San Xavier del Bac

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted October 31, 2013113 views7 comments

Built in 1797 and still in daily use, it reflects man's ability to create and endure in harsh - yet beautiful - conditions.

Tohono O'odham Nation, Sonoran desert in Southern Arizona

Nikon D7100
Nikkor 70-200mm f4G + TC17
(effective 217mm)
ISO 100
1/400 sec f/8
Handheld, afternoon in late October

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 31, 2013 at 7:59 PM

My wife and I visited there in 2005. I was particularly enchanted with the interior and the garden. I like this in black and white, but I could wish for more tonal range. An interesting composition.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by John Willemsen on October 31, 2013 at 8:16 PM

Yes, Phil. In the last five or six years they have done extensive, and very well done, professional renovation to both the interior and exterior. I wanted a dramatic atmosphere for this photo and increased the contrast on purpose, which of course affected the tonal range. Always great to hear from you.

Registered on September 27, 2013, 74 Posts, 29 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 31, 2013 at 8:32 PM

Beautiful rendition, John. The light on the white walls make if feel like they are glowing.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on October 31, 2013 at 9:09 PM

John, this is a nice photo of a beautiful mission. I photographed the front of the church last year, but prefer the vantage point chosen by you.

The exposure looks good and the picture is sharp. But, is the bell tower tilted slightly to the left? Perhaps the angles of the hill and the clouds make it appear slanted to me.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on October 31, 2013 at 9:21 PM

Beautiful black and white

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by John Willemsen on October 31, 2013 at 11:16 PM

Thank you, Randy. Interesting you should mention the apparent tilt of the bell tower. I have the same impression and double-checked when working on the B&W conversion: it is vertical in relation to the frame. I agree that it is an effect from the angles of clouds and hills.

Registered on September 27, 2013, 74 Posts, 29 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Herscovitch on November 5, 2013 at 1:01 AM

This works very well in black and white. Beautiful image.

Registered on October 15, 2013, 14 Posts, 18 Comments