Gothic, a photo from Utrecht, South

Photographer's Note

Gothic architecture is a style, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. Beginning in 12th century France, it was known as "the French Style" during the period, with the term "Gothic" first appearing in the Reformation era as a stylistic insult. The style originated at the abbey church of Saint-Denis in Saint-Denis, near Paris, where it exemplified the vision of Abbot Suger. Suger wanted to create a physical representation of the Heavenly Bethlehem, a building of a high degree of linearity that was suffused with light. Gothic style emphasizes verticality and features almost skeletal stone structures with great expanses of glass, pointed arches using the ogive shape, ribbed vaults, clustered columns, sharply pointed spires, flying buttresses and inventive sculptural detail such as gargoyles. In Gothic architecture new technology stands behind the new building style. The Gothic cathedral was supposed to be a microcosm representing the world, and each architectural concept, mainly the loftiness and huge dimensions of the structure, were intended to pass a theological message: the great glory of God versus the smallness and insignificance of the mortal being.

To illustrate the principles and ideas described above, instead of showing a "finished", "complete" structure, I present to you a part of the transept of the Cathedral of Saint Martin (or Dom Church) in Utrecht, Netherlands. Once this was the country's largest and only cathedral, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, and it remains the only church in the Netherlands that closely resembles the original French Gothic style. Building took place from 1254 until well into the 16th century. The still unfinished and insufficiently supported nave collapsed during a hurricane in August 1674, and what remains of St. Martin's now are the transept and the tower. Where the rest of the cathedral used to stand is now a windy square, the Domplein.

Although I liked the original colour vesrion, I have converted to BW, to emphasize the austerity of Gothic architecture. Colour version in the WS.

Floydian, Davidh34, Silke, john_c, papagolf21, nwoehnl, jlynx, sabyasachi1212, Lynette, jhm ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

Floydian (30970) 2006-11-01 6:30

Een zwaar dramtische scene Alexander, maar wel heel erg goed in beeld gebracht. Ik mag dit soort scenes wel zien, lijkt alsof ze rechtstreeks uit de middeleeuwen komen.
De hoek waaronder je geschoten hebt is erg goed gekozen, die vallende lijnen werken prima.
Mooi stukje werk.
Groet, Henk

brevbrev14 (140) 2006-11-01 6:35

hi Alexander, i like a lot your POV here and your perspective!
good choice BW!
Ciao!
Valeria

Davidh34 (838) 2006-11-01 6:58

Hi Alexander

An interesting POV! I like the B&W, and a little noise, very nicely gives the mood you desire, they sky looks good too, adding to the atmosphere. Still not 100% convinced of the POV, but a shot I like. Excellent note too.

dhurjati (2709) 2006-11-01 7:12

Hi Alexander,
Unusual angle really!!In the thumbnail view I really wondered what it is....but seeing it now ..it is quite stunning.Really the angle has made the difference here.Nice choice of B/W to give it a ancient look.
Greetings from India,
Dhurjati

Silke (3027) 2006-11-01 7:15

Superb composition and excllent notes. I love the POV you've chosen here and the B&W works well the show off the lines and textures of the building. TFS
Silke

Burberry1 (6041) 2006-11-01 8:10

Excellent POV, angle and gret, effective PP.
The mood here is very special,

A.

jinju (14265) 2006-11-01 8:17

Hi Alex,

Ill comment on the fantastic b/w conversion. From deep shadows to highlites, the tones are great, lots of detail even in the darkest shadows, controlled exposure. I like creative shots like this when it comes to architecture, showing us less is often showing us more.

Budapestman (82620) 2006-11-01 9:49

Hi Alexander!
This is a very interesting and spectacular impression! Good choice the B&W. Its a superb POV and expressive diagonal composition. This is a fascinating atmosphere and nice theme.
Thank you, nice days
George

jasmis (58653) 2006-11-01 13:16

Fine perspective and interesting tilt. Detailed note, too. thanks for sharing. Regards.

papagolf21 (152605) 2006-11-02 7:27

Bonjour Alexander,
Exubérance de la période gothique dans toute sa splendeur. La magnificence exacerbée pour notre plus grand plaisir. Le choix du cadrage en contre-plongée accentue l'effet de majesté de cet édifice religieux.
Le choix du noir est blanc convient parfaitement à cette très belle réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ktanska (44492) 2006-11-02 7:59

Hi Alexander,
I think B&W works especially well with that extreme POV you have chosen. All the spires reaching for the sky. There's something divine in this one.
Kari

nwoehnl (122) 2006-11-02 10:13

Good approach in this one, Alexander. A rather dramatic, "abrupt", upward angle and a striking result with the b&w conversion, in the way the tonal range of the various textures literally pops into the viewer's eye. Excellent notes, too, nice work yet again.

john_c (24666) 2006-11-02 10:23

Hi Alexander,
Well composed in this format. I like this close-up POV, and to me it is more dramatic in B&W, though the colour version is also good. Great clarity of detail, where you capture all of the majesty of the Gothic style in an artistic manner. Well done.
John

feather (51130) 2006-11-03 8:56

I usually prefer colour versions but I have to support your choice of B&W on this occasion (it's happening more and more - I might be converted soon)The B&W has more of a gothic "feel" to it. Even the tilt works as all the spires seem to be pointing the way to Heaven.
Kath

jlynx (12647) 2006-11-03 10:12

Hallo Alexander,
The superb picture, the splendid dynamics obtained by the firm inclination of the picture. The technique B&W underlined the mood of the photo, and the courageous composition brought to light details of this superb architecture. The very good sharpness and careful framing this precious visiting-cards in Yours the folio to Alexander.
Best regards from frosty Poznan,
Jurek

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2006-11-04 9:11

Hi Alexander,
Superb capture of the architecture. We have some examples of these gothic architectures in India as well. The coloured version is good but I guess the B&W suits the mood better.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

rosaline (0) 2006-11-05 4:21

Hi Alexander
Good impact from this shot. The tilted angle is impressive and the detail and sharpness is very impressive. The balance of tones and contrast seem just right. Good pov and a dramatic look and feel too. Good work.
Aubrey

Lynette (1615) 2006-11-05 5:43

hi Alex, notice you have changed your style to b&w composition which is quite interesting. I love the angle that you have captured this structure at. Excellent austerity as seen here with good overall perspective. Well done and TFS the excllent note..
regards
Lynette

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2006-11-06 2:02

Very interesting shot of the gotic architecture. Sharp detailed
Achim

jhm (211734) 2006-11-06 7:57

Dag Alexander,

Ook ben ik geen grote fan van Z/W, u probeerd zeker een experimentale te plaasten, waar u zelfs goed in geslaagd bent, door de diagonale toer op te gaan wat zo even de trend is, het is goed gedaan maar even schrok ik toen ik daar naar keek door de schuine gebouwen. Goed gedaan.

Prettige week verder,
John

sergio1 (12152) 2006-11-15 11:50