Rievaulx Abbey II, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

This is the inside of the presbytery of Rievaulx Abbey, the outside of which I showed in my previous post. My POV was in the middle between the north and south transepts, looking at the east facade. Actually the geographical directions are at odds with church building conventions, as the lie of the land forced the building to deviate from the normal east/west of most churches. In geographical terms I am looking southeast.

The presbytery was extended in the 1220s to house a shrine for the third abbot, St Aelred. He was held in such high regard by the abbey community that no expense was spared. The exceptional workmanship shown in the decorative stonework, especially in the upper storeys, is said to have been done by master masons and is held to be one of the finest examples of early English architecture.

Aelred’s shrine, made from gold and silver, would have occupied a central position. Henry VIII, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538, would have appropriated the shrine and melted it down for his coffers, along with other valuables. Imagine the outcry if Elizabeth II attempted something similar today!

The abbey was mainly built from sandstone, quarried from sites within a 10 mile radius. It is thought most of the stone came from Wethercote quarry 6 miles away. There is evidence there of medieval tool use and track-ways from there to the abbey can still be identified. It is good quality sandstone which could be carved into the larger of the pieces required. Better quality still was the limestone from Griff Bank quarry. This was capable of being carved with small details for decoration. Several other quarries have been identified where stone for rubble fill was obtained.

Closer view in the WS

besnard, carper, Lynette, ktanska, andante, Paolo, Floydian, riclopes, scobert, renerob, pboehringer, tcht, stego, jwmunro, josepmarin, jaywalker, TravelerNL, imrek, zeca, abulafia, sleon, salvator, Didi, jmcl, John_F_Kennedy, jjbach, Philippe, cobbydale, Marcelo_Almeida, singuanti, irimi, JCG, bakes888, Tue, vagabondtravels, ahmetgedikli, Yffic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

besnard (59196) 2007-04-23 6:54

Bonjour Kath
Très belle composition de cette abbaye bien cadrée et bien mise en valeur avec une bonne luminosité.
Très bon travail - merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

vincz (19113) 2007-04-23 6:56

Wow... this is beautiful Kath. just back from Vietnam thus is propelling me fast back to our latitudes. Wonderful light, excellent composition, very good texture on the stone. Great work.

Mitch (0) 2007-04-23 6:56

Hi Kath,
Superb POV and you have captured the details and colours well. The image has a good symmetry to it.
P&S

Nicolas_D (472) 2007-04-23 7:03

I think it's the best POV you could choose. Nice compisition and this low sun provides good atmosphere for this place.
Regards,
Nico.

carper (96) 2007-04-23 7:04

a pleasure for the eyes Kath,
good lines, nice perspective, good light, great composition,
yes I like the good photo job here, well done and thank you.
gr. jaap

Gerrit (62042) 2007-04-23 7:04

Hi Kath,
the grass floor and the wonderfullight falling in are very impressive. The POV is great. Excellent work.
Regards, Gerrit

amesian (541) 2007-04-23 7:06

very beautiful capture,TFS...

Lynette (1615) 2007-04-23 7:10

Hi Kath, just back from Scotland. Good composition in the architecture. Your pov captures great texture on the stone with the different soft combination colours in the background. Your equal distance between the left and right arches balances the frame perfectly. TFS and good note.
Lynette

snunney (130967) 2007-04-23 7:30

Hello Kath,
A nice view of the inside of the abbey with beautiful lighting and tones. Appealing tones and textures.

ktanska (44766) 2007-04-23 7:41

Hi Kath,
Wonderful place again, England has so many of those big old churches in better or worse condition. Good light. Interesting place on the edge of the hill.
I guess you corrected the perspective. I think letting the columns lean just a little would look more natural.
Kari

Sekhmet73 (4189) 2007-04-23 8:22

Hi Kath. Good vertical lines, colours and overall composition.
Sabrina

andante (7092) 2007-04-23 8:28

This image has what I like to call the 'IT' factor. Great capture!
Cheers,
Enrique

marianita (3455) 2007-04-23 8:32

Kath
excellent composition and framing. lvoe how you centered the building
great work
marianna

Paolo (41258) 2007-04-23 8:51

Hi Kath, wonderful one, with the light so well captured!
excellent the POV, so centered in the middle of the ruins and excellent quality too.
thanks, ciao

eza1701 (3345) 2007-04-23 8:54

Hi Kath,

First class composition with a spot on symmetrical approach. You have managed to capture great detail and controlled exposure perfectly.

