Photographer's Note
Muiderslot (Castle Muiden, where muiden means rivermouth) is a castle in the Netherlands, located some 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, at the mouth of the river Vecht, where it flows into what used to be the Zuiderzee. It's one of the best known castles in the Netherlands. The history of the Muiderslot begins with Count Floris V who built a stone castle at the mouth of the river back in 1280, when he gained command over an area that used to be part of the See of Utrecht. The River Vecht was the trade route to Utrecht, one of the most important tradetowns of that age. The castle was used to enforce a toll on the traders. It is a relatively small castle, measuring 32 by 35 metres with brick walls well over 1.5 metres thick. A large moat surrounded the castle. A hundred years later, in 1370, the castle was rebuilt on the same spot according to the same plan, by Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria, who at that time was also the Count of Holland and Zeeland. The next famous owner of the castle shows up in the 16th century, when P.C. Hooft (1581-1647), a famous author, poet and historian, took over sheriff and bailiff duties for the area (Het Gooiland). For 39 years he spent his summers in the castle and invited friends, scholars, poets and painters such as Vondel, Huygens, Bredero and Maria Tesselschade, over for visits. This group became known as the Muiderkring. He also extended the garden and the (plum-) orchard, while at the same time an outer earthworks defense system was put into place. At the end of the 18th century, the castle was first used as a prison, then abandoned and became derelict. Further neglect caused it to be offered for sale in 1825, with the purpose of it being demolished. Only intervention by King William I prevented this. Another 70 years went by until enough money was gathered to restore the castle in its former glory.
I'm fascinated by the medieval prints and drawings showing castles, such as one sees in museums, so I used sepia to try to recreate such an atmosphere here, I thought it would fit this "classic" view, which also reminds me of Greenaway's film "The Draughtsman's Contract", this explains the title. To my great surprise, I found out that this happens to be the very first TE upload showing this very well-known Dutch castle...
The original is in the WS.
ChrisJ, Budapestman, anes_lc, Cretense, john_c, papagolf21, ktanska, AiresSantos, feather, Gerrit, Tort, Vinsachi marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
Paolo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3739 W: 144 N: 8840]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(41258) 2007-10-23 1:17
Hi Alexander, excllent sepia picture, an old postacrd well built with high quality and excellent composition.
thanks, ciao
pat0500
(21561) 2007-10-23 1:20
Hi Alexander,
Very great picture and good framing of the beautiful castle..!
Good idea for the B/W...Good shot..!
Best regards,
Patrick
jasmis
(58631) 2007-10-23 1:26
Superb presentation in B&W. Like an old postcard. Really impressive photo.
Regards.
ChrisJ
(160008) 2007-10-23 1:29
Hi Alexander
A superb sepia tone, with wonderful sharpness & superb graphism of the castle, against the lighter sky. There are even some nice reflections in the moat! Tfs!
Budapestman
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 8900 W: 3 N: 20435]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(82620) 2007-10-23 1:32
Hi Alexander,
Fascinating and romantic image the composition is very fine. Attractive choice the B&W, I like the picturesque details and the spectacular POV. Nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere, Great!
Have a nice day
George
PixelTerror
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 9758 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2007-10-23 2:19
Privet Alexander,
It seems so empty and flat around this castle, not an easy place to build a defensive structure, hopefully did they fill the water piece with enough hungry crocodiles to keep vilains away... I find the result of your digital aging quite appealing, I also like ancient postcards or medieval drawings, but so far incorporated more red in my PP.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves
anes_lc
(14968) 2007-10-23 3:00
hi alexander
i like more the sepia version..fit better to this castle..giving the feeling of old and preciouse .thanks sharing
great shot
regards,anes
sebinho342
(19329) 2007-10-23 8:57
Hi Alex, i apologize, i recognize i haven't read your note ;)
But of course i had a look on this picture, interesting treatment and conversion kind of sepia with a red taste, that gives an untemporal aspect to this shot, the placement of this castle in the compo is ideal, giving an empty feeling.
Very neat sky and it was time to stop on sharpness on details in foreground.
Good !
Cretense
(68709) 2007-10-23 10:03
Hi Alexander!
Very impressive architecture photo! Amazing composition and perspective and daring but very succesful choice of b&w. Congratulations!
