Autumn Morning, New Lanark Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another photograph taken a few mornings ago in New Lanark. Taken contre jour facing east toward the rising sun, you can see the roofs and the chimneys of the houses which were the original accommodation of the workers here.

Robert Owen, a Welshman and later colleague of Richard Arkwright, the inventor of the spinning frame, did much to develop the cloth trade in north-west England. Owen travelled north and, during a visit to the Glasgow area, fell in love with Caroline Dale, daughter of the proprietor, David Dale, of a new spinning and weaving mill at New Lanark. Not only did he marry Dale's daughter but he also did much to develop the site in New Lanark and was also responsible for social reform, making certain that his workers had fair pay, good nutrition and satisfactory living conditions.

Once again, you can read more about Robert Owen and New Lanark on the wonderful "Undiscovered Scotland" website here and here.

New Lanark is now a heritage centre and well worth a visit. The houses, originally built for workers at the mills and now restored, are much sought after as prime accommodation for local workers and commuters to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE6.

All comments/critiques/advice welcome!

photoray, Glint, Royaldevon, graffer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

photoray (1224) 2009-11-14 17:14

Hello John,
Appealing image of the antique buildings surrounded in fall, and a difficult shot towards the sun, yet the mist and rays add to the mystique.

Good job,
Ray

goodfella (137) 2009-11-14 19:09

I like the mist and sunshine above this nice building. Nice point of view looking down on the building. Nice scene.
-Migelo

Glint (3039) 2009-11-15 0:57

hello John,
perfect use of contre joure.I really love this one! Gorgeous lights and wondeful autumn colours.The diagonal line of rooftops and their chimneys with shadows look so good and work marvellously compositionally.Mist and smoke? adds to the atmosphere.I'm envious!
best regards,
Bev

Royaldevon (5884) 2009-11-16 1:13

Hello John,

I must praise you, here, for your originality and experimentation. You have achieved a remarkable shot!
The skills of diagonal composition, triangular f/g and sharp focus, have been implemented, but you have captured far more than that; the contrasts of light and shade, the morning awakening, the details of what appears a bygone age, are all there! I do like this!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)
One for my favourites!

windosil (764) 2009-11-16 11:56

A real tour-de-force, John! No more need be said.
Good note, too.
Best wishes,
Winifred

graffer (1764) 2009-11-17 3:33

Hello John,

A lovely early morning contre-jour shot. The eye is led through the image along the gently bending line of roofs with their chimneys. As you mention in your reply to Bev, they do indeed look like a steam train with the linked "carriages" of the houses.

A fine foreground, with those protruding stems of the autumnal coloured plants curving out over the grey slates of the roofs.

I particularly like that little area of the image showing a strong contrast of dark and light, where the left hand chimney of the nearest roof is silhouetted sharply against the white mist

A very attractive picture.

Kind regards,

Peter.

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (2660)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-11-09
Categories: Nature, Architecture, Decisive Moment
Camera: Canon 20D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP AF, Hoya 67mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-11-14 16:43
Favorites: 2 [view]