Rievaulx Abbey View, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

We visited Rievaulx Abbey, subject of my last few posts, in March. I knew it was possible to get good views of the abbey from the hill above. There is a walkway called Rievaulx Terrace above the abbey where several openings have been cut in the trees for the views. Rievaulx Terrace is owned by the National Trust, a similar organisation to English Heritage of which I am a member. It doesn’t open until Easter so I couldn’t visit on the same day as the abbey.

I will tell you more about Rievaulx Terrace sometime in the future as there is a link to Duncombe Park near Helmsley that I want to visit soon so I will put together a series later.

This viewpoint just shows the abbey church. I make no apologies for the central composition. I did try other framings but this one looked the best. I used the full length of the zoom for this. Other views are in the WS here and here

Robbienight, jaywalker, scobert, josepmarin, gelor, cherryripe, Buin, saylan-cb, Philippe, Floydian, stego, paura, jwmunro, singuanti, pboehringer, UlfE, salvator, Gerrit, sleon, ALIRIZA, Cricri, siolaw, bibiweb, Photo65Net, JCG, evanrizo, riclopes, abulafia, bakes888, fotomis, cobbydale, banyanman, barrufeto_77, MLINES, giorgimer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Robbienight (621) 2007-04-30 11:11

Excellentnote for a very nice image.
The composition is perfect, with the building right in the center.
Lovely colours also, with the white spot of the Abbey in the middle of the darker nature.
Well done.

rhizomes (15343) 2007-04-30 11:25

Hi Kath,
A nice view from a great point of view. These ruins are beautiful.
Christophe

eza1701 (3345) 2007-04-30 11:40

Hi Kath,

This is a great view looking down on the abbey and allows us to appreciate the archicecture of the building. I think the central composition works well here.

Best regards,
Paul.

jaywalker (16105) 2007-04-30 11:43

Hi Kath, A superb high POV looking down on this beautiful old abbey, the light & colours are excellent & you have composed the shot very well, great photo as always, kind regards Wilson.

josepmarin (59385) 2007-04-30 12:58

Hello Kath,
A good high POV that offers us the vision of this Abbey almost in a birdview, and where we can see the whole set of these ruins that we have seen in your previous post in partial planes.
The focal length eliminates a bit the perspective, but we are centred by the subject of your photo on a nice natural environment, with a great color and an excellent lighting.
Good work, as usual.
Best regards,
Josep

gelor (3233) 2007-04-30 13:30

Bonsoir Kath,
Une excellente représentation de cette architecture ! Le contexte est superbe et met bien valeur ces ruines. Bien fait !
Gérard

scobert (5355) 2007-04-30 13:47

Hello Kath,
I not only enjoy your photography but I like your persistence as well. You employed about every camera angle, wide angle vs closeup, etc. as was possible. I have learned from viewing and posting critiques on TE that the most successful photographers are not only good technicians, but they work at trying different camera angles, types of lighting, etc. Our success is mostly a result of hard work. Talent helps but raw talent is useless without a good work ethic, like you have demonstrated continously. You have both the talent and an excellent work ethic. The photo here is a bit soft, but I am sure that it is a result of the aggravating process of "dumbing down" (ie resizing, sharpening, compressing, etc, ad naseum) our images for posting on a web based forum. Keep up the good work!
Stan

[2] +

cherryripe (21033) 2007-04-30 15:11

Hi Kath
I agree with you that the central composition works well as the abbey is nicely framed by the branches and pathway. Nice contrast between the light stone of the ruins and the green grass.
Regards
Nikki

Buin (42580) 2007-04-30 15:14

Hallo Kath!
What an impressive building, what a splendour! Even as a ruin the former greatness is sensible ... and this photo shows this all in a great way!
Greetings from warm and sunny - and dry - Germany!
Frank

gilou530 (34) 2007-04-30 15:54

hello kath
a sight in quite selected diving which gives a complete panorama of the site, framing is perfect, and the light also, well done
friendships
gilbert

Philippe (11836) 2007-04-30 17:12

Hi, Kath. If the central composition works well, why would you apologize for it? The branches in the foreground frame the iamge very well and the contrasts between the ligh colourerd abbey and the surrounding nature and building works very well. It is also interesting to have a general view of a building which we had seen only partially so far.

Floydian (30970) 2007-04-30 17:59

Hi Kath,
Really a fantastic viewpoint. After seeing so much closeups is this a real good presentation from the whole castle. Don't care about the central position, this is just good and also perfect contrast between all those layers of green.
Regards, Henk

[2]

stego (24132) 2007-04-30 18:09

Hi Kath,
A wonderful view of the ruins surrounded by the beautiful landscape. I also can't figure out how you could have avoided the centred compo.
The pov/compo is great. I like the WS's also, but their lack the great punch that this one has.
Regards, José.

[2]

paura (25802) 2007-04-30 20:50

Kath,
This is the best poin of view from the Rievaulx Abbey. Amazing it. From here, it looks like an object lost in the time. Excellent POV, Kath.

