The door is open by Baina Masquelier
The door is open
111 views on 8th June 2011
The door is open at the Basilica of Saint-Just de Valcabrère (1km East of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges) in the Haute-Garonne Midi-Pyrénées, France.
Before leaving the Pyrénées, I had to revisit the Basilica of Saint-Just de Valcabrère (the first time would have been in the mid 1970’s). There was always something very special about this Roman style basilica surrounded by cypress trees and vineyards… It was small and cozy and no two stones were the same. They gathered and brought in whatever stone they could find… from as far as Rome, I believe, but please correct me if I am wrong. One big stone might take the space of three. From a distance, everything lines up. Close up, it’s a wonderful puzzle. It was a burial site with Pagan and later Christian funerals – dating back to Roman times.
On 30th July 2009, around 5pm, we made it just in time to absorb the feel of this wonderful church built in the 11th-12th century. Everything that happened in that space and time was from the heart.
Photo and videos were captured with Canon IXUS 700. Converted to B&W with CS2 using Channel Mixer, levels and a bit of burning on the cross.
Featured in:
~ Religious Art and Photography 18th April 2011
~ Core [C.O.R.E] 19th May 2011
~ Time Gates 28th May 2011
~ Honour the dead 10th June 2011
Winner & Top Ten in The $20 Black and White OLD DOORS challenge in Time Gates 9th June 2011
Top Ten in:
~ One door closes, another opens the challenge in Where on Earth is This? 19th May 2011
~ Doors! in The CatRaven Challenge 27th May 2011
~ doors – $20 voucher challenge for june 2011 in Creative, Talented & Unknown
~ August Avatar ~ Member’s Choice in Religious Art and Photography
A young couple was sitting behind the organ playing a few notes and I caught a few frames.
Shortly after the couple stopped playing,
a man started to sing… from his heart.
What a wonderful day…
Comments
A great subject for black and white and well composed too. You also captured the light on the edge of the steps and on the door, beautifully. Well exposed.
Thank you so much for your constructive feedback, Eve, it is much appreciated. Because of my camera’s limitations, I tend to underexposed a bit to get as much detail as possible. The light on the edge of the steps was a delightful surprise!
– Baina Masquelier
this is wonderful Baina…I like the way the door opens outside to the monument with cross..lovely write up and videos to match… a special visit for sure :)
Thank you for your lovely comment Linda. It’s taken me nearly 2 years to understand how to upload videos… thank you for visiting!
– Baina Masquelier
Oh wow, thank you.. I feel most humble… thank you for hosting!
– Baina Masquelier
Fantastic image!!!!! Love this :)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Thank you Vicki, I’m glad you like it :-)
– Baina Masquelier
Love the balance of light & shadow here. Makes for an intriguing image
Dave
Thank you Dave, much appreciate your feedback and the fave :-)
– Baina Masquelier
beautifully seen
Thank you Isa :-)
– Baina Masquelier
Great capture, but I’m not sure I would go inside one of these!!!
Thank you Vivian, it is actually quite safe inside the basilica with a lovely atmosphere and all those beautiful stones :-)
– Baina Masquelier
most excellent shot !
Thank you Theodore, and thank you for the fave!
– Baina Masquelier
Interesting and very beautifully done shot!
Thank you Paul, and thank you for the fave :-)
– Baina Masquelier
Fantastic and Beautiful shot.
Thank you Eva, I am glad you like it :-)
– Baina Masquelier