The church on the western edge of Europe, a photo from Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vesturdir

Photographer's Note

Breiðavík is on the Western edge of Europe. The photo was taken as the sun was setting just before midnight.(500 iso)
(Added edit: See WORKSHOP for original before PP)
http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_breidavik.htm
Breidavik is situated in the rural part of Raudisandur in the county Vestur Barðastrandarsýsla. It is in the close vicinity of one of the largest most magnificent bird cliffs in the world (Latrabjarg) and the westernmost point of Europe. In the late middle ages, there was only a chapel there until 1824, when it became the parish church. The present church was built in the 1960s.
Breidavik was an abandoned farm and a parsonage in the past .During the years 1950-1980, the farm was run by the government as a home for adolescents, mainly young boys. Originally the home was established for boys aged 14-18 years, but most were aged 10-14 years. Many former inmates told of poor conditions and mental and physical abuse at the facility; something that appears to be quite common for these types of establishments wherever they are in the world.

In 1999, the current owners took over the farm and have been running it as a working farm carrying sheep, along with a tourist hotel with cabin accommodation and camping grounds.

tyro, RhodieIke, Subhogen, timecapturer, aleXundar, jhm, SnapRJW, photoray, Didi, williewhistler, No_One ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

daddo (28748) 2014-01-29 17:32

Hi Trevor. This photo has everything good in it: terrific light, contrast, beautiful sky, wilderness and little church as paradox, fine composition and sharpness. Terrible about the poor boys- I suppose the abusers thought they were far away enough to get away with it. Yes, it happened all over the world, often in places run by religious orders.Well done. regards. Klaudio.

tyro (30513) 2014-01-29 18:22

Hello Trevor,

I see that we are neighbours today!

You have given us a fascinating note about this place though it is depressing to read once more of yet more evidence of child abuse, something of which we seem to be becoming ever more aware.

The light in your photograph is absolutely stunning and you have made the very most of it, that little church standing out like a beacon amidst the dark land and seascape. Fabulous tones and contrasts, perfect and balanced composition and exquisite details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

RhodieIke (11752) 2014-01-29 22:29

Hi Trevor,
This is stunning, especially in [email protected], it gives the scene a more rugged look, yet when we view the church it calm's it down,
Wonderful, Well done.
Iain.

HimalAnda (10671) 2014-01-29 22:52

Hello Trevor,

The half panoramic format is a very good idea.
The black and white is very nice and elegant. In colors, it should be a very nice picture too.

Stéphane

emka (158826) 2014-01-29 23:08

hello Trevor,

I have thought that the westernmost point in Europe lies in Portugal, but that is in continent. wonderful photo, the black and white treatment works wonderfully here. Gorgeous view. fantastic light, splendid composition, fascinating place. Magnificent sense of desolation and wilderness. sad story about the boys.

Haha, so you are not from Whitby but from Australia!
Warm regrads Malgo

yquem46 (38752) 2014-01-29 23:36

Hi Trevor
Just simple and beautiful
So lonely and eye catching white chapel in this desolate landscape
Splendid conversion to b&w
best regards, have a nice day
patrick

wolf38 (30) 2014-01-30 1:05

Hi Trevor. A beautiful and strong black and white photo. The white church and the involvement of the Icelandic landscape is very well done. Excellent technical quality. TOP.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

snunney (130967) 2014-01-30 1:59

Hello Trevor,
A perfect presentation of this church on the edge. The composition is excellent and well conceived to set the church in its surroundings. Wise choice of black and white which ideally suits the mood. The image has a well distributed range of tonal values and superb clarity. Top class photography.

Subhogen (4067) 2014-01-30 3:40

Hello Trevor,
It seems a church out of nowhere. You have caught the desolation of this church building wonderfully. After reading your note I find your composition to be more appropriate, it really seems at the end of the world. The conversion to B&W is excellent. Thanks for sharing a really nice photo.
Regards,
Subho

timecapturer (49288) 2014-01-30 4:36

Hi Trevor
like this. A superbly attractive monochrome image and I love the panorama presentation. A stunning setting and a gloriously sharp and beautiful place of worship. I applaud your B&W toning here it works beautifully and adds so much idyllic drama to this midnight sunset. Well done.

