Photographer's Note
After the one made by nature of the other day, this time I present you a man made megalithic monument. It's a dolmen (from the ancient Breton word for stone table), more known in Portugal as anta. The place is about 2 Km away from that other post.
The image was made from 3 different shots taken with a tripod and using different exposure; one was used for the sky, another one for much of the rest, and another one for the interior and darker shadows. I am not sure if I am satisfied with the merging - those dark borders of the stone aren't very realistic, but at the same time, they seem to enhance some dramatic feeling. I have posted a WS of another photo with the same pov but with other PP that didn't originated that effect.
Originally dolmens were covered with a horizontal stone, but in many cases, like this one, that stone no longer exists. I don't know if anyone has an idea of when it was built, but most probably it is at least 5000 year old. Maybe some recent studies have brought more light over the subject (I doubt it), but when I was a teenager much interested in these matters, no one knew much about the societies that built these monuments. They were supposed to be tombs, but there were some authors that claimed that the fact that they were used as tombs doesn't necessarily prove that they were built with that aim and they could have been used as tombs by later peoples. It amazes me much how peoples that are commonly regarded as rather primitive by the common History books and TV series were able to organise themselves to build such monuments, as the 'simple' task of moving those heavy stones around looks rather complicated to be made only by hand, not to mention cutting blocks of a rock so hard as granite. Considering that, these monuments are much more surprising and their origin is much more intriguing than the more impressive monuments of the ancient Egypt and Middle East, as we know that those were built by complex and somehow technically advanced societies.
There are much dolmens in Portugal in general and particularly in North Alentejo. This region North and Northwest of Castelo de Vide has douzens of them and it has also the tallest menhir (those standing rock pillars that were made by our beloved friend Obelix :-) of Iberia. Less than 200 meters away from this one shown here there are four more dolmens. I have plans to post some more photos of dolmens and that menhir. Our TE coleague adores has a rather interesting theme featuring dolmens and cromlechs.
You can browse all my posts of megalithic monuments in this theme.
Weblinks to info on dolmens: answers.com, Wikipedia.
Location (latitude, longitude): 39.44403,-7.47009
Critiques | Translate
Clementi
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(52514) 2007-06-14 20:28
Ciao Jose ,
ottima composizione , con una nitidezza superiore.
colori fantastici
Giorgio
nivaldo
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(15417) 2007-06-14 21:15
Olá José!
Interessante foto e descrição da mesma.
Imagem nítida, agradável aos olhos!
TFS!
Um abraço, novamente!
Nivaldo
sadeik
(3282) 2007-06-15 3:19
Although I can just see the three images this is a very good way to get all three features with the right light levels, very cunning indeed. The whole image is very pleasent and the note extremely useful.
We have stones like this in Britian too.
Simon
riclopes
(35577) 2007-06-15 4:11
Bom dia José, escolho esta sem dúvida nenhuma. Tirando o pormenor da silhueta escurecida entre o céu e as pedras, tudo o resto é bastante melhor em minha opinião, desde às cores e contrastes mais fortes, à composição não centralizada e mesmo à pose de Thor do teu filhote(?), que não deixa de ser um elemento bastante estranho 'a cavalo' desta arquitectura ancestral. Esta coisa da colagem de exposições diferentes é de facto fascinante, mas acho que nunca vou lá chegar, por ser demasiado técnico para mim ;-)
Obrigado pelo tema da Anabela (Ana dores?) que é espectacular e confesso que nem a conhecia - esta comunidade é mesmo grande...tenho que lá ir fazer uma visita :)
Um abraço,
ricardo
deblink
(2548) 2007-06-15 4:54
Hello Jose,
It is amazing how they moved the stones isn't it. Great image and a great note too. Your stitching work is done very well. I like the cloud formations. Nice.
Cheers,
Debbie
sacavem
(18620) 2007-06-15 4:59
Olá Jose,
Realmente este tema está a ficar enriquecido.Boa composição e cores muito boas assim como o contraste.O que acho engraçado neste foto é uma Anta com muita vida :).
