Shirley Bormann, APSA, EPSA
January 2026 - Grossmunster,Zurich
About the Image(s)
Grossmunster Church in Zurich. It was built in a Romanesque Catholic church in about the 11th or 12th century supposedly at the direction of Charlemagne. It became famous in the early 1500s when the pastor, Huldrych Zwingli, who served as a pastor there launched the Swiss Reformation in 1522-25, leading to its transition to a Protestant parish church.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
A very nice and interesting photo of the church, enhanced with a pretty sky as background. I would have preferred a little less river and would crop it up from the bottom. The image is sharp and the lighting is very soft. The little red roof on the building in the center is provides interest against the gray green of the buildings. At what time of day was it taken? Posted: 01/12/2026 09:28:44
Looking at the modelling light I would estimate this being a mid afternoon photo opportunity. Posted: 01/20/2026 15:32:08
David, how can you tell mid morning from mid afternoon? Is it because (as you mentioned) you're familiar with the location? Posted: 01/29/2026 11:55:25
Michael, David is right; it was taken about 2pm. Posted: 01/29/2026 11:15:32
This is a sharp image and the two towers give it a three dimensional look. Rather than crop from the bottom, I suggest taking a bit off from the sky. I like the reflections of the buildings in the water. The sky adds interest.
Posted: 01/18/2026 16:13:47
Posted: 01/18/2026 16:13:47
Thanks. I too like the river but cropped the sky. Posted: 01/29/2026 11:16:26
Thanks for the mini-history lesson! The church is pretty much centered, but it would have been hard to photograph it otherwise unless you included more buildings. I agree with Micheal about the water. I like the sky which enhances the image that has very soft lighting. A nice memory of your Christmas market trip. Posted: 01/20/2026 09:19:49
Thanks, Judy. I did want to include the surrounding buildings even though I don't like subjects centered. And I think that including a bit of history makes it more fun. Posted: 01/29/2026 11:18:19
Your submission evokes memories of my 4+ years when I worked in Zurich so I know every inch of the River Limmat waterfront, you must have been just outside the Fraumunster church close to the old stone bridge.
I tend to agree with Esther and suggest a trim of the sky to have the diagonal cloud line surging in from the top right. To add a touch more history - there is a statue of
Huldrych Zwingli just outside the Grossmunster next to the building with the tiled roof pointed out by Michael. Posted: 01/20/2026 15:43:15
I tend to agree with Esther and suggest a trim of the sky to have the diagonal cloud line surging in from the top right. To add a touch more history - there is a statue of
Huldrych Zwingli just outside the Grossmunster next to the building with the tiled roof pointed out by Michael. Posted: 01/20/2026 15:43:15
David, thanks for including the crop and further history. How interesting to have lived there for 4 years. Lovely city. I assume Huldrych Zwingli is the pastor who reformed the church? Posted: 01/29/2026 11:20:17
The spires are interesting, but the sky makes the image for me. I'd agree with cropping about half an inch off the bottom of the image. Posted: 01/29/2026 12:00:32