REFLECTIONS ON JEFFERSON Photo

Photographer’s Note

REFLECTIONS ON MONTICELLO

The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), was a brilliant polymath, as enthusiastic about science and technology as he was about political philosophy. As a student at North America’s second oldest university, the College of William and Mary, he had studied the Law, but claimed that his favorite teacher had been the Scottish born physics professor, William Small, after whom the institution’s physics laboratories are now named. President John F. Kennedy, once hosting 41 Nobel Prize Winners at the White House, remarked "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House — with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Jefferson served as Secretary of State, Ambassador to France, Vice-President for one term (1797-1801), and President for two terms (1801-1809). He is credited for the Louisiana Purchase (from France), virtually doubling the size of the infant United States, and commissioning the Lewis and Clark expedition that revealed the beauty and the westward extent of North America. He personally prided himself as the founder of the University of Virginia. Despite these remarkable accomplishments, it is for his wisdom and eloquence that he is perhaps best known among Americans. As the principle author of the Declaration of Independence, he wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (These are just 35 words of the 1320 contained in the Declaration)

Monticello, the home that Jefferson built for his family on a hilltop in Charlottesville, Virginia, was influenced by the work of the Paduan architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580), and became the most famous example of Jeffersonian neo-Classical architecture in the United States. The edifice puts on display Jefferson's talents as an architect, as well as many of his myriad inventions. Although construction of his architectural masterpiece commenced in 1768 and lasted four decades, he was absent for most of this time while in the service of his country. Accordingly, the best description of his beloved house is that for him it served as an occasional getaway and ultimately his retirement home.

Over the past weekend, I visited Monticello with close friends who were visiting from Memphis, Tennessee. They happened to be good friends of the recently retired Director of Monticello. I dedicate this photograph to the Director and his wife, and to our guests from Memphis. Thomas Jefferson was a tall man, measuring 1.90 m (6’3”) in height. In the ws can be seen two ladies posing with a life-size statue of Thomas Jefferson.

leonorkuhn, PaulVDV, asajernigan, dareco, Buin, KLB, ahmetgedikli, jwmunro, snunney, AiresSantos, papagolf21, yedirenk, meltemi, Wandering_Dan, ribeiroantonio, pablominto, ChrisJ, belido, rikko77, Docarmo, paololg, JCG, jafadabret, Clementi, Graal, Charo, trekks, shevchenko, Cricri, Scharan, Tue, Emile, stego, BWJ, emjleclercq, teutza, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (38827) 2009-06-08 11:50

Hi Bulent,
Very nice composition, great light and colors, well framed with these reflections.

leonorkuhn (13457) 2009-06-08 12:00

Hi Bulent,

Very nice composition. Good angle of capture, excellent colors, light and reflexes. The note is superb.

Greetings
Leonor

PaulVDV (5050) 2009-06-08 12:02

Hello Bülent,
Very beautiful colours. Nice to have the garden with all those different flowers between the house
and its reflection.
Best regards, Paul

Buin (36852) 2009-06-08 12:08

Hallo Bulent!
Besides the really beautiful scenery - an impressive place and a contribution really in terms of this site! But changing clothes of ladies ... ;-)
Did you notice the trouble concerning "terms of use" for TE?
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

asajernigan (13889) 2009-06-08 12:13

Bulent,
This is a nicely composed shot of Monticello! The reflection add nice depth to the scene while the couple give us a sense of scale. Your note is outstanding as expected! The lighting and colors are fine with nice sharpness and detail.
TFS,
Asa

dareco (17024) 2009-06-08 12:38

A magnificient place, and one I would love to visit someday. The picture is flawless, and I love the reflection. TFS

alvaraalto (5227) 2009-06-08 13:10

Dag Bulent,

I like the excellent POV you chose here. Full sight at the building with a small reflection at the bottom. Your note is again of high quality.

Groet Rob

KLB (17800) 2009-06-08 13:32

Hello Bulent

Once again you've presented here a very elegant picture. The great light sublimates the natural colours of the nice garden, and the striking quality draw our attention.
You've chosen a perfect angle to capture this refined architecture and to get a beautiful reflection of the house.
A bright image, compliments.

