Rievaulx Abbey Photo

Photographer’s Note

Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

Scene
Late in the afternoon with the waining sun casting this old abbey in golden light. Founded in 1132 by St. Bernard the abbey had became one of the wealthiest before it's dissolution by King Henry the VIII th in 1538.

Background
We arrived late in the afternoon, about 1600 hours, only to discover the abbey was closed to visitors. We roamed the fence lines and through the village taking pictures. We were debating jumping the fence and entering the property when we discovered the main gate was wide open and others were on the abbey proper. We entered and spent the remaining light taking pictures and enjoy the companionship of new found friends.

rushfan2112, stego, pboehringer, Photo65Net, feather, Floydian, carper, scobert, plimrn, Didi, abulafia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rushfan2112 (2965) 2007-12-29 12:57

Hi John.

Great, natural colours and the place almost 'glows' with the low, early autumn afternoon light. The wooden fence acts as a 'full stop' and defines the boundary nicely. The sheep add an almost Constable-esque pastoral feel. The fact that you've allowed a bit of room around the structure sets them in context nicely.

Superb photo. Regards, Paul.

mehr (1358) 2007-12-29 13:08

Hi John,
beautiful view of this castle with nice light and colours.
TFS.
Bahram

stego (22448) 2007-12-29 13:38

Hi John,
After having seen Kath's posts of this place, I almost feel like knowing the place, but the fact is that you show us another beautiful POV. The compo is impeccably done, with the ruins very well placed and a wonderful light. The animals enhance a pleasant bucolic atmosphere.
Regards, José.
I wish you a Happy New Year!

pboehringer (770) 2007-12-29 15:25

John,
the weather doesn't look very attractive, but the light on the ruins is quite special. Gooc composition with the trees and little forest on the tops framing the Abbey. I wish you wold have had some sheep more in the foreground.
Did you receive my mail regarding web-page building software?
Happy New Year!
Peter

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-12-29 17:06

Hi John,
Although the colours due to the weather are not especially spectacular, I like the way you composed this photo. I like that you included the surroundings of the ruins, and also partially covered by the tree.
Difficult to shoot in England?
best wishes for 2008
Jorge

PJE (19483) 2007-12-29 21:47

John I know so little about the ruins of England. But understand this used to be a monastery founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1132 and became one of England’s wealthiest monasteries before its dissolution by King Henry VIII in 1538. Very interesting place.

Even though closed I would say that your photo from the fence brought a nice balance in the frame with nicely exposed clouds and good complementary exposure on the landscape. Good work John and Happy New Year to ya!

Photo65Net (43096) 2007-12-30 2:12

Salut John,
A very nice compo.
I like a lot the way the Abbey melt with its environment, and your framang, and the tones, add to this melting.
Beautiful, very pleasant one,
regards,
JB.

feather (50122) 2007-12-30 3:12

The light was very gentle and it is illuminating those old stones very well. The ruins stand out from the surroundings but are beautifully framed by the trees. The slight touch of autumn colours adds to the appeal of the image. This is a good vantage point when the abbey is closed. Good work
Kath

Floydian (30970) 2007-12-30 5:56

Hi John,
Nice, very nice. Very subtile and taken from a distance which shows the castle in all his glory. I like that fence in front which creates a kind of barrier from the grassland in front the the castle and his surrounding.
A picture i also would have made from this pov...very nice work in presentation and light.
Regards, Henk

carper (65598) 2007-12-30 6:09

very nice one John.
It looks a very nice place to me, well composed and a posibility for a carper format...
very good pov, and nice photojob, a good 2008 for you and your family

scobert (5333) 2007-12-31 9:27

Hello John,
I am still thawing out from the Broncos game yesterday. The weather was miserable and the two mediocre teams were playing not to lose, rather than to win. To make matters worse, the game went into overtime to prolong the agony. Anyway...a gorgeous image of this ancient abbey. You took this photo at just the right moment as the Sun barely filtered through the clouds and highlighted the abbey. I really like your chances with this image enlarged and framed. You really cleaned up on your latest trip to Britain. Superb!
Stan

vincz (19045) 2008-01-02 3:30

What a beautiful golden abbey nested in this green environment. Light is great, details excellent.
I wish you a happy new year!

plimrn (19694) 2008-01-04 19:10

Hi John,
By framing the whole abbey within the lovely pastoral setting, your composition has a fresh and unique look. The light is wonderful in the sky and on the abbey, yet you also managed such splendid detail in the FG that the dandelion heads look like a puff would blow them away. Great work.
HLJ, Pat

Didi (36420) 2008-01-08 0:18

Hi John
Very nice view on the abbey surrounded by interesting greens.
I think it was possible to complete the story with a clother view.
Cheers.

abulafia (4802) 2008-01-17 3:20

Hi John
Wonderful postcard from this beautiful place.
I just love these old English Abbey ruins, and this one was the first one i ever visited.
Beautifully presented
Harry