Christmas at York Minster Photo

Photographer’s Note

As it's Christmas Eve today, I had to post this shot of York Minster that I took a couple of weeks ago.
It shows the famous Rose Window, on the Minster's south trancept, and was taken a few minutes before sunset when the warm, low-angled light really brought out the colours and textures of the stonework.
As you can see, my intention was to frame the Minster with the Christmas decorations that were hanging across the narrow alleyway. This was easier said than done, and I had to lie flat on my back to get the composition I was looking for, much to the bemusement of the passing throngs of tourists and shoppers.
So, this is my Christmas present to you all; I hope you like it.
Have a great Christmas everyone.

Paolo, peter1892, cobraphil8, leo61, Dragonheart, Photo65Net, Floydian, cunejo200, pasternak, bantonbuju, pastadog, ribeiroantonio, steveryan2006, jarvmobile has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Paolo (40755) 2006-12-24 6:51

Hi Ben, amazing view, with a good tilted composition and excellent quality, giolden light and POV.
thanks and Merry Xmas and happy new year.
ciao

peter1892 (3201) 2006-12-24 7:14

Beautiful colours on this one, the light is great & angle of view is quite dynamic as well. I laso get bemused looks from onlookers when I'm out & about with my camera ;)

Happy Christmas!

cobraphil8 (11652) 2006-12-24 8:20

Hi Ben,
excellent and unusual composition of the Minster
I visited this one and York fifty years ago with my school.
Merry Christmas for you
Philippe

leo61 (43816) 2006-12-24 8:23

Hi Ben!
Merry christmas to you and your family.
Good composition with the christmas decoration and the tilt.The color of the facade is very nice and contrasts well with the sky.
Regards,Leo

Leonie (8647) 2006-12-24 8:25

Hi Ben, a nice christmassy light...very pleasant result. Happy Christmas!

Léonie

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-12-24 8:31

Hi Ben,
Very beautiful capture, the tilt and excellent framing make this shot. The addition of garlands and light gives a perfect festive mood.
Merry Christmas!
Vivek

mesutilgim (37324) 2006-12-24 8:48

Hi Ben
Very good pow and light !
Merry Christmas to you as well and thanks for sharing
MESUT ILGIM

Isab (865) 2006-12-24 9:03

Bonjour
cadrage et point de vue intéressant.
Très bien réalisé. L'architecture est très belle, j'aime beaucoup.
Joyeux Noël
Isabelle

sebinho342 (18784) 2006-12-24 10:28

Hi Ben, i wish you an excellent evening, picture taken at right moment of day, excellent light conditions .. there will be lot of people this evening in every churches in the world
See you my friend

Floydian (30970) 2006-12-24 10:51

Hi Ben,
Wonderful light you captured here. The church is really shining in golden light.
The tilt works perfect in combination with the Christmas frame decoration.
A good one..!!!
Have a nice Christmas, Henk

cunejo200 (7243) 2006-12-24 12:32

Hi Ben, Beautiful lighting and colors on this composition. Good details on the Rose windows and the inclusion of Christmas decorations on top give a Christmas feel. Happy holidays. Danilo

ollie59 (776) 2006-12-25 0:04

Hi Ben,
fantastic light you have captured here. The minster is bathed in glorious gold.Also with a gorgeous blue sky above.
Tilt is superb with the Christmas lights above framing .
Have a Great Christmas,
ollie

canan (963) 2006-12-25 2:51

great light and colors..the wreaths gives the soul perfectly...congr..

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-12-25 8:02

Hi Ben,
wonderful shot and excellent capture of last sun rays. The colours are outstanding. Well seen the opportunity to catch also the christmas star into the frame... I like it very much!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Tomi

pasternak (13688) 2006-12-25 14:08

What a nice Christmas picture, Ben, lying on your back for for a very good reason so to see, the golden light is really special here and it is it that makes this picture feel so festive. As for the decorations, I would like to see some sky above them as well, but I realize this was the limit ;)

Merry Christmas and a happy 2007 to you and all your dearest

Alexander

bantonbuju (48796) 2006-12-25 16:13

evening ben,
this photo is great all way through...
starting with a creative composition where you manage to include (as planned) the decorations AND the dome, then the light on the building is something extraordinary, through the colour of the sky so well coexisting with the minster...
all the best ben,
j.

pastadog (12821) 2006-12-25 16:24

Hi Ben, the wonderful golden/orange light steals the show in your pretty shot, painting the facade in a beautiful way. Excellent sky, excellent sharpness. I appreciate your efforts to get the decorations included in the frame - I don't find them really necessary but well... it's a Christmas shot! Regards, Daniel

Photo65Net (43096) 2006-12-25 17:33

Hi Ben,
Very nice tones in this picture.
Perfect POV, bringing these decorations with the Minster.
Great job.
Merry Christmas,
JB.

ribeiroantonio (21975) 2006-12-25 20:08

Wow, what a beautiful picture! The unusual POV works very well here because of the straight decorations. The low light is wonderful. Congratulations for the exceptional sharpness of this photo. Very well done.
Antonio

steveryan2006 (439) 2006-12-26 8:00

Hey Ben,
I remember this place from my last visit across the Atlantic in 2005. The rose window and the light both mighty impressive.
S.

pat0500 (21513) 2006-12-26 8:07

Hi Ben,
Indeed, when the light flash the evening that gives a good result.
Good idea for this composition and beautiful blue sky, I like much this coulours of the bulding..
Best regards and sincere friendship of Bruxelles.
I wish you * Happy New Year 2007 * and you family too.
Patrick

Budapestman (42876) 2006-12-29 14:47

Dear Ben!
This is a very fine and spectacular photo. Details are fascinating and rich. Lights are particular and glittering. Very fine impression!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
George

scobert (5333) 2007-03-28 12:31

Hello Ben,
This is a wonderful and creative photo of York Minster. I love the rich colors and the way that the cathedral is at an angle. Clever of you to include the Christmas decorations. Great Job!
Stan

jarvmobile (569) 2007-10-22 12:42

Ha....I see what you mean about the evening sunlight. It looks a completely different colour to the cathedral shot I took!

I like the angle on this shot. Because of the immense size, it is so difficult to get a shot that doesn't have funny angles. Therefore this POV removes that problem. Good thinking!