Abbey church of Villers Abbey, a photo from Brabant Wallon, Wallonia

Photographer's Note

‘Villers-la-Ville - Abbey church of Villers Abbey’

My previous photos of Villers Abbey didn't include yet a view of the abbey church.
I took a lot of pictures inside the ruins of the church.
No idea which one is the best. Therefore a series of 4 in the WS. (I kept wondering which one to take as the main photo)

Information from https://villers.be/fr/vlog/eglise-abbaye-villers :

The first stones of the church were laid in 1197 on the initiative of Abbot Charles de Seyn.
First in Romanesque style, then Gothic.
The construction of the church lasted 86 years.
The dimensions were commensurate with the religious faith of the Cistercian monks: 94 m long, 42 m wide and 23 m high. Equipped with oculi, also called ‘windows of the soul’, and 8 side chapels, the building testified to the power and aura of the abbey.
Dramatic but in 1794 during the French Revolution when the monks were chased away, the church was sold to a material merchant who dismantled it piece by piece.

holmertz, ChrisJ, pierrefonds, Fis2, aliabazari, ikeharel, pajaran, ricardomattos, jean113, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ktanska, adramad, macjake, PiotrF heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102774) 2022-05-07 1:01

Hello Paul,
There is a lot to choose between today. Each photo has its own special quality and they all show attractive parts of the abbey. I guess you chose the main photo for the depth created by the long row of columns, but the light caused some problems, so I might have preferred WS #1. It is also an eye-catching composition, the light is more favourable and there is a person well placed in the gap between two columns.
Have a nice weekend,
Gert

ChrisJ (171884) 2022-05-07 2:08

Hallo Paul

A magnificent Gothic church detail, with good repetition of the arches framing each other. Excellent sharpness and linear perspective too. Tfs!

pierrefonds (114536) 2022-05-07 4:31

Bonjour Paul,

La duite des arches donne du dynamisme à la scène. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails des ruines de l'église de l'abbaye de Villers. La lumière donne de belles teintes aux couleurs de l'image. Bonne journée.

Pierre

Fis2 (170861) 2022-05-07 4:31

Witaj Paul!
Excellent set of photos.
Interesting place, this ruins make impression.
I like it.
Good frames, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

aliabazari (22281) 2022-05-07 4:46

Hello Paul
Beautiful view of this church corridor with a combination of columns and arches. Clarity and lighting done well. The workshop view shows well. Thanks for sharing

Silvio1953 (221729) 2022-05-07 4:55

Ciao Paul, great perspective on fantastic abbey, wonderful colors, splendid light and excellent clarity, very well done, my friend, have a good week end ciao Silvio

ricardomattos (17460) 2022-05-07 5:42

Hi Paul

Starting with the main photo which is fantastic and very well composed and framed. This is an excellent series of these impressive and beautiful ruins. I loved each one of these photos. Thanks for sharing all these views with us. Go to my favs.

My best regards

Ricardo

dedee (3099) 2022-05-07 9:26

Hi Paul
This is an extremely well balanced shot. The lighting is perfect showing the lovely textures of the building blocks.
David

Tue (92470) 2022-05-07 10:19

Hallo Paul,
Prachtig perspectief onder de hoge gotische bogen van de oude abdij. Het licht valt vooral heel mooi op de gewelven in de voorgrond en zeker ook in contrast met de zonverlichte delen verderop. Heel mooie scherpte die de oude stenen duidelijk laat zien.
Lars

jean113 (27893) 2022-05-07 11:49

Hello Paul, five impressive shots that show us even more of these wonderful ruins. We get a real 'feel' for the place through all your camera angles.
Although some has been dismantled, there is still a lot to see.
Not an easy light for you that day, but still excellent pictures.
Kind regards, Jean.

mkamionka (74535) 2022-05-07 12:45

Hi Paul,
It really seems to be amazing destination for a photographer. So much left to enjoy yet. Together with the workshop photos you have managed to take a lot of great shots from this place!
You ar eturning into the connoisseur of ruins. I think this may convince you to come to England ha ha where the possibilities of photographing ruins are endless :)
Excellent series of photos! Hard to pick one for the main upload.
M

lousat (139332) 2022-05-07 14:28

Hi Paul,3 great pics but the main is really a masterwork,what a perspective, what a 3D effect and what a perfect exposure of different light levels,a very artistic way to show the abbey church,i like it! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

mcmtanyel (68623) 2022-05-07 21:10

Hello Paul,
Beautiful repetitions, lovely arches.
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (116580) 2022-05-07 22:03

Hello my dearest friend
have a pleasant Sunday for today
I like the repetition of the arches
here and the great depth making this
capture bigger!!!!!!!
like the columns but my personal
opinion is that the light has a little
problem,.....
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147224) 2022-05-07 23:46

Salut Paul,
Superbe effet avec ce cadrage bien vu, Belle valorisation de cette architecture avec cette perspective et ces ogives, bonne gestion de la luminosité et de ces contrastes, intéressante vue.

GyurMaster (24840) 2022-05-08 10:09

Hello Paul,

As far as I see you made a good series with the abbey. All of them are worthy compositions. This one is well framed and the light of shadows and lights are excellent.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

PS: The guy with the big smoke cloud was smoking an e cigars, so that is maybe not smoke, but rather vapor.

ktanska (44804) 2022-05-11 11:49

Hi Paul,
Ruins of this abbey has offered many great angles for photos. I especially like this one showing strong perspective between those massive stone columns. It is partially overexposed, but never mind.
Kari

jmdias (115252) 2022-05-12 8:49

paul

usually the stones used in these huge old cathedrals are from other type like granite, marble, sandstone or limestone. These ones have the appearance of slate. marvelous structure, nor vandalism got to destroy its beauty.
TFS;
take care

jorge

adramad (73006) 2022-05-12 10:55

Hello Paul.
The perspective achieved with this succession of arches is sensational, the effect of light and shadow is magnificent, certainly these enormous ruins of the abbey are a good place for a photographer, as we can also see with the splendid photos in the WS.
A beautiful composition, with great colors, splendid light and the sharpness is excellent with fine details.
Very well done. I like it
All the best for you. Have a great day.
Luis.

macjake (98456) 2022-05-12 15:06

Hi Paul
I really like WS #1 and 3. ya, its always hard, I often end up choosing the wrong one haha. the lighting was not your friend here, and I assume trying to decrease the highlights wouldn't really help, its just too bright. but lets bypass that. its still a remarkable view, and trying to imagine what it looked like in its prime. We also get a sense of its power, its dominance, its height. what a feat of engineering. cheers
Craig

foxy (3461) 2022-05-19 7:07

Hello Paul,
This is an amazing sight of ruins for photography.
My camera will be 'exhausted' too ... like you, continuously taking a lot of pictures :-)
Well, I'm glad you did. So many pictures for me to enjoy !!!
I think you've the right one for the main.
What I like most ... are the Arches with two different columns on each side , truly spectacular !
I know the strong light is a bit unfavourable but it did not ruin the ruins of this Abbey.
Tfs ...
Loong

PiotrF (54788) 2022-06-23 14:32

Hello Paul,
Interesting view of of Villers Abbey, great old architecture. Photo perfectly executed with good composition, nice colours and good sharpness. Interesting photos in WS. Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr