Greensted Church Photo

Photographer’s Note

Greensted is the oldest wooden church in the world, dating from the 11th century, the walls are constructed of vertical split oaks. It is beautiful little church with Tudor chancel and a Crusaders grave. The Tolpuddle Martyrs settled here after their pardon (one owned my house). St Edmund’s body supposedly rested here on it's way to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.
Very difficult to capture the full range of tones from the black pitch of the old oaks to the bright white of the clapboard tower in any thing other than chocolate box light and grads are very tricky with the tower, so a lot of fruitless journies so far but I think I nailed it yesterday.
Tech:channels conversion to B&W, curves corrected.

marcnol has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ninadev (5225) 2004-01-19 13:05

Wow! what a spooky mood. Strange how there is only one grave right in the middle of this cemetery. The light on the tower is just incredible.
I have to place this photo in 2 of my themes: ghosty mood and churches.
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I would be tempted to crop a little of the bottom halfway between the border of the photo and the grave.

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nielsenallan (524) 2004-01-19 13:10

Is this place haunted ? A very moody photo. Technical I like the dark contrast with the brightness in it. It looks like you took it when it was full moon, but I think it was captured in full daylight? Technical good shot.

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wtolyz (20) 2004-01-19 13:16

Beautiful and touching picture. Great composition. I like it alot. Very well done, Richard!

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cloverstar (0) 2004-01-19 13:19

Nice mysterious feeling to this photo. I'm curious as to what time of day it was taken. I noticed the long shadow on the tombstone, but the photo appears to be taken by moonlight. Good job.

SofiaC (215) 2004-01-19 13:22

Excelent composition!!
The B&W works perfectly!!
I love it!

mrcrow (3989) 2004-01-19 13:34

reward for patience..
a powerful shot and showing meticulous planning for position and b/w vision. it reeks of filtration but is the real deal..nature wins again.!
you did this on the camera with minimum after processing..?(i dont know what channels conversion to b/w, curves corrected is as yet..)
cheers

guyben (1097) 2004-01-19 13:59

Great photo Richard.
That lone grave sets the ghostly mood in this shot, and the light falling on the house really seems like it's a full moon night.
Spooky indeed :).
Very well done.

martin (1242) 2004-01-19 14:07

This certainly captures a ghostly atmosphere, Richard. The use of B&W is particularly effective. An informative note.

Ebbe (9571) 2004-01-19 14:08

A very special feeling in this B&W, very well done. The single gravestone and the simple architecture makes me think more of the Wild West or other place for settlers than England. Very well done!!

BTW, I have, IMHO, no idea what chocolate box colors are.

andyohare (437) 2004-01-19 16:46

Yes, Richard, I think you nailed it too! The light is perfect. This image has a lovely 'handmade' feel to it somehow. Thanks fo rthe note, too.

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2004-01-19 17:58

Great atmosphere here. Great composition.

Were you able to get any people in other shots? Someone looking real freaky to the lower right would be cool.

daveysteel (149) 2004-01-19 18:54

Superb shot of a great church. I almost want to head inside the church as that sky looks certain to pour down any moment!

henrye (3498) 2004-01-20 3:21

Amazing black and white photo! You did very well to capture all the shades of black and white. Perfect composition. Very well done!

joseelias (367) 2004-01-20 5:10

Excelent softness in the image. Also like the dark atmosphere as it creates a mistical atmosphere.

About your crop I think it would be nice to cut a bit from the top (I prefer this one) or the bottom to help to define clearly the main subject of the photo. Cutting the top would give more emphasis to the stone, and vice-versa.

Curioso (9117) 2004-01-20 12:38

Great mood ! I love this scene.

pascalbene (1730) 2004-01-20 18:49