Best regards,
Paul.

Floydian (30970) 2007-04-23 9:11

Hi Kath,
Absolute stunning perspective. And comparing this one to your previous version this one really stands out to it. Light is beautiful on the pillars and the deep green in front is excellent exposed. But what i really like is the natural depth created by your pov...superb..!!!
Regards, Henk

[2]

riclopes (35577) 2007-04-23 9:23

This is fantastic, Kath! I was hopping to see something like this and here it is. I would problably try this perspective in the vertical, but this one seems much better. We both love to frame views with arches and here we have all over the image :))) How cool is that? The yellow tones from the light on the top and all the the detailed artwork...this is gorgeous. The WS is also wonderful, but this one reachs the top for me. The only thing I miss here, is the scale, but I think someone in there could ruin this beautiful image (this is strange, coming from me, now a days :o)
ric

scobert (5355) 2007-04-23 10:51

Hello Kath,
An excellent photo of this ancient abbey. I can only imagine what this would have looked liked in its full glory 800 years ago. Henry VIII was such a jerk. I won't even give him my usual "historical hindsight" benefit of the doubt (ie not trying to judge historical characters using 21st century hindsight). I like your closeup view as well. You caught this architectural work with the perfect lighting. Well done!
Stan

renerob (601) 2007-04-23 10:54

Hi Kath,
Very nice shot, with a good POV also good symmetry in this image, nice colours with good light and a very nice compsition, i also like your low POV, well done Kath,
Regards Irene

pboehringer (770) 2007-04-23 11:44

Kath, what a wonderful geometric execution. Thee old glory of this abbey shines ones more through your POV. The note adds a lot for the understanding and appreciation. I just miss a single person somewhere close to the right columns to give some reference and life, but that is a minor detail in this overall beautiful shot.
TFS, Peter

[2]

tcht (7565) 2007-04-23 12:59

Hi Kath
Very strong symmety with some good soft light. I also like the workshop close-up very much, due to the green and warmer lighting. excellent architectural photography here.
Cheers
Cheukhin

stego (24132) 2007-04-23 13:25

Hi Kath,
The pov is very effective and you made a very nice use of the light. A good and pleasant work.
It may be only a wrong impression, but I sense something strange with the perspective. It isn't enough to become annoying, but the the point of fugue seems to be down instead of up. That is more noticeable on the right, that seems to be inclined to the right.
Regards, José.

[2] +

jwmunro (286) 2007-04-23 13:55

Hello Kath -

This is really nice! The atmosphere in this image is the image and the ruins only add to it. What I like is the late afternoon sun, the smoke, haze, or fog in the background, and the colors of the Abbey walls. Is the right wall leaning outward or is that lens distortion? A keeper, well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

anesugur (18789) 2007-04-23 14:49

Hi Kath,
Very beautiful scenery.
Composition, colors and point of view are excellent.
Very well done. Uğur

josepmarin (59385) 2007-04-23 15:00

Hello Kath,
Beautiful composition with many perspective and a symmetry that works very well in this setting.
Good lighting, the colors are saturated well.
The effect of this architecture in ruins but that still supports its structure proudly is impressive, though it gives a bit of sadness.
Nice work.
Best regards,
Josep

xavshot (69835) 2007-04-23 15:45

Bonsoir Kath
c'est une très belle photo où l'exposition est très bioen gérée. J'aime bien la symétrie et le graphisme de cette architecture. Beau travail;
Xavier

gilou530 (34) 2007-04-23 16:02

salut kath
un cadrage magnifique de symétrie de ces ruines, on imagine la beauté de ce monument dans son état initial, lumiére divine de cette photo, bravo
amitiés
gilbert

lukie (0) 2007-04-23 16:04

Hello Kath,

a great picture of this abbey. To be honoust, I prefer your pictures from England above the ones of Costa Rica. I think nature around there isn't bad eather. I see some hills ?

regards,

Luc.

peter1892 (1681) 2007-04-23 16:09

Hi Kath - the POV is excellent & the composition equally so. the light is great & the WS version really compliments the main image in the way it highlights the details of the arches.

agbonavita (0) 2007-04-23 16:12

Hi Kath to me that view is simply better than the other one. Love this shot with low pov. This place looks huge!

