Michael Ritzie
February 2025 - Little Black Church
About the Image(s)
Peter’s December photo from Iceland makes me wish I could get back there soon. This is Kr?½suvíkurkirkja, a church that was first built in 1857 and is not too far from lake Kleifarvatn. Iceland is known for their church’s and every small settlement or town has one. I took this on my last trip in 2023 and made a point of hunting down as many churches as I could. I like how isolated and small this one is.
Shot with a Canon EOS R5 and RF 15-35 F2.8 L IS USM at 15 mm, 1/250 sec, f8 and tripod mounted. Processed with ACR, Photoshop and converted to B&W with NIK 7 Silver Efex. Dodging and burning where I thought needed.
9 comments posted
Hi Michael: Very nice image of this little church. It looks familiar and think Peter also shot this from a different angle some months ago. The foreground rocks and grass add a lot of interest to your image. Beautifully composed and I really got the feeling of remoteness of this church. Your image appears a bit flat to my eye but could be due to the overcast sky? Posted: 02/08/2025 22:08:18
Ella this is not 'my' black church which is Budakirkja in NW Iceland. Michael's black church is in SW Iceland and I have not been there. Posted: 02/13/2025 10:11:43
Thank you Ella, it definitely was a dreary day, not unexpected in Iceland. I appreciate your comments and next time I'm in that file, I'll see if the contrast can be adjusted. Posted: 02/16/2025 13:07:07
Hi Michael
As already said your image emphasises the remoteness of this beautiful little Church it must almost be a pilgrimage to get to it,the composition is beautifully balanced with the hills either side,some lovely lighting on the foreground,lovely detail throughout even in the darker areas.
I can see why you are eager to go back. Posted: 02/11/2025 19:55:55
As already said your image emphasises the remoteness of this beautiful little Church it must almost be a pilgrimage to get to it,the composition is beautifully balanced with the hills either side,some lovely lighting on the foreground,lovely detail throughout even in the darker areas.
I can see why you are eager to go back. Posted: 02/11/2025 19:55:55
Thanks Ian! The history of Iceland and the Vikings is amazing and to settle an island like this took a lot of tenacity. Posted: 02/16/2025 13:13:14
Michael, a super little church very well shown in it's location. I like the way the church and the hill in the background compliment each other. Posted: 02/12/2025 10:11:13
Thanks for the comments John! Posted: 02/16/2025 13:13:52
Michael - You know that I am a sucker for isolated Icelandic churches/chapels - I find them so photogenic, but have not visited the location of your black church in SW Iceland.
A strong, well balanced image, nicely composed with a great foreground and overall detail. I particularly like the interplay between the peak of the church roof and the distant mountain.
I'm sure you are aware of the background to these isolated churches - apparently the result of tax incentives. If a farm built a church then their taxes were reduced. Posted: 02/13/2025 10:41:20
A strong, well balanced image, nicely composed with a great foreground and overall detail. I particularly like the interplay between the peak of the church roof and the distant mountain.
I'm sure you are aware of the background to these isolated churches - apparently the result of tax incentives. If a farm built a church then their taxes were reduced. Posted: 02/13/2025 10:41:20
Thanks Peter, I'm definitely drawn to minimalistic landscapes and there's no better place than Iceland and their churches. Posted: 02/16/2025 13:23:04