Anta de Sao Gens, a photo from Portalegre, South

Photographer's Note

Let me add another dolmen to my little my theme on megalithic monuments. This is probably one of the best kept dolmens (or anta, as they are popularly known in Portugal) in the region of Portalegre, where such vestiges from a not well known ancient past are quite abundant.

Although there isn't any element to give a clear sense of scale, my guess is that its height is about 2.5 meters / 8 feet.

Risking to provoke our friend Didi :D, on this one I did a timid version of what he does often: a stitch of 2 images with a subject that apparently could be well caught with just one. I say "timid" because Didi would use at least 16 shots to do the same final image :D. Each of the image used for the stitch was blended from two shots taken with 25mm focal length (equivalent to 50mm in a 35mmm SLR) with different exposures in order to get a better balance between shadows and highlights.

Although it's unarguable that in this way we can get images with much more definition and the technique involved is much simpler than it may look to anyone who never tried it, the main reason I used a stitch here was that I hadn't a wider zoom. I wonder what would be the results if I had already my new 10-20 mm that arrived to my hands last Friday.

WS's: #1 - the original shots; #2 - another POV.

Dolmens are the oldest `monuments´ we can find in Western Europe. As far as I know, most or all of them were built at least 5000 years ago and they were tombs, (actually not every archaeologist is fully convinced of that). Those in better shape still preserve the cover stone that make them look a bit like huge mushrooms or tables (the word derives from the antique Breton word that means 'stone table'). I have written some more info on dolmens in the note of my first post featuring one.

Location (latitude, longitude): 39.44815,-7.6762

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This is probably my last post until the middle of August, as I'll be in holidays in Spain starting next Friday (hurrah!).

avene, ls7902, shevchenko, JCG, delkoo, danos, feather, TopGeo, paura, gracious, kiwi_explorer, Docarmo, robob, Emile, cobbydale, robertosalguero, ribeiroantonio, Charo, mydrjoe, Jardim, ruisc_pt, pcp, pablominto, jean11-3, Didi, AiresSantos, Jonas_Schmitt, bakes888, xuaxo, John_F_Kennedy, adores, rodgerg, kiks, jhm, edytungkal, sacavem, riclopes, pboehringer, Silversnow heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

avene (12675) 2008-07-22 19:00

hello Jose,
what I like best in this photo is the low point of view you have chosen, I find it emphasises the size of the dolmen by making it seemingly loom over the viewer. the tiny house in the distance framed by the stone pillars is great touch and certainly adds to the feeling that this monument is larger than life. creative approach that has given you a great photo, my compliments.

enjoy your vacations,
Kristine

[2]

ls7902 (7380) 2008-07-22 19:35

Hello Jose,
Very interesting notes to accompany your post. Stitching was very well done. The result feel the same as if taken with a very wide lens ... very resourceful way to get a wider angle shot. I like your composition of the dolmen with house placed nicely through the stone pillars. Great clarity & sharpness of your main subject and foreground. Well done. Best Regards. Latiff.

shevchenko (20560) 2008-07-22 20:42

Hi Jose,
there is not easy to make the attractive final image without the creative idea and skill. Interesting composition to show ancient architecture, nice perspective effect and to include a simply local house at depth, well done.
Ally

JCG (35153) 2008-07-22 22:27

Re bonjour José,

Très belle mise en valeur de ce magnifique dolmen ici, j'aime beaucoup ton cadrage avec la maison en arrière plan. "Timide" mais joli stitch, les qualités de l'image sont belles je trouve tant dans la lumière que dans les couleurs naturelles. Le ciel est superbe et met bien en valeur ta composition. Merci pour tes WS explicatifs et ta note. Et dès maintenant je te souhaite d'excellentes vacances... photographiques !!!

Avec toutes mes amitiés et à bientôt,

Jean-Charles

UnTrained (0) 2008-07-22 22:38

Olá José,
a piece of art by subject and realisation. Wonderful clear result, all worth the effort. You managed to give us an impression of its height, even there is nothing for scaling. And you also managed to present this very favourable by the good clarity and fine contrasts. A piece of luck with the sky and a nice little bonus with the house and its position. Again my best wishes for your holidays.
Um abraço, Ulf

delkoo (68) 2008-07-23 0:40

BONJOUR josé,
ton POV est assez original , j'aime bien la façon dont tu as inclus la maison entre les enoemes pierres du dolmen,
tres belle composition.

didier

****bonnes vacances****

Buin (42580) 2008-07-23 2:08

Hallo José!
A very interesting and informative contribution to TE - and an excellent photo! Thanks for all these links! The deep point of view works very well here and it emphasizes the monumentality of this Dolmen in a sklillful way. I like how one can see the texture of the rock's surface.
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2008-07-23 3:01

Ola Jose! Wonderful picture. Perfect composition. Ideal POV. Fantastic capture. Great effect. Saudacoes!