Well done
Andre

guillaumejm (0) 2007-04-23 16:50

Hello kath,
What a marvelous picture!. The light on the top of abbey is so brillant and well contrasting with stones, and the green below is so deep and natural. I really appreciate.
Kind regards
JMarc

jaywalker (16105) 2007-04-23 16:54

Hi Kath, This is an excellent photo, I love the POV giving wonderful balence to the shot, great depth & superb colours & light, nicely composed, these old ruins, I often think what they were like in there former glory, TFS this beautiful piece of architecture, kind regards Wilson,

TravelerNL (3011) 2007-04-23 17:16

Hi Kath,
A very nice symmetrical photo. The green floor is different from what we use to see in churches but it works well here as the sun can give it different tones of green deending on the light.
Must have been a difficult photo concidering the differences in light in the various parts of the photo. You managed it well though.
Well done,
Harko

imrek (4) 2007-04-23 20:09

Hi Kath,
wow...this is very good one, superb composition and a lot of depth, pleasant hues and well handeled light...good work!!!
regards,
imre

zeca (19762) 2007-04-23 23:28

Hello Kath!
Very nice symmetry to present this wonderful architecture! The colours are also great!!
Regards,
Zeca

abulafia (4900) 2007-04-24 2:15

Hi Kath
I see you were also drawn by the light inside the abbey, i just love the green grass inside and the sun coming through all the window holes in the structure.
Marvelous atmosphere.
Regards
Harry

Graal (103040) 2007-04-24 2:59

Hi Kath,
interesting ruins and informations in note. Well composed image. Pleasant colours. I like it. Good work.
Gr., Aleksander

sleon (9402) 2007-04-24 3:28

Hi Kath
Something in this shot rather disturbs me about the perspective. Having read the discussion, I agree that the walls waver a bit, but I wonder if you did some PP to correct the verticals here? Apart from that, this is a magnificent shot. The soft light makes the stone glow beautifully, the tonal range and colours are lovely and your POV emphasises the symmetry and grandeur of the place.
Regards, Susanna

chrisnet (23062) 2007-04-24 4:00

Hello Kath,
Another framing for this nice abbey, I like this wonderful architecture under a good light. Well done.
Regards
Christian

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2007-04-24 11:11

this is absolutely stunning kath... like a scene from a fairytale... the warm light on the columns and the green tones on the ground are all so appealing... a real good job, i love it...

cheers

korkut:)

salvator (19110) 2007-04-24 11:32

Hi Kath,
Outstanding composition of the green and cloudy sky seen fom inside this ruin. The sharpness, the colors and details are simply superb. Best regards. Salvator.

pablominto (53746) 2007-04-24 12:33

Hello Kath,
I like the symmetry, most eye-catching!
I can see lovely details in what is left of the architecture, and I'd like to see this place in all its glory...
Well composed presentation, carefully chosen point of view, side light adds interest value!
Greetings,
Pablo -

jmcl (14535) 2007-04-25 0:58

Hi Kath,

Beautiful light .. stunning place .. evocative photo ..
I think the season is so thoughtful with this place .. the vibrant greens on the ruins is a wonderful combination.

take care,

John

Stepan (27210) 2007-04-25 2:13

Reminds me former posts you had about an abbey in a crazy light...
Here, the pov is perfect to have a huge depth. The light makes it almost looking like a 3D shot. Excellent effect.
Stéphane

Didi (61589) 2007-04-25 5:39

Hi Kath
Nice frame on this abbey and very interesting patterns of vertical lines.
It's a big dammage that this abbey was destroyed in the past, it was a great architecture.
Cheers.

batalay (41261) 2007-04-25 6:57

Hello Kath,

This image of the (one-time) interior of the Rievaulx Abbey is a celebration of symmetry — perfect one-point perspective. As I look at the distant sky, I wonder whether darkening and increasing the contrast of the sky would not make the scene more dramatic, as George (polonaise) performed on Needs Restoration. Having said that, I love the photo as it is!