Um abraço,
Filipe
xuaxo
(6854) 2007-06-15 9:42
Olá José,
Não é bem uma coincidência, mas depois de andar a ver os dolmens da Anabela agora dou com este.
Sim, o limite da rocha contra o céu está um bocadinho esquisito, mas não é grave.
O que é mais grave (fotograficamente pelo menos, e talvez não só) é o menino em cima da anta.
O que eu acho que ficava aqui bem, para se perceber o tamanho do monumento, seria um adulto, mas no chão.
De qualquer modo uma boa foto para juntar ao tema (talvez eu ainda lhe acrescente uma do Gerês).
Parece-me que prefiro o WS (apesar do menino estar ainda com maior destaque).
F
feather
(51130) 2007-06-15 10:17
These kind of structures are a mystery all over the world as we cannot imagine how they were made in times of little technology.
I definitely prefer the WS this time as I am disturbed by the dark lines you mention and noticed them before reading your note. I thought you had transplanted the whole structure onto a different photo.
I like the composition on both (similar anyway)as the balance is good with the rocks on the right and the tree on the left. It's a good idea to include your son(?) as he is good for the scale.
Kath
pboehringer
(770) 2007-06-15 10:35
Uff, how much work to get this shot, Jose. Is it worth? I really don't know. The WS seems to be OK despite being a simple" shot without all the technical details of the main post. Certainly that black border is interesting. I will have to remember this technical approach for some moment to experiment myself. Certainly it can be used for high contrasting light situation, but why not using ND grad filters and HDR? I would love to see your step by step work on this one. Interesting, innovative and intriguing technique that you presented on this one here.
UnTrained
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(0) 2007-06-15 11:11
Olá José,
nice and dynamic with the kid, but with a high difference of contrast against the sky. It looks like a collage. But the composition is pleasant and balanced.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf
adores
(46979) 2007-06-15 11:26
Olá José!
Obrigada pela contribuição para o tema, e pelo link uma vez mais. Este dolmen também é muito interessante e parece ter umas dimensões consideráveis, este eu não conheço. Após alguma indecisão, e apesar de gostar das duas, acho que há qualquer coisa que me faz preferir esta e acho que uma delas é as cores, especialmente da pedra. Apesar do que possas achar dos contornos, gosto dela, especialmente tratando-se deste monumento.Fico à espera das próximas!
Bom fim de semana!
Anabela
danos
(110407) 2007-06-15 14:11
Ola Jose,
the results of your method with the capturing of 3 different shots is interesting.The colours and the lighting are good enough.
The outline from dolmens has been influenced by the colour of sky about 2-3 mm.Perhaps had not regulated enough the feather and was colored the rock.Very informative your note.
Have a good weekend,Danos
Why don't you use the Bracketing of your camera for this kinds of shots?
danyy
(0) 2007-06-15 17:46
Bonjour Jose,
une excellente photo qui grace au post processing nous plonge dans une vue dramatique du paysage avec ce ciel pesant. Mais comme le dit Kath, je lui préfère la vue originale en WS.
On voit fort le PP au travers des bords des rochers.
Best regards.
Daniel.
lucasgalodoido
(26918) 2007-06-15 20:02
Olá José!
Achei a foto do Workshop melhor, ta mais natural, achei essa com uma nitidez muito forte, causa um impressão estranha, principalmente na borda da pedra...
Mas a composição ficou ótima!
Parabéns e Abraço!
paura
(25802) 2007-06-15 20:11
José,
Composição boa, luzes bem ajustadas e bom POV. Todavia, a parte superior da pedra apresenta aguns problemas de continuidade, junto ao fundo do céu, bem como no contorno do jovem, como se houvesse sido aplicado um decalque em fotografias em um antigo estilo de montagem em fotografias de papel. Mas nãqo chega a estar ruim.