Paulo

jwmunro (286) 2007-04-30 20:58

Kath -

I think you selected the best view for your main post. Center compositions do work and the rule is there to break. You have broken the rule well with this composition. The shrubs on the left act a frame while the path on the right balances the image. Bringing the ruin down to the lower third line was the right thing to do as it avoids the true center composition. Exposure, etc, etc. spot on the money.

The other WS images are nice and each has it's points but I personally think this one is by far the best. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

singuanti (15250) 2007-04-30 22:22

Hi Kath. Well I guess this is one way of fitting this place in without a wide-angle by backing up a long way! ;) It's a good thing that the leaves weren't out yet on the tree in the bottom left otherwise we couldn’t see much. The shrubs in the background blossoming are added bones. tfs Kath.

pboehringer (770) 2007-05-01 0:03

No excuses, Kath. The image is beautiful despite the central composition. It doesn't bother at all! The light conditions are marvelous to get all the wonderful texture of the church and the nature around gives a great framing of the central attraction.
Question for you: I have a d200 just as you do and I started to use CS2 but I cannot open the RAW data there. How do you do that? Nikon uses NEF and CS2 seems not to be compatible for that. What is the secret?
TFS, Peter

UlfE (14641) 2007-05-01 1:59

Hi Kath,

Another excellent view of Rievaulx Abbey. I actuelly guessed that you had zoomed it in from quite a distance before I read your note. This has resulted in an exiting view of it but the sharpness is not perfect. Lovely colours and very nice spring feeling. A really great job!

Cheers,

Ulf

Graal (103040) 2007-05-01 3:05

Hi Kath,
interesting serie and history about this ruins. Pleasant light and colours, good POV. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

salvator (19110) 2007-05-01 3:50

Hi Kath,
Very nice composition of this superb ruin. The colors are superb, the background, the trees the green grass, the blossoming trees are all wonderful. Sharpness and clarity superb. Best regards. Salvator.

chrisnet (23062) 2007-05-01 5:02

Hello Kath,
Good POV of these ruins, nice composition well framed, another good work, congratulatiions.
Regards
Christian

pablominto (53746) 2007-05-01 5:03

Hello Kath,
I like the point of view, which gives a good impression of the ruin but also the location!
Fine details in the old architecture, and the good light really makes the structure stand out...
Well composed presentation!
Greetings,
Pablo -

saylan-cb (12738) 2007-05-01 5:20

Hi Kath
Great architecture!A very good captured and good POV,superb green,well done.
TFS/Regards

Steft (6109) 2007-05-01 6:35

Hi Kath,
Good photo, taken from the right POV. I like the lighter and darker parts of the stones. I like this version better than the one in the WS, because the WS-version is a bit far away and hidden.
TFS,
Stef

mickyg (815) 2007-05-01 7:13

Thought you had hired a helicopter here Kath .. could POV and again fine clarity and colour

leo61 (0) 2007-05-01 7:26

Hi Kath!
Thanks to the people which did cut the trees and thanks for this good image.
Great POV and a nice view at the abbey.Here the centered position works well and i like how it`s framed by the vegetation in nice,differrent colors.
Regards,Leo

isil77 (760) 2007-05-01 8:43

Great photo from a great view. Congratulations.

Gerrit (62042) 2007-05-01 10:29

Hi Kath,
I see this is not only the perfect ruin, it has also a great settin. Very good POV and perfect framing.
Regards, Gerrit

sleon (9402) 2007-05-01 14:47

Hi Kath
The compo looks great to me and not even too central anyway, with the various buildings behind and the path on the right. The colours are lovely and fresh and springlike, the lighting very attractive and the contrasts good. We get a great view of this imposing place though it would be nice if there were a person somewhere to indicate its vast scale - I had a good look but can't see anyone.
Regards, Susanna

ALIRIZA (16423) 2007-05-01 14:54

Hi Kath,
Perfect POV, very nice architecture. Beautiful and clear composition with natural green tones and sharpness. Well done my friend...
Best wishes...
Ali Rıza

Cricri (176) 2007-05-01 15:39

Hi Kath,
Grand et bon POV sur ces ruines, qui donne l'impression qu'elle on été pôser sur ce tapis vert
trés belle lumiére et couleurs
good evening
cricri

jjbach (9326) 2007-05-01 17:45

Hi Kath,
Excellent panoramic shot, from a great point of view. I like very much the natural environment and the colours you have captured. Splendid work!

