IV Finally the castle Montsegur at sight, a photo from Midi-Pyrénées, Sud

Photographer's Note

IV: Finally the castle Montsegur at sight

In this series we have seen some photos from the region around the castle, after the introduction. This photo displays the castle at the top of this rocky cliff, deep in the Midi Pyrenees, as seen from the sparsely populated valley.

How have the landscape been cultivated from 1243? Not for me to know, but knowing that 10.000 Crusaders was to do a 10-month long siege by the foot of this mountain there sure must have been some logistics in place for accommodating and living, not to forget partying (for the crusaders I mean) in this long period. There was a big ‘fiesta’ awaiting – burning some 220 Catharses at the stake. Think of all the time to plan the event staying 10 long winter months in a camp with nothing much to do…

In 2005 we can see this woman in full swing distributing whatever from the barn – I can be a witness to the smell – what to say – not perfumed - on the contrary – but still the hard work with not the best paying and profitability.

We know that under the long winter night’s, patrols of experienced mountain dwellers scaled the steep cliff and gained a foothold on the upper plateau to the east (at right in this photo)

More info later in this series – or look to previous postings

Ref: The Green Guide Langedoc Roussillon and the Montesegur information sheet

mitternacht, efigesta, ChrisJ, Emile, Fixfocus, weswang, Cricri trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

mitternacht (1839) 2005-12-11 6:16

Hi Jack, with the sepia effect there's nothing here that gives away that is a new photo (a part from the bright part of the sky at the bottom right, that looks digital to me somehow). My suggestion for composition would be to lower the angle a little, include more foreground and less sky, so that the woman gets a little more central position, and correct the horizon tilt. But apart from those minor points I think it's an interesting picture and it's interesting to see that there are still areas in western europe that look so genuinely old-fashioned.

Regards,
Simon

efigesta (12188) 2005-12-11 7:23

Hi Jack

This pic in sepia is so great, good daily life composition, with a great POV

tks to share
manuel

Emile (20352) 2005-12-11 9:47

Hola Jack.
Good B&W picture with great sepia effect. I agree with the rest about the short foreground and the extra space of the sky. At first sight i thought the tilt was a natural effect of the mountain, but letter i saw that the trees, fence and trunks are tilted, these are minor things the picture is very good.
Rgds.

Fixfocus (9385) 2005-12-11 12:55

Hi Jack,
The toned B/W creates a timeless atmosphere.Good tompo too,I like the daily life touch and the amazing depth.
Greetings,
Hermann

jasmis (58631) 2005-12-11 14:06

Excelent continuation of the splendid seria. This is great idea to show Cathars' castles in sepia. It gives some mood and ancient climate. Well done. Important note, too.

Ebbe (9625) 2005-12-11 15:48

I like how you put the woman in the corner to get a human presence. Also note how she and the mountaintop interacts in opposite corners.

The sepia looks a bit strong and a bit green on my screen.

weswang (18247) 2005-12-11 21:21

Hi Jack, The view, and the PP made this picture look like a historic document image. Nice composition and nice clarity. Well done.

Gregtom (7169) 2005-12-12 2:59

Hi, Jack!
I like sepia tone in this nice landscape. It was a very good Idea to put a hard working person into the scene - it makes it dynamic and simply "alive". Good composition with well looking opposition between the woman and the mountain.
regards,
Greg

ChrisJ (159862) 2005-12-12 4:33

Hello Jack

The sepia is marvellous but I'm not sure about the tilt here. A traditional landscape usually looks better with traditional framing. Maybe it's just my personal taste though. Good work overall. Tfs.

Cricri (176) 2005-12-12 8:08

Bonjour Jack, Belle composition, cette femme mise à l'avant plan, et une jolie vue sur la montagne,
les images fais en sépia me font penser au passer.
Belle image.
Amitiés
cricri

saeedabbasi (298) 2006-09-17 1:32 [Comment]