Wes Odell
September 2023 - Painted church interior Dubina
Original
About the Image(s)
Painted Church Interior in Dubina. Dubina is one of the little settlement villages in what is called ⬓The Painted Churches of Schulenburg.⬠Settlers in the 1800s, primarily from Eastern Europe had poor roads and time on their hands in the winters, so they took to decorating their local churchesâ¬. Mainly on the interior. They are world famous, or so they say. All the light came in through the windows on the left thus requiring a lot of dodge and burn. Converted via NIK
This round’s discussion is now closed!
13 comments posted
This is great subject matter. I continue to love the way you and Tom take us on tours around the buildings of the country that I have never seen.
Of course, the original color is great with all its warm tones, but I find the monochrome having a bit too much contrast. How does this look? Maybe I made it too soft? Posted: 09/03/2023 17:00:55
Of course, the original color is great with all its warm tones, but I find the monochrome having a bit too much contrast. How does this look? Maybe I made it too soft? Posted: 09/03/2023 17:00:55
Looking at the "small stuff" at the altar, your softening has caused the loss of some of the detail that a more contrasty version provides. Posted: 09/03/2023 17:12:59
Yes, I see that now. You are right to tend towards more contrast. Here it is again, with a bit of sharpening. ? Posted: 09/03/2023 17:15:13
We'll see what the others have to say. Posted: 09/03/2023 21:30:02
I prefer your #2 vs your #1, but I also prefer my more contrasty version. It may be a bit too strong or pronounced for many viewers. I think that the greater contrast improves the sharpness in the details.
Comment? Posted: 09/09/2023 19:07:37
Comment? Posted: 09/09/2023 19:07:37
This is very stark and I suspect is too much for most viewers. However, in an exhibition of similar interior shots, or in a panel of architectural studies, it would be absolutely fine. I do like Steve's version 2 but not V1. I like the symmetry and the fact that you've got the verticals vertical. I am a fan of perfect architecture shots and they are not easy to get right. Well done! Posted: 09/10/2023 10:17:55
Thanks. Architectural straight-ness is easy with the Adjustment Layer, and I'm tedious on this. The big deal on this particular image was that all the light came in from the windows on the viewer's right, blocking up a lot of the bench ends and window-surrounds, and blowing out on the opposite ones. The old time wet darkroom tools of dodging and burning came to the rescue. Posted: 09/10/2023 10:43:02
I, and others, think of the immigrants fresh from Eastern Europe who created these church buildings and in the winter spent their time decorating them. Thus, the term for this neighborhood of old churches is "The Painted Churches of Schulenburg." (Very popular with tourists, artists, and photographers.) Where? Straight East on Interstate 10 from San Antonio on the road to Houston. Posted: 09/10/2023 10:47:16
The last place I would guess is in Texas! Too bad I have such a compartmentalized version of what is texas...Time for some travel!
I am so drawn to lines and shapes! The ribs of the arched ceiling, the lines of the pew backs, the shadows on the flooring, all are a wow! Posted: 09/10/2023 16:09:26
I am so drawn to lines and shapes! The ribs of the arched ceiling, the lines of the pew backs, the shadows on the flooring, all are a wow! Posted: 09/10/2023 16:09:26
It is DIVERSE partly because it is so BIG and peoples came from all directions with differing dreams and different environments.
Thanks
What you like is what I intended to capture....and the detail in the pulpit area.
It's nice in color, but as in so many comparisons, the color in and of itself tends to block from our vision and therefore from our minds, the details. Long live B&W. By the way this was photographed with color transparency film, then scanned. Posted: 09/10/2023 16:25:33
Thanks
What you like is what I intended to capture....and the detail in the pulpit area.
It's nice in color, but as in so many comparisons, the color in and of itself tends to block from our vision and therefore from our minds, the details. Long live B&W. By the way this was photographed with color transparency film, then scanned. Posted: 09/10/2023 16:25:33
I like very much the human stories you tell with most of your images. So enriching. Posted: 09/11/2023 01:03:06
Thanks very much. There's a story behind why most every photo is taken. I like to tell those stories. Posted: 09/11/2023 06:05:20
Monochrome works really well here, and was a good choice for this image. You've also done a nice job with the tricky lighting. I like the perspective you chose looking down the center isle here, but the alter area also easily could lend itself to other images. It's curious to me how the immigrants in Central Texas built more ornate churches than usually are found in other parts of the state. Then, unless you count dirt and sod, the Texas Panhandle lacked an abundance of building materials. Posted: 09/26/2023 00:38:13