Muiderslot, a photo from Noord-Holland, South

Photographer's Note

The Muiderslot is a castle in the Netherlands, located at the mouth of the river Vecht, some 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, where it flows into what used to be the Zuiderzee. It's one of the better known castles in the Netherlands and has been featured in many television shows set in the Middle Ages.
The history of the Muiderslot (Castle Muiden, where muiden means rivermouth) begins with Count Floris V who built a stone castle at the mouth of the river back in 1280, when he gained command over an area that used to be part of the See of Utrecht. The River Vecht was the trade route to Utrecht, one of the most important tradetowns of that age. The castle was used to enforce a toll on the traders. It is a relatively small castle, measuring 32 by 35 meters with brick walls well over 1.5 meters thick. A large moat surrounded the castle.
A hundred years later, in 1370, the castle was rebuilt on the same spot based on the same plan, by Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria, who at that time was also the Count of Holland and Zeeland.
The next famous owner of the castle shows up in the 16th century, when P.C. Hooft (1581-1647), a famous author, poet and historian took over sheriff and bailiff duties for the area (Het Gooiland). For 39 years he spent his summers in the castle and invited friends, scholars, poets and painters such as Vondel, Huygens, Bredero and Maria Tesselschade, over for visits. This group became known as the Muiderkring. He also extended the garden and the (plum-) orchard, while at the same time an outer earthworks defense system was put into place.
At the end of the 18th century, the castle was first used as a prison, then abandoned and became derelict. Further neglect caused it to be offered for sale in 1825, with the purpose of it being demolished. Only intervention by King William I prevented this. Another 70 years went by until enough money was gathered to restore the castle in its former glory.
The Muiderslot is currently a national museum (Rijksmuseum). The insides of the castle, its rooms and kitchens, have been restored to look like they did in the 17th century and several of the rooms now house a good collection of arms and armour.

Cricri, bakes888, Floydian, tomescuc, siamesa, alvaraalto, phwall, pauloog, ChrisJ, belido, parbo, siolaw, xavshot, TopGeo, AiresSantos, feather, papagolf21, gunbud, jlbrthnn, fulvio52, saylan-cb, Photo65Net, carper, Kielia, bobocortis, gracious, pasternak, patdeph, pboehringer, adores, JCG, Emile, Didi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

P-S-I-G (25536) 2009-01-16 11:02

Hello Gerrit,
Pleasant winter light. I like how you managed the composition with the castle at the left.
Best regards,
Fabrice

jasmis (58653) 2009-01-16 11:07

Fine silhouette of a castle behind grass.
Regards.

Fis2 (170613) 2009-01-16 11:28

Witaj Gerrit!
Very nice composition.
Good frame and interesting lighy.
Superb colours.
Well done
Regards
Krzysztof

Cricri (176) 2009-01-16 11:29

Hi Gerrit
Une belle lumi閞e qui r閏hauffe une partie du paysage givr� par le froid ainsi que les tours du ch鈚eau, beau moment sous un ciel doux
Good evening for you
cricri

bakes888 (18499) 2009-01-16 11:32

Hi Gerrit. I see winter has taken hold there! Well considered POV and composition, good FG with the orange grasses and the strong diagonal of the river add depth and dynamism. Nice colour palette also. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

Floydian (30970) 2009-01-16 11:41

Hoi Gerrit,

Eentje zonder schaatsers, maar ook deze mag gezien worden omdat er prachtig licht op de torens staat. Ook de voorgrond werkt hier prima mee, dus al met al een schitterend Hollands landschap...

Prettig weekend,

Henk

tomescuc (3291) 2009-01-16 12:32

Nice composition with the grass and riverbed lines, and the castle in the background. Nice low light and vibrant tones.
cheers,
Cristian

siamesa (28231) 2009-01-16 13:32

Hi Gerrit

I loved the history of this castle. It seems small but it is very nice. I'd like to see the walls so thick. It's a very beautiful picture and the vegetation that seems drought has a nice copper colour.
Abra鏾s
Maria

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-01-16 13:43

Hallo Gerrit,

Schitterende winterfoto. Perfect licht en een mooie laag POV waardoor het lijkt of het Muiderslot zich achter het bevroren riet wil verschuilen. Ik vraag me af of wat schaatsers de foto nog beter had gemaakt, maar ik denk het eigenlijk niet.