Regards
Karine

ahmetgedikli (21559) 2009-06-08 14:06

Hocam merhaba,
Işığı, rengi bakış açısı, netliği ve de yansıması ile harika bir görünüm... Ellerinize sağlık, saygılar.
Ahmet

jwmunro (6709) 2009-06-08 14:17

Hello Bulent -

How appropriate, I just finished reading a novel by Brad Thor that was wrapped around Jefferson's study of Islam and his troubles along the Barbary Coast. I have been here several times and it is a real pleasure to walk through Jefferson's home, lands, and buildings to wonder and marvel at the inquisitive nature of Jefferson. I guess some can say he is America's Di Vinci. Excellent image and reflection. I think the inclusion of the two people was a very good choice as it adds modern life to this noble structure. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

snunney (34060) 2009-06-09 1:41

Hello Bulent,
A great composition of this magnificent house. It is well framed to capture the lovely reflection in the pool and has the added benefit of a very pleasing ambient light. The two visitors walking across the façade help create a nice mood to the shot. Perfect technical presentation.

AiresSantos (41322) 2009-06-09 7:06

Hi Bulent
Fine view of this famous building and the reflections.
I like a lot how you framed it and vertical format. Excellent colours and light
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

papagolf21 (55956) 2009-06-09 11:27

Bonsoir, mon ami Bulent,
Magnifique résidence avec ces jolies colonnes blanches surmontées d'un fronton triangulaire et créant ainsi un péristyle. Le style est bien reconnaissable. Une grande et belle maison qui se mire avec délectation dans cette eau dormante.
Une excellente prise de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

emka (21143) 2009-06-09 13:46

Hi Bulent,

Very interesting note about jefferson, i learn always something new. Beautiful classic building and wonderful flowers. Perfect composition with two persons and reflections. I like the nice portrat of two ladies.

Warm regards

Malgorzata

stelli (2939) 2009-06-09 14:01

Marvelous note! Excellent colors and reflections! Very informative and descriptive WS!!! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

sucaattin (350) 2009-06-10 3:16

Merhaba Bülent bey,
Yine çok güzel bir görüntü ve harika bir fotoğraf. Işık, renkler ve yansıma, ancak bu kadar güzel bir araya gelebilir.
Selamlar,
Sucattin

Bluejeans (31553) 2009-06-10 8:03

Ola Buulent,
Lindo reflexo capturado neste pequeno lago , a casa tem uma arquitectura muito bonita com aquelas paredes de tijolos pequenos , bonito contraste entre o azul e verde, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

yedirenk (7129) 2009-06-10 11:59

hocama merhaba,
dikey kadrajda enfes bir kompozisyon.renkler,ışık ve yansımalar muhteşem.netliği de ayrı güzel.ellerinize sağlık.selamlar,sevgiler

Cevdet

TGULUMSER (12418) 2009-06-10 12:54

Bulent Hocam merhaba,
Herseyi ile cok guzel bir kare olmus, tebrikler,
Elinize saglik,
Tulay

jhm (81687) 2009-06-11 2:36

Hi Dear Bulent,

Now I understand your email, very nice picture the two ladies she are fantastic, age this is no problem.
You chose a very nice angle we see excellent the reflections in water.
Splendid composition and good colours, fine picture.
Very well done, also your note as usual perfect. TFS.

Warmest regards,
John.

Wandering_Dan (3181) 2009-06-11 6:58

Merhaba, Bulent -

Monticello is magnificent, isn't it? And this photo shows it at its best, from an unusual perspective, without trying to show too much.

Did you visit Jefferson's grave? The tombstone, cut to his order, lists his accomplishments. "President" is not on the list. (Founder of the UVA is.)

Best,
Dan

ribeiroantonio (21739) 2009-06-11 7:21

A magnificent house can only produce a magnificent photo. You have done very well in here, with a great result in light, colour and the great reflection. Well done.
Antonio

pablominto (39918) 2009-06-11 23:14

Hello Bulent,

The outstanding architecture is well depicted!
Superb details in the house and garden, and the colourful flowers contrast well with the brick walls...
The reflection adds another angle, and the human factor is well taken care of!

Greetings,
Pablo -

ChrisJ (69522) 2009-06-12 3:11

Hi Bulent

A marvellous, symmetrcal reflection, with good sharpness & superb color & saturation. Have a great weekend! Tfs!

belido (16043) 2009-06-12 6:36

Hi Bulent,

I don't know what you did in the post processing but it looks this came from a fantasy book. Perhaps the combination of lighting and colors resulted in what we see. The classic architecture as the theme, the human inclusion and finally the reflection which an importan part of the composition. I really like this!
Regards,
Carlos

rikko77 (5518) 2009-06-12 7:04

Hi Bulent
good choice keeping those two people in the frame: it enhances the sense of building proportions and afterall gives a sense of peace and quiteness to your pic. Beautiful reflection, I also like the flowers line which seems to divide the real world from the reflection, the dream.
Have a nice weekend,
Rikk

