Photographer's Note
Paris, Montmartre, Basilica du Sacré Cœur, winter...
-15 degrees Celsius...
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In architecture, gargoyles (from the French gargouille, originally the throat or gullet, cf. Latin gurgulio, gula, and similar words derived from root gar, to swallow, the word representing the gurgling sound of water) are the carved terminations to spouts which convey water away from the sides of buildings. The term "gargoyle" is most often applied to medieval work, but throughout all ages some means of throwing the water off roofs, when not conveyed in gutters, was adopted. In Egypt gargoyles ejected the water used in the washing of the sacred vessels which seems to have been done on the flat roofs of the temples. In Greek temples, the water from roofs passed through the mouths of lions whose heads were carved or modelled in the marble or terra cotta cymatium of the cornice. At Pompeii many terra cotta gargoyles were found that are modelled in the shape of animals.
The focal length used was 300 mm. Scanned from printed photo, converted to sepia to accentuate the stone textures, increased contrast to make the gargoyle and the icicle stand out against the background wall and to overcome the "compressing" effect of the long zoom.
ktanska, diegoenfrance, Gerrit, nwoehnl, syd1946 marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
ben4321
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(9875) 2006-08-28 6:20
A well composed shot of this interesting architectural detail, Alexander, but what makes this really good is the ice coming out of the gargoyle's mouth. The opposite of a fire-breathing monster!
I'd have preferred a normal B&W conversion instead of the sepia treatment you've given it, but that's just my personal taste.
Good work.
Ben
barrufeto_77
(28888) 2006-08-28 7:19
Hi Alexander.
It's a pity the overexposition on the right-hand side.
Rgs, Oscar
yanseiler
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(20) 2006-08-28 7:37
Hi Alexander, very well seen, interesting game played with the light as well, nicely composed, this sepia tone stiks well to the wall color and coldness...
Cheers
Yan
ktanska
(40067) 2006-08-28 7:55
Hi Alexander,
One of those pictures that don't open very quickly. First I thought that you chose your POV so that some stain in the background becomes part of a statue. Then I thought that the whole statue really is supposed to puke. And then I looked at the title...
Chosen tone doesn't help it look like an icicle. But funny anyway.
Kari
Gerrit
(59968) 2006-08-28 10:17
Hi Alexander,
remarkable catch this vomiting hyena.
Well seen.
Regards, Gerrit
t0mmm1
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(5442) 2006-08-28 13:21
Hi Alexander,
wonderful composition and so dramatic POV. The ice seems like ... no, I cannot write you this in a critique, but I'll change description with some mild words... the poor gargoyle seems like he's been drinking too much ;)) Wonderful sepia treatment, I like it!
Have a nice day,
Tomi
SophieL
(6042) 2006-08-28 13:31
Wow, it's not every year that we get such a cold winter in Paris... You were lucky (in a way) since it brought such an amazing scene. It looks like the gargoyle is frozen in time. The composition is good, the post production is good as far as textures are concerned (they really come out great) although I'm not sure about the sepia tones, they make the scene looks warmer and it loses the "chilling" effect (but it's only my point of view!).
xavshot
(69835) 2006-08-28 15:07
Bonsoir Alexander
j'aime beaucoup ce cadrage qui rend la gargouille inquiétante. Bien vu le gel qui sort de sa bouche. Joli traitement sepia
amicalement
Xavier
nwoehnl
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(122) 2006-08-28 15:39
Hello Alexander. Well, it almost seems as if the gargoyle were, pardon me, eating backwards ... A unique find with this winter impression; the upward framing is well made and the post-treatment with the sepia looks nice as well even though I think that you pushed the contrast a bit further than necessary. Good notes, too.
syd1946
(1167) 2006-08-28 17:01
Hello Alexander,
The pov from this point really works for this fantastic for photography subject.The sepia tones fitting perfectly.Art feeling!
Greetings,
Thomas
john_c
(24666) 2006-08-29 10:33
Hi Alexander,
A superb close up view of the gargoyle. These statuary creatures have always fascinated me and I well appreciate your note. The sepia tone is most apropos and I like the sense of depth. Very well captured and presented.
John
sebinho342
(19329) 2006-08-30 10:54
Have you seen xavshot's one ? Same composition but its is perhaps more artistic due to his grains (almost a picture taken from an horror movie).
I like this one too :)
rosaline
(0) 2006-08-31 4:19
Hi Alexs
Interesting shot and note. The impact is good and I like the pov as it delivers a good impact and effect. The wall is quite overexposed though and the contrast strong. But I like this sepia effect just the same. It's good work.
Aubrey
Budapestman
(82620) 2006-08-31 11:51
Hi Alexander!
Fabled and mysterious mood! Great impression! Very spectacular details and excellent composition! Particular and expressive architecture photo! Thank you, nice days
George
marietom
(34611) 2007-10-01 4:17 [Comment]
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Alexander Pasternak (pasternak)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1341 W: 179 N: 3373]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(15185) - Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Preto & Branco
- Date Taken: 2003-01-00
- Categories: Arquitectura
- Camera: Canon EOS300, Sigma 100-300 mm, Kodak Gold 200
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): My sepia conversions [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2006-08-28 6:14
Discussions
- To barrufeto_77: overexposure (1)
by pasternak, last updated 2006-08-28 09:53