For the history lesson: A+

Regards,
Bulent

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-04-25 7:23

Wonderful shot. That's really an impressive building and I love the blue sky as good background
Best wishes,
Achim

jjbach (9326) 2007-04-25 7:37

Hi Kath,
Excellent perspective and wondeful vivid colours for this very well composed picture. Your note is also very informavite. Very well done!

Regards John

cobbydale (1958) 2007-04-25 15:09

This is great Kath. You've really conveyed a sense for the size of the abbey. My eye is drawn right in by those rows of arches. I really like the glimped view of trees through the upper windows at the far end .
cheers, Leon.

deblink (2548) 2007-04-25 18:37

Hi Kath,
Excellent POV you have here, very symetrical. The quality of the image is superb, good light and the detail of the architecture can be seen well. Very nice indeed, I'm impressed.
Cheers,
Debbie

siolaw (38294) 2007-04-26 2:59

Hi Kath,
An impressive POV for a great perspective and graphical impact, nice exposure, fine colors and sharpness.
I like this kind of symmetric compos!
Laurent

Marcelo_Almeida (1044) 2007-04-26 7:47

Hi Kath,
Bela arquitetura, composição impecável, ótima nitidez, cores e DOF. Nice shot.
TFS,
Marcelo Almeida

Philippe (11836) 2007-04-26 11:10

Hi, Kath. I like English abbeys. They are always in wonderful settings and the fact that they are ruined adds to the grandeur of the place. Your composition is very good here with a perfect symmetry. The view through the windows and the open roof is great and the contrast between the sandstone and the grass works very well.

singuanti (15250) 2007-04-26 22:27

Hi Kath. Wow this is most excellent. When I see this POV and symmetry I'm reminded of my shot Inside the cathedral. When I see mine I wonder if that's what your church there looked like so long ago. It's a shame you didn't have a wide-angle like my Tokina 12-24 because the place begs for one but you did ok without one. Thanks for the workshop too but you posted the strongest picture. Super shot Kath!

irimi (890) 2007-04-27 4:09

Hello Kath,
Excellent PoV of the ruins. I really liked the perspective and the green on the ground. Very nice detail and sharpness. Well done.

Greetings,
Ahmet

JCG (35153) 2007-04-27 14:55

Hi Kath,

The point of view of the interior is impressive and the work of the photographer is there for much. I like very much the depth of the image. The contrast of the stone with this quite green grass is splendid. The remainders of this abbey are really superb and very interesting. Thank you for the WS and the instructive note.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

bakes888 (18499) 2007-04-28 5:46

Hi Kath. Great photo. Looks like you had wonderful conditions for your visit to the abbey, or you were patient. The light is sublime and has bought out the colours and textures of the stonework perfectly. Beautiful symmetrical composition with the countryside filling in the empty spaces superbly. Well researched and written note and impressive WS also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Tue (92360) 2007-04-28 18:18

Hej Kath,
Fantastic shot of this abbey! The symmetry is great and together with the light conditions, the clouds and loneliness of the place this gives a wonderful and kind of magic atmosphere to the building. It must be great to be there. Very well captured and thanks for sharing, this one and the one in the WS.
Regards,
Lars

vagabondtravels (6511) 2007-04-29 9:35

Hi Kath

Very sharp with good detail. Nice color. Good lines. Very interesting capture of these ruins. Well done.
Ben

Angshu (56760) 2007-05-06 3:59

Hello Kath
Impressive, really impressive. Love the framing..I am wondering why horizontal & nor vertical format. You have got the greens on the left thanks to the horizontal format & the arches on the left...just wondering how it would look in vertical...Excellent really!
With Regards
Angshu

goodwill (4274) 2007-05-09 13:30

What shall I say more about this shot. Sixty TE mebers have already adored this........and what ever I shall say now ...must have already been said.
So me Present in this class too. Mark my presence for this...........:)) :)) :))
Rajeev

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2007-05-10 5:10

Hi Kath,
Wonderful shot, excellent point of view, and good deepness. I really like this one.
Have a nice day.
Ahmet

Yffic (6106) 2007-05-13 14:56

Hi Kath.

What a nice composition.
It's a real dream.
Colors and sharpness are also very good.

Regards.

Yves