Santa Fe Colors, a photo from New Mexico, West

Photographer's Note

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the oldest state capital in the United States, despite New Mexico being one of the last states admitted into the Union - it was granted statehood in 1912 as the 47th state. The city itself was founded in the 16th century during the high point of Spanish colonialism in North America. It soon became a major center of settlement and trade in the region, and developed a culture and architecture of its own.

The area itself had long been home to a number of Indian or Native American groups classified today as Pueblo Indians due to their style of living in villages carved from rock and augmented by walls made from adobe, a mixture of earth, straw and water which provided good relief from the climate. Adobe, in an updated form, remains a major building material in the region today, and examples of it can be seen all over Santa Fe, including in the building in this photo.

To be perfectly honest, I can't tell you what building this is - it is one of many similar shots (another in WS). I found myself enthralled by the color and texture of the adobe buildings, and filled a decent chunk of my memory card with them during our limited time in the city.

Royaldevon, danos, Sonata11, bukitgolfb301 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mjw364 (3720) 2012-08-30 6:17

Hi Andrew

Another great shot making great use of geometric shapes and contasting colours. What I really like about this though is the aoft eges to the building and the contrast of light and shade on them. It makes the building look like a pastel or chalk based image then this "illusion" is disrupted by the clarity of the reflections in the windows.

Lots of interesting things to observe with this one.

Nice work

Mike

rbellemare (2087) 2012-08-30 7:18

Hello Andrew,

Nice presentation of this Mexican architecture. Great colours contrast. The shadow area might be a bit to dark, but the overall picture is harmonious. Great composition.

Réjean

holmertz (26980) 2012-08-30 7:42

Hello Andrew,
I like the clean lines and the pure colors, including the balance between blue and light brown. I also like how the logs stcking out from the shaded walls are shining from the sunlight. It's interesting that similar conditions create similar building styles in very far away parts of the world. I would expect something like this in North Africa or the Sahel region.
Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (17791) 2012-08-30 10:29

Hello Andrew,

The play of light and shadow on this building is truly artistic. It defines the shapes and the edges so well.
I have to agree with Mike, it looks like a chalk picture.
A lovely composition with sharp details.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

danos (74056) 2012-08-30 13:18

Hello Andrew,
a really nice and churmy sample of Santa Fe colours,with the characteristic architectural style to make the image unique.
I like the pale colours with the contrast of them to make the image so beautiful.

Regards,Danos

Sonata11 (28375) 2012-08-30 19:35

Hello Andrew,
Wow!!! Very beautiful composition of this amazingly beautiful architecture with magnificent details. I'm sooo impressed of its beauty. Fantastic management of light, colors, sharpness, super clarity. Perfectly well done. I really love it. Awesome job. Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Barbara

bukitgolfb301 (30087) 2012-08-31 0:14

Hello my dear Andrew

Very soft and delicate color touch you get. Very elegant and fragiel shot indeed. The description for the shade is very delight and slight deviced. Thanks for your sharing a finest shot and have a good day!

Takero from hottest Tokyo

lousat (57704) 2012-08-31 4:28

Hi Andrew,what a strange and original architechtures,remember me the old granary of the south of Tunisia.Great capture whit an original crop and beautiful details and colors,very professional mamagement of the different light levels too.Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Nicou (97775) 2012-08-31 5:10

Hlelo

quelle douceur dans les tons sueprbe soit dans le ciel soit sur la facade ocre, fantastique iamge et cadrage de cet édiffice sueprbe iamge.

bravo et amitié

Nicou