Stowe

Photographer's Note

Today marks the first anniversary of my TE membership and to celebrate the occasion I am posting a shot taken at Stowe in the company of four other TE members on my recent visit to the UK. Richard, Anne, Martin and Iain, thank you all for a super time spent together. It was everything I wished for and more than I expected!

Living in a country with little water and few trees, Stowe Gardens was a delight to the eye. Designed by the celebrated and well known English landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown it epitomises the picturesque garden style which emerged in England in the 18th century, one of the growing currents of the larger Romantic movement. The style emulated the allegorical landscape paintings of European artists, especially Claude Lorraine, Poussin and Salvator Rosa. Manicured hills, lakes and trees dotted with allegorical temples were sculpted into the land.

In this shot, I have taken some 'artistic licence' with the colour in an attempt at highlighting the bucolic and romantic nature of the scene.

tyro, chanteuse, delpeoples, RhodieIke, annjackman, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (30513) 2011-10-03 23:55

Good morning Rosemary,

I am quite jealous that I didn't manage to meet up with you during your TE meet. It sounds from your note and the notes of others that you had a splendid time with Richard, Ann, Martin and Iain! Unfortunately, not too many pictures appeared to be forthcoming from that meet, but this one is just wonderful!

Despite the fact that you say that you have allowed yourself some "artistic licence" with the colours, nonetheless any processing you have used has been done very sympathetically and the picture still looks perfectly believable.

Beautiful colours, stunning reflections in the water (where I can also explore details below the water's surface in the foreground), a lovely sky and perfect composition. And, as usual, spot-on exposure and perfect sharpness and detail.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I guess you are now home in Namibia: I am sorry that we didn't manage to meet up before your departure from Scotland but I reckon you must have been pretty busy during your trip. Some other time, maybe!

dkmurphys (79209) 2011-10-04 2:04

Hi Rosemary,
Splendid POV over that impressive lake. I like the autumn colors and the deep calm atmosphere. Well catch, have a great day.

chanteuse (210) 2011-10-04 4:33

Simply beautiful, Rosemary! I would never have known that you took a few colour liberties if you hadn't mentioned it. The vividness of the yellows against that deep black-brown-green stuff is wonderful, as is the sky reflection in the lake, so subtly tinted. What a wonderful time you must have had exploring these gardens. Happy anniversary!

MJR (3360) 2011-10-04 5:03

Rosemary
You're back ! I mean, you're back ?

Congrats on your 100th ! Flattering you should choose this image to mark the event. As a fellow TE'r that day, I can see you have played with the colour, but you have done so very judiciously and to some good effect. The light was pretty grim at the part of the day, you have injected some warmth into your post.

I am moved by this post and John's comment to upload some of mine. Watch this space !

kind regards

Martin
PS Hope your trip in Scotland was a success and we get to see some of your travels there too...

limielski (0) 2011-10-04 10:01

Hi!

I like this yellow lead on the foreground and the amazing reflection in water. Excellent sharpness and coloring. Well done!

Warm regards, Leszek

PS Happy anniversary.

delpeoples (60342) 2011-10-04 17:50

Hello dear Rosemary

Congratulations on your first year on TE, it has been so much fun critiquing your photos, reading your notes and of course having your friendship. This scene is marvellous, so atmospheric and full of emotion. The artistic licence with the colours was not overly noticeable to me, but has had a great effect on the photo. I love that limpid looking water and the yellow leaves floating on it. The vertical frame was perfectly chosen. Great work, and here's to many more years here on TE.

Hugs
Lisa

RhodieIke (11752) 2011-10-04 22:10

Hi Rosemary, Well done for you 1st. year on TE.Your photo of a scene at Stowe is great with the Fg of lilys then skimming the water to the reflections, then water edge to the trees and bank and tucked in the corner the bridge, then the uk grey sky. An exploring photo, Well done, glad you are home and well, after your travels. Cheers Iain.

annjackman (23019) 2011-10-05 23:30

Hi Rosemary,
Glad your trip was successful and that you are safely back home. That day with the TE members was great fun and this picture is a fine memory of the day. The 'artistic licence' with the colour is very effective and has brightened up the slightly dull light that day. I like the depth to this photo - even the folly far in the distance shows up well here. Did you consider cropping off the sky to above the trees? It makes the picture different but I am not necessarily suggesting better.
A really lovely image, beautifully taken.
Best wishes, Ann

GREGG (7888) 2011-10-06 6:28

Hi Rosemary,
Very good composition, with yellow leaves. Autumn is coming.
Regards,
Greg

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2011-10-06 6:33

Hello Rosemary,

Congratulations for 1 year anniversary. Lovely shot with beautiful colors of Autumn. Nice peaceful atmosphere. Very nice text about your meeting with Ann, Richard, Martin and Lain.

Lakshmi

josepmarin (59385) 2011-10-09 4:18

Hello Rosemary,
first, I want to congratulate you in your first anniversary here.
And about your photo of celebration, it is a fantastic composition, full of serenity and of natural beauty.
I like the reflections of the sky and of the clouds on the water of this small lake, and the nice aesthetic effect created by the plants floating on the water.
The composition offers us the appearance of a beautiful painting.
A great work.
Best wishes,
Josep

COSTANTINO (116604) 2011-10-09 10:13