Morac (27725) 2008-07-23 3:39

Hello Jose,

Very beautiful development of this splendid dolmen here, I like much your framing with the house in background.
Very interesting notes to accompany your post.
Regards
Marc

danos (110407) 2008-07-23 4:43

Ola Jose,
impressive this close up view from this dolmen.Excellent presentation with the brilliant light to floodlight the monument.I like the colors as the sharpness and the clarity of it.As i see the result of the four shots is this superb technically photo.Well done.

Regards,Danos

feather (51130) 2008-07-23 10:53

Definitely the best POV is this one with the creative use of the dolmen to frame the little house. Your PP has worked well, but having looked at the originals, which are not too far apart with exposure, wouldn't the same result be achieved with curves and a mask? We might say "There is more than one way to skin a cat" (not very PC :()Good work
Kath
Have a great holiday
K

TopGeo (38220) 2008-07-23 11:00

Hello Jose,
Excellent shot!Very beautiful development of this splendid dolmen here,I like best in this photo is the low point of view you have. I like much your framing with the house in BG. Perfect composition with details and ideal idea this POV. Fantastic capture, and note ,links,WS and all work also.
Muiltos cumprimentos. Obrigado
Georgios

paura (25802) 2008-07-23 11:14

José,
Tecnicamente está um portento, com ajustes muito bem executados d exposição e fotometria. O POV é também muito bom.

Abraço

Paulo

gracious (20025) 2008-07-23 11:57

Ola Jose,
Perfect to have this dolmen captured with a upward pov that nicely included the beautiful blue sky with nice clouds!
I loved how you put the little house on the top of the hill in between the gap of the stones!
a very pleasant and pleasing image indeed
many thanks for the sharing
take good care and sincere regards from NZ
Tony

kiwi_explorer (12209) 2008-07-23 17:55

Hi Jose,
They look like picnic tables ... are you sure they were not used by giants before :) This is indeed an intriguing and mysterious structure like the Stonehedges in UK. I like that cloud formation ... very dynamic. Well captured and composed with good resulting image and color quality. Good outcome on the stitching too. Excellent work! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

Docarmo (9767) 2008-07-23 20:36

Olá José,
Fabulosa composição, enquadrando a casinha dos vivos ali... vislumbra-se vida pela fresta do túmulo! Não sei que foi que eu vi hoje que acionou o botão "alegoria ON" ;-)
Excelente qualidade de imagem, uma realização fantástica.
Parabéns!
MCV
P.S.: ¡Tenga unas vacaciones agradables!

robob (3648) 2008-07-24 4:33

Hello José,
C’est toujours fascinant d’observer ces sculptures et de se dire qu’elles sont là depuis si longtemps !
Très bien vu pour la composition avec la présence de la petite maison en arrière plan !
Excellente note et très intéressant workshop !
Passe de très bonnes vacances et à bientôt :o)
Robert

ifanik (21679) 2008-07-24 7:42

Hi Jose
Very nice capture with beautiful colours and wonderful POV
Congratulations
Best regards
Nick

Emile (20352) 2008-07-24 8:50

Hola José.
Muy interesante tu foto de la tumba megalítica, me gusta mucho tu bajo punto de vista ya que de esta manera has conseguido una vista de todo el esplendor del magnifico monumento. Muy buena definición, colores y composición.
Espero que pases una buenas vacaciones.
Ya veremos tus excelentes fotos cuando regreses.
Un fuerte abrazo amigo.

ElAprendiz (30) 2008-07-24 12:06

Olá Jose:

Este é um trabalho interessante. As pedras mostram a rica história existe neste site, eo que é mais notável como combinar os horizontes com nuvens no céu, como se fosse fumaça deixada este monumento.

Bom ponto de vista, eo baixo nível, está mostrando sinais de majestade.

Esta carta que escrevi em Português, com a ajuda de um tradutor, eu espero que você não tenha sido má interpretação.

John

cobbydale (1958) 2008-07-24 14:28

Hi José,

this is great, I really like to see images of ancient megaliths like this. There is an interesting web site about them that I like here.

Great composition, I like the way you framed the small house in the distance within the monument. Good work.
cheers
Leon

jmcl (14535) 2008-07-24 14:39

Hi Jose,

One of my favorite Dolmen pictures of yours .. well of anybodies actually .. centering it low in the image like this gives it tremendous power and strength .. nice light .. tremendous .. take care, John

robertosalguero (292) 2008-07-24 22:08

Ola Jose,

Interesting structures and so old! I think you did a very good job even when there is nothing to give us scale. The rocks seem nicely placed to create a figure. Nice colours and sharpness to frame this scene well. Thanks Jose.