Paulo
japiey
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(10163) 2007-06-16 3:31
Hi Jose.
You have made a fantastic image with the juxtaposition of different pictures..
Maybe the quality disturbs you, but , this looks a perfect image , wondrous, with a perfect dimension.
Salutes, for this creative formation!!
jean paul
:)
zeca
(19762) 2007-06-16 13:59
Oi José!
Esta sua série está bem interessante. Aqui o céu ajuda um monte a criar uma bela imagem. A árvore seca também é um detalhe e tanto! Muito bonita a foto!
Bom fim de semana!
Zeca
emilbo
(22616) 2007-06-16 19:12
Ola Jose!
Magnifique prise de vue et bonne composition. J'aime beaucoup cet arrangement de pierres avec le personnage en haut, de même que l'arbre et le superbe ciel nuageux. Intéressante note.
Félicitations!...
Emilius
Bluejeans
(64251) 2007-06-17 7:46
Ola amigo ficou fantastica esta tua foto desta Anta , ficou bem colorida , a paisagem de fundo e o ceu ficaram muito bonitos , e o teu filho no topo da Anta ficou legal falta o martelo :)
Um abraço amigo !!!
Bom fim de semana
sufi
(9588) 2007-06-17 21:30
Merhaba Jose, my friend...
It's a perfect light and wonderful ambience, indeed... The colors, the texture of the stones and form of the trees are great... Also perfect point of view and creative composition... Thank you for your detailed note too...
TFS...
Stal well..
Salim.
guillaumejm
(0) 2007-06-23 17:12
hello jose,
A nice picture. But I find that dark borders on stones a little surrealistic and they show the pp built by merging different areas. You should try I think the HDR processing, specially the tone mapping. It avoid making merge of separated areas.
Any way i like the picture with this nice dark sky.
best regards
JMarc
touristdidi
(8583) 2007-12-29 21:44 [Comment]
Docarmo
(9767) 2008-10-27 7:49
Olá José,
Teu último "post" trouxe-me a este, que achei muito interessante. A composição está caprichada, como sempre, além de incluir a criança, que dá a escala. O contorno, já mencionado por outros, dá um destaque original ao monumento. O WS sem o efeito é mais natural, claro, mas perde o realce do contraste e das texturas.
Um abraço,
MCV
jmdias
(102710) 2009-06-05 17:20
zé
gosto muito de ver estes dolmens-antas, já vi alguns à beira das estradas e parei em um para fotografar certa vez, realmente é algo que nos maravilha por sua longevidade e por sua fortaleza, resistindo a tanta coisas depois de milênios. gostei deste aqui, é diferente do usual, o garoto ficou bem ali a brincar de guerreiro, o céu está dramático.boa a ramagem das árvores, dá mais suavidade ao todo
abraços
jorge
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Jose Pires (stego)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4422 W: 612 N: 7301]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(24132) - Genre: Ôïðïèåóßåò
- Medium: ¸ã÷ñùìï
- Date Taken: 2007-04-06
- Categories: Åñåßðéá
- Camera: Olympus E-300, 14-45 mm Zuiko Digital, Polariser
- ¸êèåóç: f/11, 1/25 äåõôåñüëåðôá
- Details: Tripod: Yes
- More Photo Info: view
- Map: view
- ¸êäïóç öùôïãñáößáò: Ðñùôüôõðç Ýêäïóç, Workshop
- ÈÝìá(ôá): Dolmes of the world, !Norte Alentejano, Cromlechs & Dolmens, !Megalithic monuments, !Stitched images [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-06-14 20:17
Discussions
- To adores: Epá, se o TE tivesse som... (1)
by stego, last updated 2007-06-14 09:21 - To pboehringer: Not that much work; is it worth? (2)
by stego, last updated 2007-06-15 12:06 - To danos: Bracketing (1)
by stego, last updated 2007-06-15 05:09
