Tag: Normandie

Fragments of Château de Gratot

Tobias M. Schiel7 Comments

Cotentin, France, May 2023. – At first it did not seem like there was much to see, or photograph. But then we started reconstructing this castle in our minds, trying to figure what it originally was meant to be: a fortification built to defend its inhabitants, then a monument to their wealth. Until the roof came tumbling down on a table already set for a wedding dinner.

As for the photography, I remembered I used to like these bright, cloudy skies because they allow me to work with negative space. So I investigated the interaction of architecture and picture plane a bit, which for me is always a very satisfying way of connecting with the ‘spacial meaning’ of built structures.

Lens-Artists’ Photo Challenge #253 – Fragments

Fragmente einer Sprache des Schreckens

Tobias M. Schiel12 Comments

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Batterie Longues-sur-Mer. People killed here. People died here. A tractor tows a plough over the fields, back and forth; birds sing, gulls scream. I smell the sea.

I know the guns reached far and were not easily destroyed. However, I’d like to imagine that after the first destructive blows the remaining soldiers realised that their chances dwindled. And ran.

People run around and photograph the cannons. I don’t want cannons; they are not appealing, not even visually. I try to make a picture of this space that stifles me.

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[This week’s photo challenge reminded me that today might be an adequate day for posting this.]