Wells Cathedral

[Toby Webster]

Another Cathedral, and quite the most astonishing structure. I was first taken here one Sunday afternoon after lunch when I was a boy at prep school, by John Cornwell (aka Le Carré!) and his then wife in the late 1960s, have been back several times since, and remain in awe. This time we were with my son and daughter-in-law and my baby grand daughter, who had had a procedure in Bristol the day before, and it proved a haven of peace.

The wonderful Chapter House staircase, the 'sea of steps', is far more difficult to photograph than the eponymous 1903 photograph by Frederick H.Evans, and later efforts by Edwin Smith and others, would suggest, with a confusion of converging (and diverging) verticals and horizontals. For these I used both a Nikon Df with a cumbersome 24-70 zoom (the first two) and my Huawei spyphone. I also had a Nikon FE2 with a 35mm and HP5, but I haven't processed those yet.

 

[John2]

Of all of the cathedrals I have managed to visit, Wells is the one that I felt most at peace in. I couldn't explain why but the feeling was palpable. This is a superb set of images Toby. Individually they are very good. As a set they hang together beautifully.

 

[ian_s]

Wonderfull images, I always find the steps, doorways and windows symbolic of life events, whether we have a choice or not.

 

[John King]

I have to commend you on the almost total lack of people which I feel is essential of architectural photography. I get that problem with Durham Cathedral which has - quite rightly an enormous number of visitors. That doesn't enhance photographic possibilities though. Like Durham, it has come to life with the sun shining through the windows, but the glare has been avoided. I like this set.

P.S. I don't know what lens you were using but there is one that (to me) has visible edge curvature. I don't think the stone will be bending. (No1 and 5)

 

[Toby Webster]

You're right, John. Funny the things you don't notice, I should have (and will) apply some correction. The first was taken with a rather unpleasant Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80 f2. 8 probably at 28mm on a full frame Nikon Df, so no surprises there. #5 was with my spy phone with its tiny plastic lens, but while I think the walls do actually lean out, I can't see such obvious curvature. I'll apply some correction to both though.

Thanks for all the comments. Wells Cathedral is indeed the most extraordinarily peaceful place.

 

[Alan Clark]

Really nice set Toby. As Ian said, there is something intriguing about steps. As for edge curvature, I can't see any either
Excellent photographs and congratulations on the superb processing..

 

[Toby Webster]

Thanks Alan.