Ed Palaszynski
April 2026 - Thingeyrar
Original
About the Image(s)
This site is the location of one of the first and oldest church and monastery in Iceland founded in 1133. It is called Thingeyrar. To visit, one needs a reservation so they can open the church for photography. The image submitted is the altar of the rebuilt Church from 1877 and contains a stone slab from 15th century Nottingham. It was shot with a Nikon D850 and a 8-15mm fisheye lens. B&W conversion in Photoshop.
8 comments posted
Hi Ed- The first thing that caught my eye about your image is the great exposure. Great highlights, midtones, shadows and contrast. The composition works well. I like the fact that you shot this altar from an angle, rather than straight on from the front (as I always do with church interiors. Maybe I'll try your method next time I'm shooting in a church.) I wouldn't change anything in this image. Posted: 04/10/2026 20:37:17
Hey Charles, Thank you. I was fortunate in that the light was somewhat oblique at that time of day and thus it coursed across the composition. I did shoot different exposures and combined several to hold back that window scene-that was my goal as I deliberated the scene! Posted: 04/13/2026 20:46:08
Hi Ed: Like Charles I cannot see anything to change regarding your monochrome conversion, everything is spot on.
From a composition standpoint I think you have chosen the best vantage point, the view of the countryside out of the ornate window adds another point of interest; then the lone chair adds that final finishing touch.
Your original has a lot of life with the various color tones, the rug adds a less formal feeling
Posted: 04/12/2026 00:12:18
From a composition standpoint I think you have chosen the best vantage point, the view of the countryside out of the ornate window adds another point of interest; then the lone chair adds that final finishing touch.
Your original has a lot of life with the various color tones, the rug adds a less formal feeling
Posted: 04/12/2026 00:12:18
Murphy, the vantage point was available and as Charles mentioned, sometimes it is not and a straight on composition is the best available. I also mentally remarked on that rug in the color version-it is a bit informal. It might reflect that a family takes care of this church and museum on site and finds might be limited. The color image does have a character all its own... Posted: 04/13/2026 20:49:03
Ed,
Nicely done. As the others have said, the image combines technical excellence with great composition. Iceland is a study of contrasts between ornate beauty and functional simplicity, something that comes through in their churches. This image shows how the two work together sometimes. Posted: 04/13/2026 17:41:28
Nicely done. As the others have said, the image combines technical excellence with great composition. Iceland is a study of contrasts between ornate beauty and functional simplicity, something that comes through in their churches. This image shows how the two work together sometimes. Posted: 04/13/2026 17:41:28
Hey Henry, indeed it does. The contrasts one can see and capture in that country are endless. I was very glad I took the effort to make sure we had access to the interior of this Church as it's not a common image from that region. Posted: 04/13/2026 20:51:58
Beautifully done. Congratulations. One small quibbel. In the color version, the marble around the base of the altar shows beautiful detail. Much of that has been lost in the conversion to monochrome. Posted: 04/15/2026 23:26:10
Thanks Sheldon, I'll play with that item and see how it affects the overall image. Posted: 04/16/2026 13:38:24