Monfort Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Monfort is one of the most impressive of Israel's Crusader castles. It has identifiable watchtowers, winepress, and church, built on the wooded hills of Western Galilee. The Monfort Castle was originally built by the French Crusaders in 1226. The Teutonic knights changed its name from Monfort (strong mountain) to Starkenberg when they bought it. Although it had no real strategic value, they knights modified the castle. It became their central treasury, archives, and headquarters in the Holy Land. The Mamluks, led by the Sultan Baybars, conquered the castle in 1271.

While our guide was telling us about the history of this place, this guy's mind was on something else, and my mind was on this picture.

pedros, jmdaoudal, PLD_images, capa, ChrisJ, Kenny10pin, bantonbuju, nwoehnl, supereira, jhm, jrj, Georges, bertolucci, Didi, Geo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jmdaoudal (82) 2004-12-28 19:16

Sure I would have reversed the dof with a focus on the castel. The mportance you give to the guide is well done and the subject nteresting;
Compliments
Jean Michel

PLD_images (7143) 2004-12-28 19:49

I like this one a lot Itzik,

It would have been nice to see only the castle but I find this much more interesting. I like the contrast between the old castle and the modern man with his "Nike" cap and sunglass. Very well framed with the just the right blur on the castle. Nicely done my friend.

ChrisJ (70521) 2004-12-28 23:11

Hi Yitzhak

A good experiment to shift the dof focus from the fort, to the man in the foreground. Good accompanying note.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-12-29 4:05

interesting photo, I like the focus on the guy, is he eating icecream? I think the catle could be a little darker?

bantonbuju (48856) 2004-12-29 4:13

yes, the mates are right - the clue of this pic is the exact focus on the front-guy; the castle is just a minor item on the pic, and the note tells the rest; good TE use of the tools: pic+note

nwoehnl (120) 2004-12-29 5:46

Yes, Itzik, as mentioned by the other guys, the "shifted" focus is what does the trick here - the castle becomes kind of a side prop, neither taking much of the guy's attention nor our's. Good rendition of colors and light.

supereira (9576) 2004-12-29 6:06

Great shot.I like the point of view and DOF.Great colors and good contrast between them.Good light and sharpness.Well done!

avish (47) 2004-12-29 6:10

Hope he enjoyed his ice cream bar. Nice contrast between modern man and old structure. Will you post a pic with the castle in focus as well?

jhm (83786) 2004-12-29 6:35

A very nice note, Yitzhak, maybe a pity for the castle, because I had gladly seen the castle, the focus is perfect on the man, and very sharp and clear.
Greetings John.

jrj (34779) 2004-12-29 6:55

Interesting compo where the main motive must be the detail with the guy there. Still in the blurred dof we can have an impression of the ancient castle. Kind of another way to 'do it' - the notes is good for understanding.

Georges (11185) 2004-12-29 11:39

Bonsoir Yitzhak et joyeuses fetes.

J'apprecie ici la profondeur de champ bien maitrisée qui donne et permet de se focaliser sur le principal sujet.
Bravo

jrzufferey (7249) 2004-12-30 13:06

Bonne idée de jouer avec la profondeur de champs pour mettre en avant le sujet principal. Amicalement/jr

manny (21378) 2004-12-31 1:21

Happy New Year Yitzhak.

Good composition. I like the foreground background dynamics here with the right amount of DOF.

bertolucci (12022) 2004-12-31 13:20

I love the reversed DoF you used here Yithzak. The guy in front savouring the aftertaste of his icecream and not in the least interested in this historic edifice in front of him. The strong grean-black contrast works also very well here. Lovely job.
A Happy New Year to you and y'r family.

Didi (36674) 2004-12-31 16:17

L'historique est très intéressant et l'architecture me fait penser aux châteaux Cathares de France, style Quéribus.
Originale ce réglage de la focale sur le guide, mais on distingue quand-même les ruines.
Bonne année Yitzhak.

The history is very interesting and architecture makes me think of the Cathares castles of France like Quéribus style.
Original this adjustment of the focal distance on the guide, but the ruins anyway are distinguished. Happy new year Yitzhak.

Geo (1239) 2005-01-01 14:48

An interesting idea. The out-of-focus castle adds to the mystery of the scene, but the subject doesn't seem to care. Also an interesting perspective. I am not sure where the photographer is standing. For some reason it feels like he is on a narrow path with the danger of falling.