The Friar-Killer, a photo from Coimbra, North

Photographer's Note

We had a beautiful evening in Coimbra. After the walk along the riverside during the blue hour, we went to a Fado Concert. This spot with the monument of Joaquim António de Aguiar, was very photogenic during the day but at the blue hour unfortunately it was not uniformly lit, with some very dark areas. This made it very hard to balance the exposure of various parts of the scene, and I was not very happy with the outcome.
As you can read below, Joaquim António de Aguiar was responsible for a law which was a Portuguese version of “Dissolution of Monasteries” by Henry VIII.

Joaquim António de Aguiar (Coimbra, 1792 – Lisbon, 1884) was a Portuguese politician. He also served as minister of justice during the regency of Peter IV and in that capacity issued the 30 May 1834 law which extinguished "all convents, monasteries, colleges, hospices and any other houses of the regular religious orders". Their vast patrimony was taken over by the Portuguese State and incorporated into the Fazenda Nacional (the National Exchequer). This law and its anti-ecclesiastical spirit earned Joaquim António de Aguiar the nickname "O Mata-Frades" (English: "The Friar-Killer").
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquim_Ant%C3%B3nio_de_Aguiar

40.207274, -8.429571

ikeharel, ChrisJ, jhm, Fis2, COSTANTINO, ktanska, PaulVDV, Royaldevon, macjake, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220717) 2021-05-27 6:54

Ciao Mariusz, fascinating blue hour, lovely composition with imposing statue, excellent exposure, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (171340) 2021-05-27 7:16

Ciao Mariusz,

A delightful corner of the city with the hot pink and cold blue colours complimenting each other superbly. Good sharpness and the circular piazza and statue add a good focal point. Tfs!

jang (2001) 2021-05-27 7:20

Hello Mariusz

Religion began with a fear of nature. However, organizational faith was born to justify the power of rulers according to the differentiation of classes.
At the same time, the development of iron made weapons more powerful and the war more organized.
The ruled class needed a protective shield called the state to defend itself against external aggression, and it was the king's power and religion that united the peasants who were sent to the army.
Religious power was considerable in the Middle Ages. It took a lot of money to go through the Crusades. Medieval lords borrowed money from a monastery with large lands as collateral.
But when the money was not paid back, the monasteries had a huge amount of land and the residents were subjugated to the monastery land.
In order to lead a rational scientific ruling republic, it was absolutely necessary to deprive religious power.

jhm (211734) 2021-05-27 9:15

Hello Mariusz,

Everything photographed before corona time.
Nice statue with excellent colours.
With people walking quiet, in the evening light
Nice architectural statue in foreground.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

Fis2 (169847) 2021-05-27 9:31

Czesc Mariusz!
Ciekawy plac z pomnikiem i jego otoczenie.
Przyjemne wieczorne zdjêcie.
Swiatlo i kolorystyka robia wrazenie.
Dobra robota.
Milego wieczoru.
Krzysztof

lousat (138683) 2021-05-27 9:47

Hi Mariusz,a blue hour is a wonderful opportunity, always, and we like a lot this moment! Great capture of this Coimbra square where all seems painted in pink because the light of this moment,impressive sharpness too. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Tue (91658) 2021-05-27 10:30

Hello Mariusz,
Sounds quite surprising that a man like that got a statue, but it stands out very well from the evening sky. The houses make a charming background and are very nicely illuminated. Very well captured with great sharpness.
Lars

ifege (47069) 2021-05-27 17:26

Hi Mariusz
A good blue hour photo of the square and monument.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (115605) 2021-05-27 22:09

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
thanks for the presentation taken
during the blue hour and
genarally thanks for your useful
notes about a law from the man
in the statue...
My personal opinion is that
this landscape is really attractive...
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (146382) 2021-05-27 23:28

Hi Mariusz,
Excellent composition with the statue on a focal point, good light well captured at dusk, perfect sharpness, photogenic and interesting, tfs

pajaran (115025) 2021-05-28 4:26

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lep trg sa spomenikom i fasade zgrada, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i perspektivom.
Lep spomenik Joaquim António de Aguiar i fotografija, dobro uhvacen trenutak.
Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

ktanska (44492) 2021-05-28 9:40

Hi Mariusz,
That massive statue is an excellent main focal point on this city square. Blue hour light makes a perfect mix with yellow hue illumination. Light toned buildings look great.
Kari

jmdias (114360) 2021-05-28 12:17

mariusz

in fact there were some periods when the church was persecuted in portugal, but never extinguished as it was in UK. the idea was the same, the religious part of the nation had an excessive power and paralyzed the nation in many aspects, but the medicine was ever worst and the religion came back as strong as before.
excellent nocturne view.
take care

jorge

PaulVDV (62810) 2021-05-29 2:07

Hello Mariusz,
A square in Coimbra I don't remember at all.
It would indeed have been better if the whole garden had been lit up.
Yet you present us a very atmospheric blue hour shot.
Best regards, Paul

Royaldevon (85674) 2021-05-30 7:48

Hello Mariusz,

Oh, such devastation was forced upon the religious buildings by these 'law makers' which was to historical detriment!
Maybe they had become too rich and powerful, a perfect target for a rulers short of funds!!!

I think you may be too critical about your night shot. It has a lovely, pink aura, which becomes darker in the b/g, but that adds a sense of depth to the photograph.
I like the individual yellow tones and their reflections on the tiled floors. The scene seems to glow.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

[2]

macjake (98262) 2021-05-31 15:12

Hi Mariusz
Once again....I remember this exact location very well, I took many photos standing here too. as you say you were not fully happy with the result, but, on a positive note it does give the scene some unique lighting and mood - nothing wrong with that.
and it is very sharp/crisp. and the top of the monument is above the building line so we see it very clearly. Good work.
cheers
Craig

mcmtanyel (67757) 2021-06-27 20:42

Hello Mariusz,
It is a nice blue hour photo, I think it turned out nicer than you described in your note.
Regards,
MT