Silvio1953 (40771) 2009-06-12 12:31

Ciao Bulent, great view of lovely building with fantastic reflections, splendid light and colors, superb composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

Docarmo (8812) 2009-06-12 12:46

Hi Bulent,
I like the reflections in the foreground and the successive layers of elements. Very well done!
Docarmo

Fis2 (45194) 2009-06-12 13:44

Witaj Bulent!
A wonderful object, beautiful architecture.
Good frame and colors.
I like the reflections in water.
Well done
Regards
Krzysztof

paololg (13172) 2009-06-13 14:28

Ciao dear Bulent,
excellent photo of this beautiful architecture in neoclassic style. The your good POV has allowed you a pleasant composition with flowers and reflexes that enrich the image. The human presence gives life to the scene. I have read with pleasure your interesting notes, allowing me to know the life of a great man as Thomas Jefferson and a piece of history of the United States. You are a good photographer and a man that spreads the culture in the world. Thanks!
Ciao, have a nice Sunday!
Paolo

PS: only a small specification: Andrea Palladio was not Venetian. He was born in Padua and he is dead in Maser near Treviso. In Maser there is a beautiful villa by him projected (Villa Barbaro) that you can see in these Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

anesugur (16538) 2009-06-13 14:59

Fotoğraf çok güzel. Ama buraya girmek için sizin gibi bir Hoca olmak gerekli herhalde...
Selam ve saygılar. Uğur

JCG (24827) 2009-06-13 23:31

Hello Bülent,

Very beautiful photograph with a good use of the light of the moment, I like much contrasts. A place really interesting and, seems it, very pleasant for the walk. The colors are superb and the reflection brings much to the image. Marvellous glance and thank you Bülent for the note always so interesting and instructive.

With all my friendships and very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

jafadabret (38927) 2009-06-14 2:32

Bonjour Bulent.
J'aime beaucoup l'équilibre de cette composition. Les couleurs et les reflets contribuent aussi à la beauté de l'ensemble.
Un vrai plaisir !
Amicalement
Jacques

ymrk (8333) 2009-06-14 8:31

En çok netlikten ve renklerin o muhteşem ahenginden etkilendim.
Selamlar ve saygılarla hocam,kesinlikle müthiş bir fotoğraf!

Yağmur

Clementi (42865) 2009-06-14 13:33

Ciao Bulent,
I am not an expert of art, but seeing this photo has immediately come me to mind Palladio, then I have read your note and I have understood. beautiful photo with a splendid light and marvelous architecture.
Giorgio

Graal (57268) 2009-06-14 23:57

Hi Bulent,
beautiful place, good composed photo with the reflections in water. An interesting informations about of president Jefferson. Well photojob and note.
Gr., Aleksander

hay_kes (28554) 2009-06-15 13:33

Merhaba Hocam,
Son derece etkileyici bir görsellik.Işık, renk, netlik, perspektif ve yansıma harika.Elinize sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

tober (3892) 2009-06-15 15:24

Merhaba Sayın Hocam, buraya emek harcayarak yüklediğiniz ve bol aydınlatıcı bilgi içeren çalışmaları biraraya getirseniz herhalde küçük bir ansiklopedi ortaya çıkar. Her fotoğrafınızda olduğu gibi, bu çalışmanızda da daha önceden bilmediğim şeyleri öğremniş oldum. Monticello'nun mimarî yapısını çok güzel bir açıdan, yansımaları da içerecek şekilde fotoğrafınıza aksettirmişsiniz.

Lizbon'dan okyanusun karşı kıyısına selam ve saygılar,

Tolga

Charo (31651) 2009-06-15 15:25

Hello Bulent,
Wonderful perspective on this beautiful house (as befits a president) and very good reflexes.
Excellent colors, light and detail.
Great job!
Best wishes,
Charo

trekks (14260) 2009-06-15 19:53

hi Bulent

I always appreciate the way you presented your photos with excellent notes that I can learn about the history and background to them.

I think this is better than history lesson class. And I have seen Jefferson's on Mount Rushmoore in South Dakota on my road trip. I am trying to associate this with that masterpiece on the rock face.

Your WS is well presented because I see the statue of Jefferson holding a scroll whereas your lady friends were holding gold and silver bags :) No chance that the ladies also holding scrolls for the shot? If you really wish to emphasize on height, you could have get down on knees to shoot lower angle.

You have presented a lovely home and in the best way I can appreciate the beauty of the architecture, not only that but the fine reflection off the pond and the colors of the bright cheerful garden.

