Saturday 7 May 2011

Chance Encounter at Wells Cathedral

I recently decided to spend a day in Wells in Somerset, which is famous for it's wonderful cathedral and historic past as well as being the main setting for the film 'Hot Fuzz'. I spent a happy day wandering around in the sun, sitting in the Bishops Palace gardens (which are so pretty and peaceful) eating ice-cream and generally acting the part of the sightseer. Of course I had my camera with me to complete the image.


Towards the end of the day I was walking around Wells Cathedral and admiring the wonderful architecture and taking photos when they closed part of it off for evensong, just as I got there. Disappointed I decided to make my way through the cloisters to the cathedral grounds. As I did this a door at the end opened and the choir neatly made their way past me to the cathedral nave. I couldn't resist taking a photo as they approached me through the late afternoon light slanting in through the glazed window arches.


Literally a minute or two later the door at the end opened again and a late chorister came out at a smart pace. Just as he passed me he dropped his hymn books and music. He quickly picked them up and then hurried along to evensong. i quickly raised my camera and captured his moment of haste. I didn't notice at the time but, when I got home I noticed someone was peering around the door into the cathedral nave; presumably wondering where their errant chorister was. As I've said before, for me at least, photography is all about capturing a moment and I was very pleased to capture this one. It has become one of my own personal favourites.

12 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos :) I haven't been there myself, but would love to visit one day.

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  2. Perfect captures!! love the motion involved.

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  3. Thanks for the follow - am following back and all the best with the photography! I love photography too - though I am only a keen amateur.

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  4. I love both of those pics - great 'capturing of time'....

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  5. How old is the cathedral? One wonders how much history it's seen.

    Cheers.

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  6. Oh..I LOVE both of these pictures. The first one has such great movement and the Blue of their clothing is such a surprise and so very beautiful...! And the second one is great, great, great---again, the movement...Perfect. Like you, I believe in 'the moment' of a photograph and the surprises that often await when you see the picture larger and can look at it for an extended time....
    I also LOVE the shape of the ceiling in these two pictures, too....All So Beautiful, my dear!

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  7. Nikki-ann: Thanks. It is well worth a visit and I am sure you will enjoy it when you finally go. The Bishops palace and cathedral are 'must-sees' in the UK I think.

    Thanks Mar :)

    Nicki - Thanks! Keep snappin' :)

    Thanks Melody. I try my best but time is an elusive subject!

    Randal - I believe the cathedral dates back to the 11th or 12th century. It's history is well documented and it was home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

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  8. the photo of the choir member running to catch up is brilliant

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  9. Oh Dear! I left a long commenmt here saying how BEAUTIFUL I thought both these pictures were....The BLUE of the Monks(?) Gowns...Sooo very perfect, and the movement, too...And The Movement in the second picture---PLUS the Ceiling....GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS! It sickens me that my comment just disappeared---And it was before all the Blogger Problems....!!!! OY!
    Gee, I hope this comment gets published.

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  10. Lovely photos. Reminds me a bit of Hogwarts :D

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  11. You always did lovely work. It reminds me a bit of Hogwarts. :D

    Nepharia

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  12. Thanks Miss Fortune - Actually these were taken in the Cloisters and some of the scenes from Harry Potter were shot in the cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral so it's very similar :)

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