Old Greek Methodist Church
Uploaded: June 13, 2005
The church was built in 1832 and expanded in 1851.It was used until 1941. The current owner is restoring it, starting with the inside.
Mike Rubin June 17, 2005
Please critique #265002Pam M June 19, 2005
Wow. I like it ... and I'll tell you why :)The nearly colorless presentation of this image allows the very basic elements of art & design in the church stand out. All of it's lines and shapes have the feel of a good artist at work with a pencil drawing. (no wonder Mr. Bill, the Architect, likes it so much ;)
You made excellent use of the foreground and background in framing the church ... even more imprssive is that the church is not smack dab in the middle ...
and it's very convenient that trees provide lines that move the eye toward the church ... from the sides and the top (and technically from the foreground as well)
Totally agree with Bill about the decay and cool, glum feel of the weather as captured work incredibly well together.
So ... did you set out to capture this (on the next misty morning I'm going to be in this spot) or did you happen to be fortunate?
have fun,
pam #1489402
Mike Rubin June 19, 2005
Bill and Pam,Thanks for the comments, I first saw this church over a year ago and it had a bright blue tarp covering the roof. A year later the tarp was gone and I was waiting for the "right light" so I could return to shoot it. I dragged myself out of bed on an early cool mornig. I guess it paid off, I wish more of my photos were of this quality.
Your galleries are filled with great photos.
Mike #1490116
Pam M June 19, 2005
Ah Mike, I think I would have been disappointed if you'd have said "oh I was just out for a morning stroll"I'm finding that the more work I put into my photography, the more it is closer to the crafting of art ... and the more likely it is to pay off big.
And instead of finding the excitement of spontaneity dribbling away, I'm finding that all the time I spend plotting and planning is allowing me to be prepared for the spontaneous.
So ... see all of our work will make it so that some day every photograph we make will be art (and then again I'm still looking for someone to hand me $10,000 so maybe you shouldn't count on my prophecies ;)
have fun,
pam #1490143
Candy Avera March 14, 2006
What a fascinating building. I can see why you made the effort to catch this in the morning light. I'd try to catch it again when the the surroundings come back to life - green trees, grass,etc. to provide contrast to the desolation of the church. Nice shot Mike. #2531541Pam M March 14, 2006
LOL ROTF ... Mike if you aren't getting a message about this church ... I don't know what a message could otherwise be defined as!have fun!
me #2531563
Kay Beausoleil March 14, 2006
Mike, I love the colour palette of your moody image and the tiny bits of red which cut the gloom. The contrast of textures is great, too.Really small niggles: (1) maybe it's me, but I think the building's not quite level, and the image seems to slide down toward the bottom left. Rotating the canvas about one degree should solve this (or perspective correcting or whatever you'd use to make the bottom of the building level with the bottom of the picture).
And (2) if you have some stormy clouds lying around in a file somewhere, you could try using them to add just a little texture to the sky. Since it's the brightest part of your image, the eye is drawn there, and there's nothing to see.
But I think it's terrific as is! (And I wish I'd taken it ...) #2532286
Mike Rubin March 14, 2006
Candice: Thanks. There is a posted image of the church taken in the summer.Pam: I think I get it!, We're a little slow in New England :>) ,I was unable to get a shot with snow but will try to get one with the buds on the trees.
Kay: Thank you. I noticed the building tilt and corrected for it when I printed the image, although the building is so old it may actually be leaning. I agree about the sky, I had a chance to look at your gallery and I'm impressed!
- Mike #2532455
Kay Beausoleil March 14, 2006
Thanks, Mike. But I'm old, so maybe it's me that's leaning!Just had a look at your enjoyable gallery, and saw your late summer version of the church. It's certainly a good image, but this one is much more interesting for the atmosphere you created. Isn't it strange how starkness can be so gripping! #2532488
Mike Rubin April 08, 2006
Thanks Kay, I also thik this is more interesting, however the more I look at it the more I think the Exp. needs some help.(or my Post Processing) - Mike #2623565Susan Williams June 28, 2006
Hi Mike,Mike Rubin June 28, 2006
Thanks Susan, I had to shoot this from across the street to get the entire building in the frame and then crop out the road, I think the only way I could get more detail in the wood is to shoot some close ups. The building is located in Southbury CT, I think it is on Rt 172. I do better with old building than portraits, They don't complain about wanting to fool nature:) #2963335Donna Dunbar August 04, 2007
I'm so glad to hear that the owner is restoring it. I love old buildings, barns, churches and bridges and this is a beauty which you have captured so beautifully. The nearly monitone color scheme and the lighting from the time of day you shot this just add to interest of the image. #4599802Mike Rubin August 04, 2007
Thank you Donna. Old building,or parts of,are my favorite subject.The owner had told me that once it's restored they might lease it out to a craft or art gallery. #4601807Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Mike Rubin.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!