groet Rob

phwall (6787) 2009-01-16 14:46

Hi Gerrit,
Every couple of weeks an extraordinary image is presented here on TE, this is one of them.
Your composition and POV are just superb, the late light is beautiful, it depicts the many variations in light and shadow on this marvelous capture brilliantly.
A very special shot my friend, congratulations on a fine effort.
Congratulations too on such an informative and enjoyable note to accompany this wonderful image.
Regards
Peter

pauloog (11751) 2009-01-16 14:55

Dag Gerrit,
A beautiful view of the castle shown with a golden coloured foreground and converging lines.
groetjes,
Paul

ChrisJ (171794) 2009-01-16 16:08

Hi Gerrit

Good sharpness & diagonal layering with the road & grass in the margin strip. Superb colour, & the bg castle at left makes a fine focal point. Tfs!

belido (19934) 2009-01-16 16:56

Hi Gerrit,

very clever pov. Placing the castle in the second third and using the frozen plants as the element in the foreground makes the image an easy and plesant seen. I also like the warm lighting coming from the left. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

parbo (11092) 2009-01-16 17:11

Dag Gerrit,

What a difficult and cold winter you have this year. Lights on castle and frozen grasses are amazing with long shadows on frozen canal too. Seems you wait warmest time of day ;) Congratulations. Have a nice weekend.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-01-16 19:34

Helo Gerrit
Well well
this looks like from a fairy and this frozen days are not always bad
Nice picture
Thanks
Cheers,Braca

siolaw (38294) 2009-01-16 22:09

Hi Gerrit
I like this compo with just enough sky and off centered castle against the sky..., and the superb light soft and pastel colors.
It looks cold, man!
Laurent

xavshot (69835) 2009-01-16 23:32

Bonjour Gerrit
tr鑣 belle lumi鑢e et bel ensemble avec ce paysage recouvert d'un l間er givre blanc. Cela donne une belle impression de froid. Beau choix de cadrage.
Xavier

TopGeo (38220) 2009-01-16 23:46

Hello Gerrit,It is a good place that strengthens the prospect and the dynamics in your picture. I like the indirect lighting that gives in the castle volume
Regards,
Georgios

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-01-17 5:21

Hi Gerrit,
Fine view of the Castle with excellent colours. I like the low POV and the dry grass in the foreground
TFS and have a nice weekend
Aires

feather (51130) 2009-01-17 9:01

Beautiful winter image in excellent light. The golden tones tinged with frost are very appealing, and your POV using the diagonals of the frozen river and the grasses works very well in the composition.
Kath

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-01-17 14:01

Bonsoir, cher Gerrit,
Voil� une photographie qui me pla顃 particuli鑢ement par son int閞阾 historique (fort bien expliqu� dans la note) et par la beaut� architecturale qui a connu au cours des si鑓les bien des changements tout en conservant son aspect pratiquement d'origine.
Le choix du cadrage est tr鑣 bon et particuli鑢ement la lumi鑢e tr鑣 douce enveloppant ce magnifique ch鈚eau.
Amiti閟.
Philippe

gunbud (34066) 2009-01-17 18:53

Hi Gerrit,
Wonderful winter composition seen in warm winter light.
Lovely frozen Dutch canal so beautifully framed by the tall golden reeds and impressive castle.
Regards, Tom

danyy (0) 2009-01-18 0:09

Bonjour Gerrit
des lumi鑢es agr閍bles pour cette ambiance froide d'hiver, un POV e閘oign� bien choisi qui montre non seulement cet 閐ifice mais aussi tout ce qui l'entoure.
Des lumi鑢es efficaces.
Redgards>.
Daniel.

rodgerg (55767) 2009-01-18 1:08

Dag Gerrit,

Zeer mooie utilisatie van het licht van winter. Een POV zeer goed gekozen geeft een mooie diepte. Mooie warme kleuren ook.
Goed zondag mijn vriend,
Roger

jlbrthnn (76043) 2009-01-18 1:35

Hello Gerrit,
In the coldness and low-angled light, the fortress is still impressive, and also elegant. The east foreground is a good introduction to discovered this splendid image. Congratulations.
Have a nice suanday
Cordially
Jo雔

Nicou (193806) 2009-01-18 2:09

Hello,
Mangigique e premier plan avec ces roseux tout dor閟 et givr閟, qu'elle belle couleur, puis la glace et ce superbe ch鈚eau qui surgit, une tout belle image, superbe.

bravo et amiti�

Nicou

ymrk (15099) 2009-01-18 2:41

Dear Gerrit;
iced vegatable,sumptuous architecture views are very beautiful meanings for this compo.
Very original idea,very fine your outlook!
Have a nice weekend,

