Fountains Abbey - England

IPClark

A dispute and riot at St Mary's Abbey in York led to the founding of Fountains Abbey in 1132. After pleading unsuccessfully to return to the early 6th century Rule of St Benedict, 13 monks were exiled and taken into the protection of Thurstan, Archbishop of York.

Read more here: http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/html/visiting/what-to-see/the-abbey/

I did take a bunch of shots of the abbey but extremely harsh sunlight and too many ignorant people getting in the way prevented me from really going to town on the abbey. However I'll go back another time.

In the meantime, here are some that I got.

This one is a HDR tonemapped of 3 exposures. Normal, and +/- 2 stops



A section of the Abbey - This is a magnificant ruin with LOTS of history and a true ancient feel about it.



Looking back towards the Abbey





The view from "Anne Boleyns Seat"



The Grounds







And finally, some abstract detail from a tree limb that had split off from the main trunk and fallen.

redleash

Ian, this is my favorite place in all of the UK!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I recognize all of it, except the tree bark. I know what you mean about the people getting in the way--I would love to visit Fountains with nobody else around. I'd also like to visit it in winter with snow. Have you been able to shoot it in snow?

BTW, I think you did a nice job with the HDR.

Cheers,
Lauren

black mamba

Hey Ian,

I really like this series. It exhibits excellent technical skills along with very interesting scene selections. I understand about the people issue. I'd love to catch the Biltmore Estate ( the largest private home in the U.S. ), located in Asheville, NC , without hundreds of folks around.....not likely to happen.

Tom

IPClark

Thank you Lauren and Tom for your kind words. I appreciate it greatly.

I've not yet had the opportunity to photograph it when it has been snowing and must admit I'd be concerned about the ability to get there as it's accessed by single track country lanes (Could be entertaining ). I would very much love to photograph it in the snow though for sure.

I've been to both TX and NC and there are some seriously cool places to photograph. I'd love to get back over to the US and bring my camera with me. Previously, my visit to the US was before I'd taken up photography.

redleash

Come on over to TX, Ian, and I'll be glad to tour you around. I hope you do get to shoot Fountains in the snow, although I do suppose it would be a bit of a trick getting there. Keep showing me shots of Yorkshire--I love seeing them! BTW, I really like the shot with the abbey in the distance and the river in foreground--the silky water is wonderful.

IPClark

hehe, I'd love to get back to the states.. so much to photograph.
I'll be sure to post more shots of Yorkshire when I'm next up there

The Silky water shot was a 30 second exposure using a ten stop filter. I'm quite pleased with the result. It's held reflections further up the stream which is nice.

Chrissiebeez_NL

IPClark wrote:

really like this photo, brings back memories. like how the people give perspective as well as the colours

Awais Yaqub

The place is so grand ! loved your photos

IPClark

Thanks Chris, Awais.

JohnEBongo

I love these!! Although this Abbey appears much more expansive, it reminds me of Thetford Priory in Norfolk. When I was a wee lad I spent 2 years in a house that had the Thetfors Priory in the back yard. That is one of only a few memories of that time in my life.