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Belfry of Old Church


Belfry of Old Church
Photo Information
Copyright: Subhash Ranjan (sranjan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 489 W: 63 N: 1877] (5784)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-10
Categories: Rain Forest
Camera: Olympus Sp 510uz
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-11-07 4:35
Viewed: 4037
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The photograph was shot at Ross Island, the historical head quarters of British during colonial regime in India. It depicts an old church ruins with prominent tree structure which happens to be belfry; now taken over by wild vegetations of the rainforest.

This was a Presbyterian Church built of stone and the window had frames made of Burma Teak. The glass panes behind the alter were made of beautifully etched stained glass from Italy. The quality of the wood was so good, it survived the vagaries of weather for over a 100 years.


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Ross Island, a few km from Aberdeen jetty at Port Blair, is yet another member of the Andaman group of islands. As in the case of its sister-islands, it also has thick forests. To any onlooker it may give the impression that it has no "life" — in the sense that there is no human habitation.

Yes, it is an island where no settlement is allowed by the authorities. But, a few decades ago, this island was the seat of "British power." Ross Island was the headquarters of the Indian Penal Settlement for nearly 80 years. It had everything — bazaar, bakery, stores, water treatment plant, church, tennis court, printing press, secretariat, hospital, cemetery and what have you. Today, everything has disappeared except some buildings, which housed some of these landmarks. What was called "Paris of East" at its peak got converted into a haunted isle and a wash in memories with widening cracks and crumbling masonry in the remains of the structures.
CeltickRanger, boreocypriensis, Argus, loot, goldyrs, Mikolaj, oscarromulus has marked this note useful
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To Argus: hellosranjan 1 12-28 09:40
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Subhash

today i am your neighbor !

excellent photomontage of the old church ruins
and with the old Rain Forest tree photos,
shot with fine POV, excellent sharpness and details
and specially educative notes, TFS

Asbed

Hi & Good Morning Subhash,

Excellent collage on the belfry of an old church.
The details, POV/DOF and composition are wonderful.
TFS and have a nice Sunday!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-11-07 22:40]
  • [+]

Hello Subhash,
An interesting posting!
An excellent illustration of how rainforest vegetation can take over man-made structures, here what looks like a species of fig making use of some old church ruins.
The external an internal views are well taken with fine sharpness and lighting.
Thank you!
All the best from a cold and dark Sweden,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2009-11-08 9:42]

Hi Subhash

Excellent captures of how nature reclaims its territory. The external shot shows the size and majesty of the resettled belfry tree and the inside shot shows the root structures and growth. It is this very roots that will slowly, but surely, break down the old church structure until eventually it "consumes" the old building.

A fabulous example of natural history. We sometimes tend to forget that this is a valid (legal) topic on TrekNature. When doing an upload one finds this note right above the links to TrekEarth and TrekLens - Note: TrekNature is for serious wildlife and natural history type shots.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

An amazing collage, Ranjan...Very well seen.
Goldy

Hello Subhash! Very original idea, interesting topics, good composition, nice frame. Very fine effect. Well done!

Dear Dr. Ranjan,
You have registered not only a great piece of photography but also HISTORY in the making!!!! Congratulations.
GREAT AMOUNT OF DETAILS!!! With EXCELLENT clarity too.
Wish I was young again... I'd go visit you.
Friendly greetings from yours truely....

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