Change and Decay all around I see..., a photo from Menorca, Balearics

Photographer's Note

Taken at the Fortress of Isabel II, La Mola, Mahon (Mao) Harbour, Menorca.

This rotten wooden door was spotted whilst walking round this amazing old military site. You can see the rotting softwood of the door, the rusting lock and bolt which once secured it and the brass lockplate which is covered in verdigris, a mixture of copper chloride and copper carbonate caused by exposure to air, salt spray and water. In fact, the peeling blue/green paint of the door probably owes its colour to a copper compound, possibly malachite, which was once used as a blue pigment.

You can read some more about this old military base in Mahon harbour here and also see there a little video clip telling you of the history of the place whilst listening to a rather nice little rendition of Bach's Air in D Major.

Shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE9.

macjake, kordinator, timecapturer, annjackman, bayno, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

macjake (39235) 2011-07-08 16:15

Hi John
I'm a big fan of these close up photos.
we can easily see and feel the textures, the grains, the peeling paints.
has a true rustic feel.
have yourself a great day
Craig

sydb (579) 2011-07-08 16:21

tres belle exploision de couleur et les detail de la peiture bien nette la roulle ici lui donne un certain charme bravo

JFS (32189) 2011-07-08 23:10

Hi John!
Lots of history in this piece of door. I love the POV, the colors, the textures...Good work!

Cheers,
Juan

SnapRJW (18792) 2011-07-08 23:55

Hello John - This seems like quite a departure for you and I have to say you've seen and captured a super image. The textural details are really very good, I can almost feel the roughness under my fingers. You have managed the colour well too - soft and natural. SUPER Have a godd weekend and happy shooting. Rosemary

timecapturer (30394) 2011-07-09 4:47

Hello John
love all the textures and details in this wonderful composition. Such incredible sharpness and fascinating decay. A well observed and presented image and beautiful piece of life's art. Excellent!

Enjoy the weekend - Brian

MJR (3173) 2011-07-09 23:50

John

Getting behind again; got up early today to catch up with TE responses !

This goes against your grain, I guess from its location, you were prompted by your holiday mentor to give it a go ! I recall seeing your note on Flickr about an image of rusty paint with some very determind views on such photographs !

But I see a difference. This is not any old paint, it is paint of an old door, with an interesting old bolt, and a story all of its own that patches of paint don't tell in quite the same way.. A picture such as this is a bit like a picture of an old wise face: it has a story to tell. How many hands have touched this bolt, who has passed through its portal, how many layers of paint have been lovingly applied over the years.. I marvel at old coins in my pocket in the same way ! ( I marvel at ANY coins in my pockets these days ! )

If I may, the final presentation is not quite right. I can be sure the picture is sound, but there is a slight sharpness missing, I guess the prep for posting is the culprit ? Back to our long standing discussion on sharpening I guess !

Kind regards
Martin

romanaa (7372) 2011-07-10 13:14

Hello John,

I do not know why these old rusty details are so appealing. Perhaps they offer a great scale of colours and textures, much more than fresh painted things. I always think of the people who touched them and times they have witnessed.

Nice one.

Best regards

Romana

emka (58224) 2011-07-10 23:06

Hi John,

So you wee attracted by rust in Menorka already, not only in Threlkeld. Beautiful details, why we like so much the photos of deecay? This door was painted many times but in vain.. Fantastic sharpness.
Redgards from Croatia - here no surprises with the weather - just hot, no even smallest cloud, boring a bit...

Malgo

abmdsudi (26311) 2011-07-10 23:17

Hi John
An intriguing close up, the well matured rust that had been worn over the years which really brought out the rusty dark colouring. The door is equally in bad conditon has such brilliant peeling textures and some deep shadows too, very faded looking in bright colouring but the grain is wonderful. Vintage stuff, excellent focus and well defined and critically crispy and sharp with less depth. This 'beauty' combined with attention to closeness makes it very pronounced, a true hidden beauty can only be seen by keen eyes! Well done, congrats
Best regards

bartekp (4200) 2011-07-11 13:23

Hi John,

Very good composition , light and colors. i like that POV.

Bartek

annjackman (13233) 2011-07-17 5:53

Hello John,
This brought a smile to my face, particularly when I read Martin's comment as I was thinking the same thing - not your usual style. The old bolt does make a great centre of interest and I love the different colours of the peeling and faded paint.
Best wishes, Ann

bayno (16241) 2011-12-30 22:12

Hi John, beautiful and particular details, I like the look of this decadent door, beautiful tones and colors, in these shots we see the photographer's eye, ready to see the apparently insignificant details, super sharp, have a giood end of the years, Valter

delpeoples (45018) 2012-02-17 17:19

Hi John

Now this type of photography is not something we see often in your Gallery. The close-up with the heavy saturation brings out all the interesting details and textures so well. A particular well-seen, that I would probably not even notice. So you've taught me to keep my eye open. Great square framing too.

Have a good evening
Lisa

serp2000 (29242) 2012-07-29 12:34

Hi, John,
II like your idea to show us so colourful old door. Perfect sharpness, excellent macro shot! Usually people with cameras pass by similar rusty elements. Great realisation!
Best wishes from Poland!
Serghei

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (13149)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-05-18
Categories: Architecture, Ruins
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP AF, HOYA 67mm HMC SUPER UV(0)
Exposure: f/8, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-07-08 15:26