New Year, out with the 'old' and in with the 'new' (account) .....

[Astro]

Over the last few years, many of you will have seen images of Stained Glass that I have posted periodically as James G.

For reasons I'm not entirely clear about, a problem with my 'old' account now prevents me from creating new threads, (though I could add to existing threads!) So, somewhat reluctatantly, I've created a new account and present the image below as the equivalent of a 'fine' champagne smashed on the bows of a new launched vessel!

I was in Dublin a few months back and took the opportunity to photograph a panel approximately 13x7 inches created in 2019 by Harry Clarke for a friend. It is now an item of National Heritage and is displayed in thev National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin.

The title and theme of the panel is ' The Song of the Mad Prince' is taken from a poem by Walter de la Mer.

Stained Glass has bee a passion of mine since I first noticed at about the age of four, and I have been photographing it for more than 55 years with, I hope, increasing aptitude .

IMO this is one of the finest panels I have ever seen and is simply exquisite!



#1 Panel as it is actually prresented.....set into a hand made wooden 'casket' and illuminated from within.
( have cropped away the casket!)





#2 This is the same image as above but placed an a matt background with the text of the poem added to provide the literary context for the image.




C&C welcome,

(and a belated Happy New Year with many Blessings to all.)
James

[Shadowman]

Happy New Year, welcome back and nice capture. Only issue and not sure if its the result of the capture/processing or actual artifact but the corner blue looks like banding.

[FootLoose]

Interesting subject James well captured. The 2nd version seems darker to me and less impactful than the first. Is that because of the black matt or did you alter the processing too?

[John 2]

That's just splendid. Burned out highlights are the bane of stained glass photographers but no sign here. Perfect exposure - prefer the first. Nice work.

[Astro]

John thanks for the feedback.

Only issue and not sure if its the result of the capture/processing or actual artifact but the corner blue looks like banding.

No, it is not banding, but I can see why you would think so. It is an actual artefact and due to the way the artist etched the glass.
As you might expect, I have a couple of versions of the image, and I suspect this is probably a little brighter than it needs to be, for a screen presentation.



Greg, you are correct, the image is a bit darker. The black matt was added as a border, and the final collage was adjusted for print. (It was actually done for a close friend who now has it on her lounge wall. )

I also photographed another of Harry Clarke's pieces in the same gallery, a three light window which is 129 inches in height as opposed to the 'mere' 13 inches of the Mad Prince panel!


#1 The Mother of Sorrows

[Astro]

Thanks John, you are right, burnt out highlights are always a problem. I do have to give Merrion Square credit though, they have managed the lighting in the gallery brilliantly. They have introduced indirect low level lighting in the gallery and have not 'fronted' the glass with a protective pane so no irritating reflections either.
If you get to Dublin, well worth a quick visit

[Polar01]

Beautiful pieces of works.

Cheers: Allan