St Pierre I Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The Cathedral of St Peter not only dominates Geneva’s present day skyline from an imposing hilltop position, but has also played a crucial part in local history.

It is externally a somewhat untidy mixture of architectural styles that is immediately obvious thanks to the neo-classical façade, which does not fit in with the pretty surrounding medieval square. But this theme on Geneva’s old town focus on exteriors, and that’s why I’ve chosen to show you some photographs with facade details rather than the interior of the cathedral.

However, if you ever come to Geneva, please know that the interior is a much more harmonious affair, primarily because of the removal of almost all decoration during the years that Jean Calvin preached from the pulpit, which was a time when the city was known as the Protestant Rome.

In addition, it is also possible to ascend to the top of one of the towers. Although climbing the 150 steps of the fairly claustrophobic staircase may be a daunting prospect, doing so is certainly worthwhile because the views over the rooftops to the lake and the mountains are wonderful.

Ps: this is the first post of a series of 4 photographs taken from almost the same place (+/- 50 meters from each other)

elihesamian, Olga, Eagle78, cgrindahl, prlcs, henrye, charmante, jhonny_blue, mikee, bertolucci, Porteplume has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

maciekda (19599) 2004-06-16 4:26

another nice composition from you Gal, i like the way you have filled the frame, no empty space, so dense.. very nice work

RGatward (19759) 2004-06-16 4:30

A continuing good series, with another interesting note. Again very good detail, well manage shot. I don't agree with Dan,I think the buildings in the foreground lead your eye into the frame.

DanTe (575) 2004-06-16 4:33

I think that shot has a little too many details from the other buildings, maybe another DOF or point of view?
==========
Rgatward, you're perfectly right. Looking second time i realised that it's a very good composition. My mystake.

elihesamian (26091) 2004-06-16 4:51

Great,Gal!
I agree to Richard,Respectfully to Dan,too:)
Excellent cropped,details are very nice,I like very much This kinds of colors of building,The contrast is well controlled.
Well done,Applausive shot.

Olga (927) 2004-06-16 4:53

i like the "flat" view with some perspective nonetheless.

Piotr (0) 2004-06-16 5:10

Your architecture shots are real interesting and very well composed, Bravo Gal!

dominique (11414) 2004-06-16 5:26

Always also interesting is beautiful, likes the color of the stones and this small framing is really good. well considering

yesterday (9787) 2004-06-16 5:48

And we have another perfect photo from you, Sorry I can't find any fault on this one:-).

GREAT work.

Gatis (899) 2004-06-16 6:12

Beautiful idea to fill whole picture with architecture

cmartos (6086) 2004-06-16 6:18

La perspective est excellente Gal. Le point de vue et la cadrage également. Un jeu de verticales et fuyantes très structuré, architectural. Le mélange des style est vraiment bien présenté, on se concentre sur l'essentiel. C'est parfaitement réalisé, un succès!

PS: La note est un peu longue, ça me fait perdre beaucoup de temps ;-), mais elle est très bien :-).

Eagle78 (1925) 2004-06-16 9:24

Great capture Gal! Your composition gives this image a strong arquitecture, bringing those texture up. Great colors and superb frame, well done :)

lost (694) 2004-06-16 9:51 [Comment]

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cgrindahl (6109) 2004-06-16 11:43

An exercise in verticals here, really capturing what must be the predominant feeling of such a space. I'll look forward to subsequent images from the same location. You clearly manage both the light and the perspective distortions very adeptly. It boggles the mind of an American that we're looking here at buildings, all of which are older than just about anything constructed in this country. This is a wonderful additon to your series Gal.

prlcs (63) 2004-06-16 14:12

Excellente composition qui mène tout droit vers St Pierre (euh pas au ciel directement, n'est-ce pas !). J'aime beaucoup le détail et le jeu des différents couleurs et tons des pierres.
Et encore une question : j'ai une impression d'un effet d'optique qui fait croire que l'église est inclinée vers la droite ? je pense que cela vient des diagonales provenant du bâtiment de gauche. Mais suis-je le seul à avoir cette impression ?
Beau travail en tout cas Gal, et vivement la suite...

bfly (5741) 2004-06-16 14:59

Gal, I understand your comments about the spices better now...as I think the same of you/your pictures..you have your style in every subject (all different kinds) you shoot..these flat facades without a hint of sky...so sharp and so non-imposing...now without the name I can read you..
but my turn to pull the strings now :)..I love your bws better than anything..your bw tulips are a visual I will never forget in my life...they thought me a lot you cannot imagine..

henrye (3498) 2004-06-17 1:21

Great mix of architectural styles in this photo. Very well seen and photographed. I like the frame too. Personally I would have liked to see more contrast in this one, but that's just me. This series of yours is great!

manny (21378) 2004-06-17 3:11

Interesting way you've composed this one. It has a mixed of many structures but because of their uniform colors, it creata a one whole scene of shapes and patterns. As usual, this is a great shot.

BTW Gal, how do you do the border line with a very subtle white stroke in between?

charmante (1053) 2004-06-17 4:55

/i like the architectural frame, it shows the up-growing levels in ascending position.
but as an Architect, I'd like to know when it was bulit, by whom & what's the style ?

jhonny_blue (4954) 2004-06-17 5:05

Vc mora num lugar lindíssimo, pena que já não me lembro muito bem de Geneve...
Bela foto, boas cores, parabéns !

mikee (2006) 2004-06-25 18:14

Wonderful composition with good textures and architectural details. I like the way you filled the frame. It emphasizes the magnitude of the tower/facade but it gives a tight crowding feel as well. Well done!

Is the structure on the right part of the cathedral?

Some of the architectural details seem to be of early gothic period, maybe even late romanesque. The structure clearly belongs to the medieval period, but I noticed in your pictures and your note that it has a neo-classical facade. I think that's a pitty. Seems like a similar story with the Duomo in Milano. Does the cathedral preserve any of the original medieval doorways?

bertolucci (12024) 2004-07-12 16:24

Hi Gal, During my holidays I seem to have missed your entire architecture series. I must say I like it very much. The consequent omission of the sky, the very good exposure and the excellent choice of subjects. This verticalism is a prime example. Very well done!

Didi (37199) 2004-08-02 14:55

Vous êtes un adepte du cadrage serré; cela évite les déformations de perspective causées par les optiques.
J'adopte de temps à autre cette méthode comme vous avez pu le voir.
Icil les plans sont compressés et cela donne un très bel effet qui met en valeur les lignes géométriques de l'architecture.

Porteplume (3259) 2004-08-07 6:25

I just discovered your serie (theme) on Geneve, it's really the city saw through the eyes of a lover... Thank you for sharing!

This shot is a perfect tight framing on an unbelievable sharp image. Excellent.