A Peaceful Ruin:
I recently visited Tintern Abbey on the banks of the river Wye in Monmouthshire. Founded in 1131, it has served as an inspiration to countless generations of artists, poets, and writers. The abbey itself is little more than a ruin, though there is a tranquillity about the place that is difficult to describe.
Abbey Exterior. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/250 sec, ISO 250
Once home to monks of The Cistercian Order, the abbey was allowed to fall into disrepair during the reign of King Henry VIII. I was surprised that no real attempt had been made to restore the structure of the building. Instead it seems that the custodians have deemed fit to maintain the ruin in its current state, as a site of special historical interest.
Abbey in Colour. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/160 sec, ISO 320
As a photographer, I was taken aback by the sheer verticality of the place. I had brought a fairly wide angle lens in the hopes of capturing the abbey in its entirety, though it proved far more challenging than I had expected. I also happened to arrive around midday so the light proved fairly harsh, although it made for some interesting contrasts in my final images.
Polarized
Knowing that the light would be against me, I opted to use a polarizing filter to ensure that I'd retain any detail in the sky. A polarizing filter can serve several purposes and is most commonly used by landscape photographers. The filter primarily reduces the glare in an image. It does this by regulating the manner in which light enters the lens. In practice this results in fewer reflections, and decreased atmospheric haze.
The East Window, Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/500 sec, ISO 250
You'll notice in the picture shown above that the detail in the cloud has been preserved. This is because the polarizing filter helped to cut out the harsh reflections present in the image. It's important to note however that polarisers also effectively decrease the amount of light that enters the lens, resulting in a darker exposure.
If you're unsure whether or not your gear is compatible with filters, then simply look out for this symbol, โ followed by a number on your lens.
On my lens shown here, the filter thread is listed as โ 77. This means that any filter with a 77mm diameter will screw onto the lens. Notice the corresponding "77mm" on the filter.
Lines & Shadow
Before arriving at the abbey, I had a clear idea in my minds eye as to the images I wished to produce. I was looking for architectural lines, contrast, and shadows. I wanted to convey my own perspective, the things that I found interesting, and I intended to use the relative architectural symmetry to my advantage.
The Spectre Above, Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/8, 1/200 sec, ISO 400
As a wildlife photographer, I'm accustomed to having my eyes drawn skyward. You'll notice in the picture shown above that a buzzard is hovering in the uppermost portion of the image. I'd heard him long before I spotted him, and I waited a while for him to drift into shot. The bird is by no means the subject of this image, indeed it's barely possible to make it out. But for me personally, both the presence of the buzzard and the distant woodland, add to the overall contrast of the shot.
Lines & Shadow, Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/3.2, 1/500 sec, ISO 160
I posted two versions of this shot because I'm interested to see which rendition you prefer. It's not very often that I can't decide on how I'd like to render an image, and I think they both offer something apart from each other. I like this picture as the woman walking gives a sense of scale, and I find the shadows cast by the towering archways add some nice contrast. I'd be interested to hear your opinion.
Towering Archways, Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/160 sec, ISO 250
Chapel on the Hill, Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm C @ f/7.1, 480mm 1/640 sec, ISO 500
This building, aptly named "The Chapel On The Hill" is set back quite a distance from the abbey itself. I used a telephoto lens for this shot, and without a polarising filter the reflections on the leaves are very pronounced.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope that you've found this blog interesting and enjoyable. I look forward to hearing some of your feedback, and I'll leave you with an image of this little guy resting in the ruins.
House Sparrow, Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm C @ f/7.1, 480mm 1/320 sec, ISO 640
If you've found this article useful then please upvote & follow me for similar content in the future. Also please consider resteeming this blog if you believe it deserves to be shared with the wider community. Cheers everybody : )
All images present in this article are ยฉ Alexander White
it seems that i have missed you post for sometimes.
i started to understand what you tell me earlier in having a good imagination in how we gonna shot and make pitures, even before we go to that place.
i also noticed the reflection between not using filter or not just like the leaves that you explain.
i do have to bookmark your blog,,so it will be easy for me to chech your update.
Hi @ekavieka, I'm glad I've been able to help you with your photography. As with all creative pursuits, imagination is key to creating meaningful work.
Thanks for following my content so closely, I hope that you will continue to find it useful. Don't hesitate to ask if there's anything you're unsure of in future. Cheers for now.
Good photos @phoblographer. Upvoted & resteemed
Thanks for sharing my work, glad you enjoyed the post : )
Breathtaking. Some very amazing photos!
Thank you, it's an amazing place.
Absolutely phenomenal composition!
It was very good you planned your shots/equipment before you went!
Of lines and shadows, I prefer the b&w hands down. It forces out all modernism in the woman and all people in your other photographs, as well.
Thank you for taking us with you on your visit to the Abby!
Such a wonderful sky you were 'given' on the day you photographed the abbey. Love the b&w images and the image looking up to the sky. Upvoted, following and resteemed.
Thank you for both of your comments and for sharing my work. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and you're right, the shooting conditions were ideal.
I hope you'll enjoy my future work.
Truly a pleasure @phoblographer. Sure to enjoy your future work.
Great photographs! Love the lines and shadows, first shot especially!
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed them : )
Excellent photography
Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoy my work.
Amazing work on those black and whites. Love it.
Wow man what a nice place.ihave read about it in and learn many things from the book.you just see me the writings infront of me through these amaging pictures.thanks man
No problem, thanks for your interest. It's a truly unique place, I can see why it has inspired so many.
wonderful! love the black and white. following
Thanks, I hope you'll enjoy my future posts.
Such an interesting read both about the place and great advise to new photographers so clearly written it would be easy for people to understand, thats an area I struggle with my writing style needs work shall I say
the photos are spectacular what an amazing place even worn down it is still so beautiful
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and the style of my blog.
If you find that you're struggling with your writing, then try reading it back to yourself aloud. Provided it flows and feels natural, then it should translate well into written word. Just remember to punctuate your writing where you would normally pause to take a breath.
Hope this helps : )
Thanks that is very good advice and appreciated
Stunning shots of a beautiful architect! I like the one you took from the inside upwards! Interesting composition!
Thank you, I think that's my favourite photo of the bunch : )
Hmmm...Looks like great minds think alike...
Beautiful! The east window and the chapel are my favorites.
Thanks, I like the East Window too. Glad you enjoyed the photos : )
Not only fine photos, but also a nice little instruction on buying a polarizer. Well done @phoblographer. Upvoted, resteemed & DPS.
Thanks, you can use a link with a photo if you like : )
Please @phoblographer, you've opted for a link only at one moment. Since I simply can't do different featuring for every single photo, I'll need your clear statement that from now on you would like to be featured with a linked photo. Of course, if you change your mind, you can at any time clearly state that you want link only again. It will be photo this time, but link only again if you do not clearly respond. Keep steeming quality content!
You can use a link with a photo on the DPS from now on.
Thank you @phoblographer.
Your photos are beautifully taken so incredible!
Thank you, I try to convey a unique perspective.
Great photos!
Amazing place, the first photo is fantastic !!!
Thank you, here it is in colour : )
Nice also in colour, but B&W has a plus......
I agree completely
Looks amazing in b&w
Thank you, the abbey was well suited to b&w photography
Great photos!
Thank you, I note that you're a nature lover. You may also be interested in several of my wildlife posts:
Photographing Puffins with Phoblographer
Photographing Kingfishers with Phoblographer
Thanks again : )