Hercules
UnTrained
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 3377 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2007-10-23 23:02
Hi Aleksander,
even the coloured one is nice, in this one is the impression stronger. Excellent textures of the walls and the grass in front, a simple and well balanced composition. A good note for the history, a complete job.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf
vincz
(19113) 2007-10-24 0:32
I like very much the atmosphere in this shot. A bit surrealistic. Excellent PP work. Congratulations!
carper
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 9444 W: 441 N: 18]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-s.gif){kind=small}
(96) 2007-10-24 3:52
a very good one Alexander,
The idea is very good, the shot is just like an inkt painting, I like the one in the ws also, but this one is more special, very good photojob here, have anice day.
gr. jaap
ktanska
(40067) 2007-10-24 4:40
Hi Alexander,
Timeless picture exect the little trees that have obviously come from some modern nursery. Nice little castle. Round towers look like this is sort of prototype of all old castles. Sepia works just fine.
Kari
AiresSantos
(56155) 2007-10-24 5:27
Hi Alexander
Very well chosen the balck and white colours for this great composition.
Perfect POV and nice details
TFS and have a nice day
Aires
feather
(51130) 2007-10-24 5:39
There are a lot of Dutch members so it is surprising that such an impressive castle has not been represented before now.
You did an excellent job to create the effect you were looking for, as it does resemble an old drawing. The clarify filter in PSP would make it even more so. I also like the original colour version but then I would! ;D
Well done
Kath
john_c
(24666) 2007-10-24 8:02
Hi Alexander,
A crisp clear presentation, with a sepia format most apropos. I like the framing here and the way the trees to the left of the castle balance the frame. Very fine work, my friend...later.
John
jurek1951
(42198) 2007-10-24 8:48
Hi Alexander,
beautiuful view on this castle, excellent colors and great composition.
Georg
Gerrit
(59968) 2007-10-24 11:37
Hi Aleksander,
very good sepia tones and great composition.
Regards, Gerrit
Graal
(103040) 2007-10-24 23:49
Hi Alexander,
fine photo stylized on the old photography. Interesting information, great castle. Good work, I like it.
Gr., Aleksander
papagolf21
(152599) 2007-10-25 0:31
Bonjour, mon ami Alexander,
J'aime beaucoup cette présentation de château sous cette forme. La couleur sépia donne l'impression de voir une lithographie d'époque.
Bravo pour cette très belle image.
Amitiés.
Philippe
Polonaise
(5802) 2007-10-25 7:02
Oh, God !!!
How old is that picture/drawing/sketch/graphic/dagerotype ???
Dear Sasha...
This is a stunning production of a freeminded man...
None other than that...
I thought, I'm posting the oldest glass diapositives on TE (:-)))))
Brilliant...
g.
bostankorkulugu
(42832) 2007-10-26 4:06
i love sepia and this is a real good one alexander... a timeless shot indeed... newly planted trees on the front help the retro look in a way... my compliments for this beautiful composition...
cheers
korkut
greg64g
(11193) 2007-10-29 1:17
hello Alexander
great view, and to me you also choosen a great PP and b&w mood
well done
greg
Gdouble
(0) 2007-11-02 3:43
Dag Alexander,
A good gebruik van de sepia tones en dit maakt van dit beeld een "out of time" foto. Mooi werk.
Prettig weekend
Guy
fulvio52
(8314) 2007-11-02 5:23
'Morning, Alexander.
Wow, it looks like a vintage print... simply astonishing! I've been many times around here and seen many shots of Muiderslot. I don't recall ever seeing anything of this quality.
Exceptional shot, my friend.
You have a great weekend. I'll be back digging in your archive, there's some truly amazing stuff in it...
Later,
Fulvio.
ninaL
(21348) 2007-11-07 12:47
Hi, Alexander.
Simple but beautiful presentation of this place.
Like your tones of sepia here.
Best regards. Grazyna.
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: 2007-09-23
- Categories: Castelos, Arquitectura
- Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 18-200 f3.5-6.3, Hama HTMC PL circular M62
- Exposição: f/7.1, 1/125 segundos
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
- Tema(s): Photos that have a movie title III, My sepia conversions [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-10-23 1:15
