Photoclubalpha

Now that the first flakes of snow are falling and winter is coming (for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere), I felt like processing a spring shot. Alcuneza is a small village. There is nothing special about it: It’s tiny, old and no longer beautiful. But somehow I feel affection for these sort of not too picturesque country villages, and try my best to make them look pretty and still attractive. (Charlie Waite’s influence? Possibly… N.B.: I mean influence on my preferences, not on my achievements: He should not be blamed for my results!)

Alcuneza (near Sigüenza, Spain), A700, Tamron 55-200mm (at 200mm)


Click for larger:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-v3wM0WlDDs/STb6m ... 01_web.jpg

Alfonso

Alfonso, don't even dare call that village 'not picturesque'.
On the contrary, I believe that is a beauty, and not like big cities.
And in this particular shot, first of all I notice a classical example of 'Rule of Thirds', beautiful exposure and a serene shot.

Hi Alfake,

This landscape certainly has a very interesting colour palette. You've selected a nice spot to capture the village with all of its surroundings. The last lights of the day fall on the village softly, bringing it forth against a dark blue highland.

Thanks for sharing,
Yildiz

Alfonso, this is a wonderful landscape picture. I guess part of it's strength comes from the absence of sky and the shaded hills, that instead form the upper border of the image. You have had wonderful light for this shot and achieved indeed a very good result. The village may not be pittoresque in the common sense but it holds a certain honest beauty which will not attract the masses but still forms a kind of environment that can be appreciated with a more refined and realistic taste.

Markus

Markus, Yildiz and Dr. Harout, thanks for taking a look and commenting. I much appreciate your positive and wise comments. They have made me pay attention to some aspects of this landscape that I hadn’t notice before. I am here in good company. Thanks a lot.
Alfonso

The way I see it, you have a wonderful photographing eye, but ready to comment your pictures, just post as much as you can, please (seeing your pictures is pleasing for the eyes). Don't take this as a compliment.

I think it's a very nice scene Alfonso,
I reckon the reason why we instinctively are drawn too those rustic villages is, they have character, and give a (real or not) impression of tranquility, even an idylic stressfree lifestyle perhaps, whatever it is exactly they sure have an irresistible charm.
Greg

Dr. Harout, thanks for your very kind words. Although I am sure you mean what you say, I also know I don't deserve it (but it's still nice!).
Greg, lucid words (as usual)… (The terrible truth of your ‘Vanitas vanitatum’ post [http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... 751#p10751] is still resounding in my mind…) Thanks for commenting.
Alfonso

That's pretty nice! I keep seeing lots of good things from that 55-200...if I ever need a more compact alternative to my beercan, I'll surely spring for one of these!

Kevin, the Tamron 55-200mm is indeed a very satisfying little lens. Its main virtue (or even, its raison d’être) is of course its size and weight: It’s small and light (and it seems to me even smaller and lighter after seeing your wife holding a 70-210 beercan in your “Fall Colors Finally” thread…). As regards its optical qualities, the following 100 per cent clip can provide a good indication of the level of detail present in the above photo:

1:1 crop (Tamron 55-200mm at 200m f16)


This DK’s thread (that probably you already know) is very informative: http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... sd=a#p3672" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
“Highly recommended”, I guess, for anyone looking for a compact, lightweight and sharp enough APS-C tele.
Alfonso