The Monastery

[stradibarrius]

Here is a shot I took with My RB67 and 127mm lens. I used Kodak 400VC film but did not record any of my settings...
I converted the shot to B&W in the computer. I hope no one shoots me! LOL!
I looked at the uploaded images and they are much sharper than the thumbnails.

 

[SchwinnParamount]

Here is a shot I took with My RB67 and 127mm lens. I used Kodak 400VC film but did not record any of my settings...
I converted the shot to B&W in the computer. I hope no one shoots me! LOL!
I looked at the uploaded images and they are much sharper than the thumbnails.

Was the blue tint in the first image the result of sunlight through blue stained glass or was the sky outside an exceptional dark blue?

On the second point, I'll be willing to be that someone is going to make a rebuking comment about your uploading a digitally altered image. I personally don't care to convert my color to b&w but that's just me (no rebuke intended). If you are in a place where you only have color film and the image cries out for a b&w treatment, your route is the best route.

 

[keithwms]

You can prepare a b&w conversion in a purely analogue way as follows:

(1) enlarge your neg material to panchromatic b&w film e.g. tmax 8x10. The result will be a positive. N.b. you can colour filter quite effectively at this stage, if you so desire.

(2) next, sandwich the 'interpositive' against ortho (inexpensive!) film... or paper if you wish. You can then contact print your enlarged ortho or paper neg without fear of rebuke and I think you'll find that some very interesting things can be done with this process. E.g. ortho film and paper negs can be hand retouched with a pencil. And the enlarged neg can be lith printed, cyanotyped, Pt/Pd printed, etc.

Of course if your starting material is colour slide then you don't need an interpositive at all- you can produce an enlarged neg in one step.

 

[EASmithV]

But the blue is so beautiful, why would you want to lose it?

 

[stradibarrius]

The blue is coming through stained glass high up in the ceiling. I thought the blue contrasted against the warm goldish tones were really nice. I have to say this shot also works well in B&W for me .
Would you call this a photograph or a snapshot?
I always fell that snapshots are just that...and is generally what everyone takes with the P&S. Where a photograph is more???

 

[Ian David]

Photograph v snapshot is like freedom fighter v terrorist or legitimate warfare v war crime. Depends who is talking, and often doesn't tell you much!

 

[archphoto]

I love the color shot, the B&W version has lost the lightness and has become too contrasty.

Peter

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I love the blue in the first shot, but also enjoy the B&W one.

Jeff

 

[stradibarrius]

I am also looking for C&C on composition, artistic value etc. I am trying to see if my efforts, reading, studying other peoples work and my shooting are producing any improvement.

 

[keithwms]

Okay I'll offer some C&C

Concerning perspective, probably about 99.44% of all photographs are taken with the camera at a height of around 4-5 ft. It is possible to get excellent results from this height, and working from ordinary perspectives isn't an automatic disqualification. But... I'd suggest rethinking that a bit. One of the things that people expect in an effective photograph is that it take them somewhere they haven't been (even if the subject is familiar). This unusual perspective can be literal and/or figurative.... it is simply fresh insight into the subject.

N.b. I am not saying that shooting this from 2 ft or 20 ft would automatically improve it, I am just saying that it'd be different from expectation... and that's already something to consider.

Overall, there has to be something that hooks the viewer and makes them want to invest some more of their time in the scene.
Notice how people commented on the unusual blue colour, which is quite special. That is arguably the strongest compositional element here. The arches are wonderful, but... also quite familiar and found in almost any cathedral. Likewise the careful centering. But... the colour seems to be the thing that is unexpected and special.

 

[Steve Smith]

You can prepare a b&w conversion in a purely analogue way as follows:

It's even easier with an RB67. Take off film back. Replace with one loaded with black and white film!



Steve.

 

[keithwms]

True, true

 

[paul_c5x4]

Question: Where is this monastic building ?

 

[stradibarrius]

This is "The Monastery of the Holy Spirit" in Conyers, GA, just east of Atlanta.

 

[stradibarrius]

Thanks Keith, this was exactly what I was hoping for.

 

[paul_c5x4]

This is "The Monastery of the Holy Spirit" in Conyers, GA, just east of Atlanta.

Thanks - Another spot to add to the list.