Roberto

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2008-07-24 23:01

Hoje o granito está nas fotos que comento. É a segunda seguida.
Aquela casa lá ao fundo, ficou um espanto nesta foto. O facto de estar entre as duas pedras chama logo à atenção para ela. Foi muito bem visto.
De resto, fui tudo muito bem visto, até o enquadramento quadrado.
António

Charo (51290) 2008-07-25 1:58

Olá José,
Me gusta como el dolmen enmarca aquella pequeña casa adquiriendo la foto una gran profundidad.
Excelente encuadre con muy buenos detalles.
Abraços,
Charo

mydrjoe (1240) 2008-07-25 7:54

Olá Jose,

O que máis me chama a atençiao e POV, baixo e com a casa que se ve lá ao fundo entre as pedras. En canto ao resto, uma imagem de excelente qualidade e, também, un magnifico trabajo nos WS e na nota que completa toda a labor. Parabéns e que o pases muito bem!

Abraço,
JR

Jardim (3243) 2008-07-26 8:58

Olá José,

A composição desta foto está muito simples mas bonita, com o monumento megalitico em posição de destaque.Também gosto do pormenor da pequena casa no meio das duas pedras em que a chaminé da casa (que não tem) parece ser este monumento megalitico isto pelo efeito que as nuvens criam nesta fotografia.As cores estão muito naturais com uma boa luz
Júlio Jardim

ruisc_pt (11594) 2008-07-26 9:04

aquela casa ali num ponto fulcrar a contrastar com o gigante..
uma bela composição José.
Um ab.
Rui

pcp (3396) 2008-07-26 21:06

Hi Jose,

simple but effective shot in this light condition. Beautiful Image/ Well done.

TFS

Senthil

pablominto (53746) 2008-07-27 10:46

Hello José,

Interesting kind of monument from times long gone!
One may wonder what was on their mind, the people that created this and many similar structures...
Excellent details in this fine capture, fine light and remarkable colour reproduction!

Greetings,
Pablo -

jean11-3 (2799) 2008-07-27 13:35

Hello Jose,a good POV of the Dolmen.
The sharpness is spot-on.I like that we can see the little house in the distance,it adds something to the composition.
Lovely colours.
Tfs, regards Jean.

mark_mk (266) 2008-07-27 13:54

Hi Jose,
very nice colors in the sky and your POV is well chosen, still with some foreground to create a nice depth. Sharpness and quality is great, a very nice one, I like it a lot!

Take care
Mark

Didi (61589) 2008-07-27 14:15

Salut José
Je me demandais pourquoi mes oreilles sifflaient :))
J'arrive par hasard sur cette image :))
Eh bien pour un timide stitch c'est très bien travaillé pour obtenir un format carré sans crop.
Tant qu'il y a suffisament du recul pas besoin de faire trentedouze images.
Pour le château de Puilaurens deux photos m'ont suffit et pour la prochaine à venir 5 m'ont suffit.
Le résultat est excellent, je pense obtenir quelque chose de similaire par deux horizontales, la 1ère avec la base du dolmen et l'avant-plan, la seconde avec la partie supérieure du dolmen et le ciel.
Amitiés et bonne vacances.

Jonas_Schmitt (3074) 2008-07-28 11:18

Hello Jose!
Very nice picture, great colors, fantastic contrast and brilliant light.
You composed the photo very well and you chose an excellent point of view.
The feeling of depth is nice and I like, that you can see the shack through the stone gap.....well seen!
Best regards,
Jonas

AiresSantos (56155) 2008-07-29 0:31

Ola Jose
Uma excelente foto da Anta de S. Gens. Gosto desta perspectiva e daquela casinha la ao fundo.
Bonitas cores naturais e a uma luminosidade corecta
Um grande abraço
Aires

bakes888 (18499) 2008-07-29 0:57

Hi Jose. You have blended these shots very skilfully, no sign of joins or lines of different exposures. The result is superb, good colour and detail and striking composition. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

xuaxo (6854) 2008-07-29 14:32

Olá José,
Este tema das antas até podia perder um certo interesse se fosse todo seguido, mas assim uma anta de vez em quando até é agradável, pois é um assunto que aparece pouco por aqui.
Esta foto é um excelente trabalho. O POV está bem interessante com esse céu e a casinha ao fundo. Também gosto muito da cor do "#2: Another POV".
~
Por esta altura já deves estar de férias. Vais ter uma porção de críticas para leres quando voltares. Boas férias, boas fotos.
F.

sothy81 (9646) 2008-07-29 20:38

A very nice super wide angle shot. Interesting object. To me the sky needs a little bit more of contrast. Sothy

