Arne Skinlo  


Fantoft Stave Church by Arne Skinlo

December 2021 - Fantoft Stave Church

December 2021 - Arne Skinlo

Original

About the Image(s)

Fantoft Stave Church

This church has a special history. The original church was burned down by a young satanist about 30 years ago and then rebuilt as a replica of the old one. I wanted some drama in the image to convey a message of light and dark. Not only in nature, but also in our own minds. Dodge and burn in Photoshop. I added a slight sepia tone to make it look historic.

Camera: Fuji GFX 50S with Canon TS 24 mm lens
Settings: ISO 100, 1/3 sec, f/16


This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted




 
Arne, this is a very nice photo of the church. My only comment is I would have eliminated the wall completely as I found it confusing. I had to look back to your original to see what it was. I belive I would have cropped it completely out. I also might have lighten the road so that it guided the viewers eyes toward the church in a slow curve toward the church.   Posted: 12/03/2021 00:40:52



Michael Jack   Michael Jack
Making this low key was a good creative choice. I agree with Richard about the wall, but an option is just to darken it more so it does not attract the eye. As a suggestion, and admittedly it may not look right, is to brighten and add contrast to the church so it stands out and using the radial tool, further darken the area surrounding the church (or use a vignette); the goal would be to make the church a strong presence in an otherwise dark world.   Posted: 12/03/2021 11:23:44



Barbara Gore   Barbara Gore
Very nice image. My eye goes right to the church. I really like the architecture and how you brightened it to stand out. I also agree with Richard and Michael about the wall. Suggest cropping more of the bottom out as I don't think it adds anything to the main subject. I don't know if it was possible at the location, but for me, a bit more breathing room from the steeple to the edge would allow the image to look more intentional. Also, the sepia tone was a good choice.   Posted: 12/04/2021 06:59:16



Larry Treadwell   Larry Treadwell
This church and you goal of bringing forth its place in the world is excellent. The idea of a light in a dark work is quite timely. This works really well in b/w.

The lower wall does not bother me and in fact I feel it helps create a diagonal rise coming from the lower left in the image and leading to the church. You might try a linear gradient used diagonally from the lower left impacting only the land. This movement from dark to light would move the eye and also contribute to your story. You also have the skills to brush in a slight gradient on only the church. moving from dark at the base to leaving the steeple a bit brighter. Sort of like the alpen glow on mountains tops at dawn. This would also, if kept very slight, help you sell your story of a light in a dark world.

I love images of old building like this.   Posted: 12/06/2021 08:33:15



Bill Peake   Bill Peake
That's a great image, and reminds me of a stave church I saw near Oslo when I was a boy on a trip to Norway in 1968. I like that you did black and white and especially the treatment of the building you did with dodging and burning in Photoshop. I like Michael's suggestion of a radial gradient or vignette. My only real problem with the image is the chain link fencing around the building, which I think mars the mood of the image a little. It is unfortunate, I had the same thing happen to me when I photographed the Rock of Cashel in Ireland. They were doing some sort of restoration, and there were scaffolds and construction fences everywhere! Perhaps Larry's suggestion of a linear gradient would obscure the fence a bit so it is not so noticable.   Posted: 12/16/2021 18:56:30