OCOLOY Day 28: Château de Couëllan, Brittany by vignouse

OCOLOY Day 28: Château de Couëllan, Brittany

After yesterday's deluge, today was dry, sunny and the temperature rose to 10C this afternoon. Mrs S suggested that I should take advantage of the nice day and have a run out on my motorbike... and as I always do what Mrs S tells me, that's exactly what I did!

This château is in the commune of Guitté in the Départment of Côte d'Armor and the oldest parts of the construction date from the end of the 14th C. It's a private residence so I captured this view by sneaking in the gates and hiding behind the 700 year old oak tree whose branches frame the château... unfortunately the owner arrived home just as I was leaving and was less than impressed by my presence on his land, even when I waved my camera at him to show him what I was doing!

This image is SOOC and is part of my ongoing OCOLOY project - you can read more about it in my post for 1 January and in my profile.

And finally, this is best viewed on black I think...
I like the way the tree's shadow stretches across the foreground. Adds a lot of interest.
January 28th, 2016  
@jasperc Yeah, I liked that too; the hardest part was getting the perspective right(ish) while keeping my own shadow out of the picture!
January 28th, 2016  
Wonderful tones, great capture of textures, light and shadow, Love the
sooc black and whites you are getting with the X100T. What b and tonal settings did you use Richard?
January 29th, 2016  
Love the light and shadows...nice composition and great story :)
January 29th, 2016  
@tosee With this one I was using the BR setting, auto DR and Shadow Detail +1. I've tried lots of different settings and I'm coming to the (reluctant) conclusion that there is no universal setting that will work for everything, so it's a question of learning the effect of each control and then dialling in what is appropriate for any given scene... or I could just start processing again!
January 29th, 2016  
First off, I'm glad you listen to your wife, because she is probably always right. Second, you rebel you for sneaking in to take this shot. Well done. Third, I always love your photo's because they are so unique to anything I can take here. Canada is only 150 years old and you are taking pictures of something build in the 14th Century. Amazing. What is equally amazing is that you are hiding behind a 700 year old oak tree. :)
January 29th, 2016  
that oak tree was old before my country was 'discovered' by the english...wow...great story...great shot... :o)
January 29th, 2016  
Gorgeous winter lighting, which you have caught so well, with the shadow and all. The building is also beautifully captured. Reading the comments, it seems you are getting the hang of your settings!
January 29th, 2016  
As mentioned, it's always so interesting seeing your photos of buildings built in the 14th century. I love the shadow of the tree. Sounds like a perfect day. Glad you were able to sneak this shot.
January 29th, 2016  
Great POV from behind God's tree. Love the symmetry of the windows and the simple stateliness of the chateau.
January 29th, 2016  
Nicely framed portrait of the old building. Hope Mrs S never forbids you to ever use the motorbike again!
January 29th, 2016  
Love it, great composition, Richard. fav
January 29th, 2016  
The late afternoon sun shines so brightly. I like the branch and the shadow of the tree in the foreground. I always wonder what it might be like to live in a home like this. So big!
January 29th, 2016  
@randystreat Thank you Kathy, I always appreciate your visits. This château is even larger than you might think. Apart from the huge stable block just out of shot on the left, there is another wing on the right-hand side that continues back for perhaps 40 metres and, in the grounds, a sizeable summer-house and a beautiful private chapel. Imagine the heating bills!
January 29th, 2016  
DbJ
I'm so jealous you got to ride! Mrs S sounds like one cool lady! :D
January 30th, 2016  
Mrs S sounds great! Glad you were a rebel and snuck in to get a shot. Love the long shadow of the tree too!
January 30th, 2016  
Ditto on the great framing of the building between shadow and branch
January 30th, 2016  
I can feel the warmth of the sun as it reflects off the building.
January 31st, 2016  
you visit such lovely places
February 1st, 2016  
Beautiful place. Love the part of the motorbike!
February 2nd, 2016  
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