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2008-07-31 0:39

Great landscape picture with this menhirs. Really nice composition and fantastic POV. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

fkokol (1636) 2008-07-31 13:50

Great work. Wonderful composition with beatiful sky and foreground. beautiful colours and sharpness.
greetings,

figen

adores (46979) 2008-07-31 18:06

Olá José!
Um trabalho muito bom. Gosto das plantas em primeiro plano, das nuvens, que quase parecem fumo a sair da anta e,claro, a casita ao fundo, que é um óptimo detalhe.

zeca (19762) 2008-07-31 21:45

Um tema sempre interessante, totalmente National Geographic e bem no espírito TE. O enquadramento da casa no detalhe foi muito esperto. Bela foto, José!
Abraço,
Zeca

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-08-02 1:29

Oi amigo ,
Uma bela Anta muito interessante , gosto muito deste tipo de monumentos bem antigos já visitei alguns em terras alentejanas , belo ângulo de visão com a casa entre as pedras , magnifico contraste de cores, bonita a textura das pedras , parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

toto (0) 2008-08-02 3:31

Bonsoir,
belle photo de ce dolmen bien pris sous un bon POV.
Bien vu de placer cette vue de la maison entre les bases du Dolmen.
Les champs autour font penser a d' anciens endroits qui ne vieillissent pas.

Amitiés Thomas

kiks (12805) 2008-08-05 2:55

Great composition! The low POV give's an imposant look to the dolmen. I love the little detail of the house.
Great work
Best regards
KIKs

jhm (211736) 2008-08-07 3:28

Hello José,

I wish you a very well vacation and hope that you later will show the lovely vacation pictures.
Very well composition with these ruins as excellent subject.
Lovely that we can see the house between the big stones.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

edytungkal (4551) 2008-08-11 23:59

Hello Jose,
An important documentary shot about the megalithic monument.....an interesting simple picture with nice colours and good sharpness. Have a nice holiday in Spain and waiting for your shots...

greetings
daniel

angela926 (1884) 2008-08-13 10:16

Hello Jose,
Great shot, beautiful colors and nice light,
excellent composition and pov, superb sharpness, perfect
depth of field and nice textures in the stones,
well done.
Angela

sacavem (18620) 2008-08-15 14:35

Jose,conseguiste aqui um POV muito bom,também tenho umas quantas fotos de antas no Alentejo, mas o difícil mesmo em fotografar esse assunto é conseguir um pov interessante.Arranjar um ponto de fuga e tu conseguiste com aquela casa lá bem no fundo e as nuvens refractadas por cima da anta até parece que sai de uma chaminé. O assunto principal esta bem captado e preservado também.
Um abraço,
Filipe

jmdias (115252) 2008-08-21 7:59

zé

linda imagem, o arco feito no dolmen dá vista para a casa, bem interessante. Aprecio muito estes monumentos milenares de nossos antepassados. A paisagem ao redor é muito bonita também. lembro-me que no percurso próximo desta região é possivel de se ver alguns dolmens perdidos no campo, nem sempre visíveis

abraços

jorge

riclopes (35577) 2008-08-26 0:57

Olá José, vamos lá por isto nos 100 ;-) Já vi que esta foi a preparação para a da Catedral com a tua nova 10-20mm - deve ser uma lente bestial...Olhando para o WS, imagino o que farias se gostásses de tecnicismos...Penso que aqui o mais delicioso, é o enquadramento da casa que se vê lá ao longe, se bem que o rasto de nuvem no céu também ajuda assim como a qualidade de imagem que resultou do teu trabalho. Mas acho que tens que fazer o teste de comparar com outra tirada isolada - eu tenho as minhas dúvidas que se note muito a diferença. Aliás, acho que o Didi já fez isso há uns tempos...Seja como for, os meus parabéns por esta foto.
Um abraço,
ricardo

marietom (34611) 2008-09-04 7:56

hello Jose,

Excellente, cette composition, qui montre une toute petite maison au loin, entre ces grosses pierres.
Bonne journée
marie

ilDottore (5252) 2008-10-04 3:47

Hi Jose,
Things like this are very common in Ireland.
If you are a dolmen hunter you have to visit an Emerald Island! :)
Best Regards!
Chris

pboehringer (770) 2008-10-05 19:37

Jose,
I missed this shot. I see that you posted that during my long abscence from TE while I was driving around with my kids at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.
Glad that this shot showed up in your intro side. From all your dolmen images this one it the best in my opinion. The low POV, looking up to the sky with these clouds and the little house in between the rocks. Wonderful composition!
Peter

Silversnow (2319) 2009-07-31 12:10

Great composition and angle you have here, especially the way the clouds & the little house end up.
You are quite lucky to have such simple, ancien monuments at hand :)