Regards - B.

aleXundar (1256) 2014-01-30 9:10

Hello Trevor,
A spectacular shot of the church in fairy-tale atmosphere. Outstanding work of light and shade in BW. I am curious, how the place looked in colors.
Great frame it is with a very good composition.
Tfs.
With regards,
Alekhya

chrislo (4099) 2014-01-30 9:20

Hello Trevor,
Great black and white scene with the little church standing out with its crisp whiteness against the magnificent panorama of the wild barren lands. The clouds in the sky add shape and texture to the overall depth of the image, and enhance its beauty. A perfectly executed shot.
Kind regards,
Christian

willperrett (14215) 2014-01-30 11:08

Hello Trevor
Brilliant in monochrome, despite what looks like a pretty vivid midnight sky! The church looks almost like a toy, set in this pristine landscape. A real pleasure to view.
Regards
Will

chawax (20764) 2014-01-30 14:00

Hi Trevor,
It is always surprising to think such a photo was token around midnight ! Magic of Iceland ! Very good composition, the church is perfectly placed. The B&W conversion adds a very special atmosphere. Very well done !
Regards,
Olivier

jhm (211738) 2014-02-01 1:19

Hello Trevor,

I don't know how here people can coming in these desolate area.
But your picture is very well choice we get a church with a wonderful landscape.
Excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

macjake (98544) 2014-02-03 23:30

Hi Trevor
wow absolutely beautiful.
this is one of those photos where I just want to sit back and view it longer and longer.
awesome!
stunning shot!
cheers
craig

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-02-04 2:27

Hello Trevor,
I think this beautiful photo could look also very nice in color but the Black and White version has very special atmosphere. The white church has been lovely highlighted by the sun peeking through the clouds and the sky with all its drama became pretty background.
The cliffs in the horizon add to the whole mood of the image.
Well given contrast and sharpness.
Thanks for sharing and have a nice day
Kamila

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-02-04 4:37

Two beautiful shots Trevor! My preference is for the B&W as the church has such presence in the open landscape; its form and contrast is fabulous against the softer tones of grey. I have often thought about visiting Iceland and it is shots like this which spur me on. What a superb, isolated landscape. Bravo! Warm regards Rosemary

photoray (13981) 2014-02-04 8:02

Howdy Trevor,

Your monochrome view of Breidavik stimulates my wanderlust and I am adding Iceland to my mental list of places to visit before I go to "the Happy Hunting Grounds".
The contrast of the very white classical church overlooking Nature's oceanfront landscape at sunset, is very appealing.

Good job,
Cheers,
Ray

Didi (61589) 2014-02-04 16:02

Hi Trevor
Nice view with a very good management of the grey scale
Very good B&W contrast
But please easy with the sharp filter :)
Best regards

williewhistler (16606) 2014-02-05 12:41

Hello Trevor,
a lovely BW shot,beautifully composed with a fine range of tones in a most suitable panoramic ormat.
Very enjoyable.
Regards Les.

NeleThys (34) 2014-02-11 9:55

Works perfect in black and white! Also the panoramic view is a good choice. Nice clouds, very dramatic. I really love this one

tatadalou (7459) 2014-05-19 22:41

Hello Trevor,
Wow, use of B&W here is just amazing ! Great sky and nice light on the church. It looks quite surrealistic. I love it !
Regards,
Delphine

No_One (4) 2014-06-10 13:04

Hi Trevor,
Thanks for sharing this link, it's a beautiful picture, and a rather haunting one too. I know reading your note makes it even more so,but I think even without the background history, something about this view is really sad and evokes images of bad tenses, despite it's wild beauty. You chose a perfect composition for this scene, and the black and white is so apt.
Many thanks for sharing.
All the best
Noel