Very well taken photograph.

tfs, bill

shevchenko (9746) 2009-06-15 20:09

Hi Bulent,

Interesting history for study while I'm now no need to sit for the examination, hard to study political histories with many characters, agreements, solutions...etc.

Good pov to show the historical architecture with including reflection, nice brown brick walls and white columns, I like the garden too, good exposure, lighting and color between bright and dim area, distinct photo, well done.

Ally

Cricri (42797) 2009-06-16 9:54

Hi Bulent
Très belle utilisation des reflets, les couleurs et la lumière parfaite dans cette belle présentation et note intéressante
Good evening for you
cricri

Scharan (13951) 2009-06-16 15:18

Olá Bulent

A foto é linda, a composição perfeita,
as cores e os reflexos maravilhosos.
Amei este trabalho, meus parabéns!
GA
Vera

Tue (25608) 2009-06-19 3:33

Hi Bulent,
A very informative note to accompany this excellent impression of Monticello. I like the shadows in the foreground, which bring out the facade in the sunlight even better. Great inclusion of the lovely reflections too. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

mauro61 (14614) 2009-06-20 13:12

ciao Bulent,
bella immagine di questa residenza dagli ottimi colori e la perfetta definizione.
Mi piace molto la ricerca del riflesso che sei riuscito a trovare nella parte inferiore dello scatto.
saluti
maurizio

Emile (19789) 2009-06-24 14:49

Hola Bulent.
Wonderful composition, good diagonal photo of this beautiful architecture with it's reflection, colors and light are very good. Nice frame. Very well captured. Thank you for your excellent note.
TFS.
Best regards.

Vasa (4836) 2009-06-25 10:12

Another nice picture from Virginia. Again the signature of Batalay. Just superb motif. The light is your partner here. J am your friend, Bulent!

Branko

stego (22326) 2009-06-25 12:46

Hello Bülent,

Beautiful presentation of the charming architecture and gardens. I like the presence of the couple. The colours of that garden well lit by the good weather are a delight to the eyes. As usual, the note is as absorbing and educative as the photo.

Warm Regards to you and also to the glamorous lady that appears on the right side of T. Jefferson's statue,

José

BWJ (1771) 2009-06-28 17:49

Hello Bulent,
Your photo of Monticello is gorgeous. The lighting and colors are fabulous with excellent sharpness and detail. I like your vantage point. The gardens and reflections in the water double the interest and beauty of the scene. It is the best picture I have seen of Monticello.
Kind regards,
Betty

emjleclercq (14127) 2009-07-05 0:22

A beautifull classical residence. Your very interesting note tell the story of a different America, where Art and Science seemed to be valued more than Money. I enjoyed it very much.

All the best,

Emmanuel

jmcl (13721) 2009-07-22 13:55

Hi Bulent,

you have really captured simple elegance here ... the layers .. especially the flowers .. the stillness of the reflection .. wonderfully composed to amplify the place .. very nice. take care, John

devimeuxbe (55673) 2009-07-28 13:44

Hi Bulent
the architecture of this rich house is very nice; You have well managed the reflection; Beautifull vertical cropping.
Well done
Bertrand

testmaniac (11832) 2009-08-02 1:35

Hi Bulent, nice and colorful photo! Good job!

TFS and regards,
Phil

teutza (10558) 2009-09-08 13:28

Hello Bulent,
this is indeed a beautiful house. i woldn't mind living in it:) nice reflexion. it gives a good balance to the image.
thank you for the interesting note too!!
teo

Angshu (33267) 2009-09-19 21:41

Hello Professor 'A'
Nicely composed shot of Monticello...what I like more infact is the reflection which looks like a painting...wished you could show a bit more of the reflection in the frame. Good exposure with varied degree of light & shade. And as always your note is informative & a pleasure to read!
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

sacavem (8058) 2009-09-28 3:34

Olá Bulent,

Excellent shot of these nice reflections, with lovely colours and perfect clarity.
Best regards,
Filipe

jmdias (18733) 2009-10-04 10:31

bulent

interesting house, I liked its shapes and lines. good pov, the lght is perfect. I liked the way you put the building, the flowers, personages and reflections, creating a nice compo

hugs

jorge

josepmarin (33577) 2009-10-30 1:43

Hello Bulent,
This neoclassic architecture with Palladio's influences is magnificent, its beauty and the contrast between the brown tones of the bricks and the white tones in the building, with a few wonderful spring tones in the garden they offer us a very attractive image.
In addition, its reflections on the water and the nice sky with decorative clouds, complete an impeccable, elegant and very well executed composition.
Bravo!!
Friendly regards,
Josep