Yağmur

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-01-18 4:37

Hoi, buurtje.
Prima hoek, schilderachtige belichting, prachtig hoe de Muiderslot zich daarachter profileert. Helemaal top!
Ik wens je nog een fijne zondag. De groeten uit de Czaar Peter,
Fulvio.

saylan-cb (12738) 2009-01-18 7:00

Hi Gerrit,
Very nice compositions and great POV with natural colours and beautiful light.
Well done!
TFS/Regards
Şaylan

Photo65Net (43144) 2009-01-18 9:12

Hello Gerrit,
Amazing warm light here !
I like too your compo with great depth and diagonal use.
Have a nice day,
JB.

carper (96) 2009-01-18 9:53

mooie plaat Gerrit,
zeer fraai genomen met het zeker niet eenvoudige likcht vanaf die kant. prettige avond.
groet Jaap

Kielia (24077) 2009-01-18 10:13

Hi Gerrit,
this is a wonderful fairytale like capture of the castle. Your were very lucky with the light that made your session a great success. The colors are wonderful too. Most of all I like the excellent perspective. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

bobocortis (16090) 2009-01-18 11:51

Hello Gerrit.
Really a frozen shot, with a delicate light.
Well-placed castle taken in a not easy backlight.
Best regards.
Bobo.

jemaflor (146996) 2009-01-19 10:13

Hi Gerrit,
Well composed with this foreground, interesting castle, good light and brown colour.

gracious (20025) 2009-01-19 11:12

Hello Gerrit,
I loved those pleasant winter light across the land!
the pov is perfect in good depth and a good fg interest!
good placement of the castle as well
thanks
Tony

gilou530 (34) 2009-01-20 10:00

salut gerrit
une photo magnifique de ce chateau sous des couleurs d'hiver et un froid, le contre jour est bien g閞� et un bon POV
amiti閟
gilbert

pasternak (15185) 2009-01-21 3:09

Beautiful light on this famous castle and especially on the frozen grass... Well done!

Cheers
A

patdeph (35750) 2009-01-21 6:11

hello Gerrit
there is a suoperb contrast between the warm colours given by the splendid light,and the frozen landscape!I like very much how yiu have composed this photo with the grasses in front of the castle!Really superb,I like very much!
Regards
Pascale

Silvio1953 (221435) 2009-01-21 11:40

Ciao Gerrit, Wonderful frozen view of splendid castle, beautiful light and colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

pboehringer (770) 2009-01-24 18:32

Gerrit,
a very nice blend of landscape photography and architecture that you got here. The light is typical for a european winter and makes a good element for the scene.
Peter

adores (46979) 2009-01-25 17:45

Hi Gerrit!
Very good winter shot! I like these plants and the frozen river in foreground and then the castle in background. Good colours and aperfect winter atmosphere! It must be really cold there:)!

JCG (35153) 2009-02-01 5:28

Hi Gerrit,

A very beautiful point of view to highlight this splendid castle. I like much this foreground solidified by the cold and this superb light which gives hot colors to the landscape. Pretty photographic glance, Gerrit cheer.

With all my friendships and a very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

ls7902 (7380) 2009-02-01 19:45

Hello Gerrit,
For some reason a castle like that in the wilderness is not the image of the Netherlands in my mind. Wonderful low POV capture of the castle through the foreground of frosted grass and river. Nice afternoon light and colors. Regards. Latiff.

Angshu (56760) 2009-02-04 0:25

Hi Gerrit
We've seen this castle from your previous post, but this closer view is just as good. Like the soft delicate light, which hits the castle & the tall grasses. The hint of frost provides good contrast. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

Emile (20352) 2009-02-04 6:41

Hola Gerrit.
Wonderful composition, the frozen river and high grass in the fg creates a nice winter scene with the impressive castle in the bg. Good POV, colors and frame, also a very good note.
TFS.
Best regards.

devimeuxbe (58557) 2009-02-07 7:50

Hi Gerrit
i like a lot the beautifull atmosphere you get here; The composition is perfect and also you get a very beautifull light
well done
Bertrand

Didi (61589) 2009-02-11 10:08

Hello Gerrit
Interestin frozen foreground in curve with a good Point of view on the castle.
The lights direction give some relief to the composition.
Best regards.

lukie (0) 2009-02-26 10:48

Dag Gerrit,

natuur en architectuur samen in 殚n shot, daar hou ik van (van beiden apart ook eigenlijk). De foto is nog zo veel mooier daar hij bij lage zon (ochtend of avond ?) genomen is.
Verdiende waardering door zoveel anderen al !

groeten,

Luc.