After Meet'n

Mon dieu, the craftsmanship, now that's what we're talkin' about! I love the composition you have chosen, the lines, planes and breadth of the space. The tones to me are pleasing, you should be satisfied that the HC put up a great development. Maybe printed with a bit of contrast will make it pop more. There is just something to be said for immortalizing things like this on film, for purposes other than hanging on a wall as art. I have long wanted to take my view camera into the chapel at Princeton University. I stand in there a mumble "this is a CHAPEL??" I could blow through a dozen films just photographing the doors to the place, they are that amazing. I have visited Windsor Castle now three times since the restoration after the fire. Prince Philip did a magnificent work managing the restoration, and the restored areas are just breathtaking. Back to the tones and contrast - one of the ansel adams books probably "the print" shows the straight print of Clearing Winter Storm. If your impression of the flatness of a negative lead you to believe that there is something not as stunning as it should be, then you need to see the AA negative straight print. Flat as a pancake. It opens up a whole new understanding of the making of a great print.

You're most kind, Michael, thank you. I know what you mean about being drawn (not gently) to places that marry art and craftsmanship. One of the men was quick to tell me there were 14 species of carved wood in the bldg. He pointed out elements that would be on a nautical theme - 'cause the architect was a shipwright. Its hard to choose Mono or color here. The hues of the wood, w/ sinuous curves & arcs, lit by stained glass are not to be believed. This is just one of about 5 churches from the 1850s. I imagine our esteemed European or Middle Eastern members chuckle, 'cause they have churches/temples/mosques from many more centuries ago, but I do love our humble past work. 'Had to fiddle w/ sliders in lightroom more than I want - preferring to have the goodness in the negative by itself. It may well be that when I finally get the enlargers in place, I'll know alot more about the relative contrast of a neg. Clearing Winter Storm is the shot at the start of Chpt 4 of the Negative. He mentioned it would have been quite flat w/out alot of jockeying. I'd sure like to get that conversant w/ a developer or two. I seem to have adopted HP5 as the fast film of choice - in 35 & 120. At least it can be a constant while I pay my dues learning.

I really like the pattern in your composition

Beautiful! Otherwise, michaelorr said it all.

Outstanding bit of history and art in a single image......very nice.

Beautiful. Can't wait to see more.

This is really a beautiful image, perhaps my favorite of the year so far. It's important to have the human element in this shot, to me, because it tells the story and history much better than a strictly architectural shot would. The lines lead to the lone departing man - was he the event organizer or just the last one to make his departure? You've found a great place to shoot and I look forward to seeing more of this grand old building.

Thank you, all. Sometimes even a blind squirrel finds a nut. The wood in this bldg is other-worldly (no pun intended). The church down the street is gorgeous, but less of fine finished carved wood & more galleries of organ pipes. Wolfeye, thank you for the word about the human. Its always a conflict for me. I tend to think the same - that showing someone engaged w/ the scene has more bite, more immediacy - almost because it shows someone's experience or reaction to the setting. Whether seeing someone there gives us permission to place ourselves in their shoes or some other unknown reason - does make a difference.

I agree - an excellent composed photograph of a beautifu place. Well done !

Agree with all the preceeding comments. This reminds me of someone years ago characterizing designs of that era as engineering for the glory of God or some such thing. Even commercial buildings from the last half of the 19th century and early 20th contain flourishes of craftsmanship that are very unlikely to happen today. (As I e-speak I'm having a flash of polished brass knobbed handrails and eagles on the smokebox of steam locomotives!)