12 3:09

Hi Jack.

Excellent contrasts and atmosphere! The B&W was a lovely idea too to emphatize the place.

Well done!

RGs, Oscar

teutza (10590) 2007-07-12 4:00

Hello Jack,
i like a lot this monk!he has a beautiful peacefull look:) and u did a great job by puting a little tone of sepia!
good one!!
teo

kittyhawk (1690) 2007-07-12 5:11

Hei Jack,

Lovely portrait, it seems that you captured an old man sharing his wisdome to a younger generation. Very nice scene. The picture in the background is very nice allso, it gives the rest of the photo a sort of timeless feel. The choise of B/W is allso good, I think it helps the overall feeling in this photo. TFS.

Friendly,
- Halgeir

mesutilgim (67940) 2007-07-12 6:15

Hi Jack,
Very nice b&w job done . The strength of the frescoes ain the background and the softness on the face of the munk makes this shot a masterpiece !
TFS and have a nice time
MESUT ILGIM

anes_lc (14968) 2007-07-12 6:21

hi jack
you did it again...great shot.
this monastery is one that i love most,you can find peace here(at least with me works like this).
good choose the b&w version
hugs,anes

sowhat (1004) 2007-07-12 10:00

A monk and a priest, closely watched by two saints. The serene look of the monk with the light on his face while the rest is veiled, the old fresque details almost detaching from the background and the perfect B&W treatment with some noise which gives a feeling of ancient picture... everything works perfectly here.
TFS,
Ioana

mortijo (12828) 2007-07-12 11:04

The B&W choice cancels somewhat the negative effect of the noise and gives the impression that we are looking at an old archive photo. Welll done Jack!
Regards, John.

Angelillo (9322) 2007-07-12 16:16

Hi Jack,

A very nice ambiance here. The two religious men and this icon in the foreground creates an intimacy atmosphere very well managed. I like a lot! The face of the monk is very interesting! Beautiful shot! Thanks.

Regards,
Angel.

vincz (19099) 2007-07-13 0:39

Superb composition, very evocative with great facial expression. the scene is excellent with the priest talking to the man facing the icons. I like it a lot.

isabela_sor (47265) 2007-07-13 4:12

How did you and Jerome such beautiful photos there,....but I know the answer :you both are great photographers !!!!I like how you composed this shot with these paintings on wall above the heads of the two priests
Hugs

Silvio1953 (98093) 2007-07-14 2:26

Hi Jack, beautiful portrait of old pope with wonderful expression, It seems an old photo, very well done, ciao Silvio

rigoletto (30462) 2007-07-14 5:59

Hello Mr. Johanson,
A very different photo in your colorful gallery showing those beautiful places of Earth...
This is so cinematographic. It is a great idea to use two heads for two icons. I like the tones you applied here, but something is lacking though... Ehmmm, maybe a WS photo with three young Romanian ladies >:D
Cheers,
Deniz

dkmurphys (36759) 2007-07-14 6:09

great photo...2 saints are watching those 2 people...

[2]

giorgimer (34508) 2007-07-17 15:49

Hi Jack,

intense atmosphere!

B/W works well rithe monk's colors first of all

Compliments!

Giorgio

manatee (4642) 2007-07-21 1:06

Exelent picture this is what I imagine about the monsatery in Rumania, is a perfect picture full with misticism and beuty, the B&W is perfect the prist with his ropes and face and the background the Bizantine paints.

Breathless

Greetings from Mexico

Elias

oanna (1200) 2007-08-09 12:21

hello,jack,I like the composition,seems to suggest that the two monks are somehow resembling to the saints painted on the wall.I have to confess that even I,born Orthodox,was astonished by the atmosphere of deep piety inside the monastery.Hope we`ll meet again,in Norway,for your TE meeting perhaps:)

Ram_89 (52) 2008-09-22 2:43

Salve, Jack!
Love the composition of this one! The religious aspect is one of the most important ones concerning the Romanian people. And you caught it well...
Best regards,
Ramona