Regards John

siolaw (38294) 2007-05-01 21:08

Hi Kath,
A great POV that shows us the whole abbey, in a superb light, excellent colors and sharpness.
I like the central framing too!
What happened to this monument? Destroyed during the war or just natural causes ?!!!
Laurent

bibiweb (8) 2007-05-02 0:38

Hi Kath,
It's a nice series that you did on this Abbey, but I really like this view from above. The light is beautiful and makes all the details of the architecture stand out. The central composition does bother me at all.
Regards, Brigitte

carper (96) 2007-05-02 0:40

it's a fantastic place Kath,
you made a very good photo of it, good centred shot with a lot of details and a good light, very nice photojob here, I like it,
gr. jaap

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-05-02 2:36

What a majestic place. Wonderful architecture, good point of view and great capture.
Best wishes,
Achim

deblink (2548) 2007-05-02 4:12

Hi Kath,
I wouldn't actually agree that the building is central with the other buildings on the left, to me the framing is great. My guess is that you had trees on either side with your view from the terrace. Great POV in my opinion. I also like your POV because one can see through the window opening to the other side, this adds interest. I love it.
Cheers,
Debbie

PixelTerror (0) 2007-05-02 4:24

Hi Kath,
Great PoV on this one, it gives the feelign you're flying in a hot air balloon, it allows a good comprehensive view of this impressive abbey, nice structure and plenty of beautiful arches.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-05-02 6:15

Kath,
A nice POV, allowing to get so many details of this abbey, and to see it in its environment.
Nice job, I like in particular a lot how the building contrasts with background trees.
Regards,
JB.

JCG (35153) 2007-05-02 15:56

Hi Kath,

An appreciable air point of view here to have highlights on this imposing abbey. Photograph as the additional image supplement this interesting series well on this prestigious site, beautiful work and thank you Kath.

With all my friendships,

Jean-Charles

sergio1 (12152) 2007-05-02 18:29

Hi Kath

Amazing view to ruins. I like very much. Perfect compo, perspective, lights all is perfect.

Congratulations
Sergio

evanrizo (462) 2007-05-03 13:17

Hi Kath.
I can say, this is a perfct photo.
The frame you have choosen is great.
The sharpness, the contrasts, lightness and colors are superb.
It is also good composed.
Cheers
Evan

berek (50518) 2007-05-03 14:18

Hi Cath,
nice historical architecture my friend. this picture has a 3d effect. very good sharpness colour and details. have a nice day.
First impact : 9
Composition : 8
Burak

jmcl (14535) 2007-05-04 1:27

HI Kath.

I love this one . I love the ancient structure against the vibrant greens .. I love how you can see through the roof and windows and yet the rest of the structure seems so sound .. wonderful point of view.

take care,

John

abulafia (4900) 2007-05-05 4:50

Yes Kath!
This is the ultimate view! i love the high view point that lets us really enjoy the whole stting around this wonderful abbey.
Well done.
Harry

riclopes (35577) 2007-05-05 5:06

Olá Kath, after saw your recent post, that shows this POV, I decided to come for this, because I really like it. And I'm glad because I found two extra shots :) I agree that this is the best one, but I like the WS1 equally and it's a surprise how the two seem to show diferent places. Here, we see the complex pretty much isolated and in WS1 it seems surrounded by dense vegetation (due to FG, of course) and houses. The place is very beautiful but you made it more special with this series. I'm impressed.
Ricardo

bakes888 (18499) 2007-05-05 5:42

Hi Kath. You have to follow your instincts when it comes to composition, the “rules” are only a guide at best, art (photography) is all about aesthetics and what looks best usually is best. Anyway that’s my 2 cents worth. I like it, after viewing one of your other posts its good to see the abbey in its surroundings. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

cobbydale (1958) 2007-05-06 5:47

Great POV looking down on it. The central placement works really well and all the greens,browns and reds surrounding it are really nice. I like the workshops too, although to me they seem a little grainy/noisy compared this one.
cheers, Leon.

banyanman (7797) 2007-05-06 11:00

An impressive view of Rievaulx Abbey, Kath. My first reaction was this would have looked better not centred, but then I read you note where you say that the other framings didn't look so good. I guess you may be been restricted by the position of the trees from your POV, so sometimes centering a subject can't be avoided, and I suppose this must have been one of those occasions. Cheers . . . David

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2007-05-07 1:30

Hi Kath.

I've been waiting for a couple of days about pointing this picture because I wanted to be who give you the 100th point... :P

Excellent POV and colours!

An amazing picture!

Rgs, Oscar

Stepan (27210) 2007-05-07 10:59

I don't know why, I expected the Abbey to be bigger !? Whatever, this pov is perfect to appreciate the whole place and the former posts.
Stéphane

Angshu (56760) 2007-05-08 12:19

Hello Kath
The high POV definitely helps this composition, since we see the surroundings to the Abbey. The contrast between the abbey walls & the surrounding greens also comes off well..and then your framing through the bushes on either side. Thanks for the WSs where you allow us to see a still broader view
Regards
Angshu

MLINES (12516) 2007-05-09 19:24

Hi Kath, A very good POV to show these ruins in a way which amplifies the arches so well. Crystal clear with good colours. TFS. Murray.

giorgimer (35017) 2007-07-04 23:56

Wow Kath!

Wonderful view! Very fascinating place, excellent POV and colors.

Well done!

Giorgio