Medieval masonry feats at Gloucester cathedral.

No long thesis this time - just a celebration of architecture

1 Norman pillars and round arches supporting a later Early English clerestory and stone vaulted ceiling. (Two previous wooden roofs had burned down).



2 In stark contrast to the simple nave the ceiling of the chancel (called the quire here) represents the culmination of English Gothic magnificence.



3 A closer view of the central portion.



4 and the right hand end, with Christ in the middle surrounded by an angelic orchestra.



5 The cloisters were featured in a Harry Potter film masquerading as Hogwarts School. The fan vaulted ceilings are just stunning.


6



7 The same style persists even in the monks' lavatorium!



8 and they even had time to poke a bit of fun - check out the demon at the bottom!



All with a K1 and the fantastic F series 24-40mm. All hand held at some crazy slow speeds despite ISO1600

Lovely set David - particularly like 6 & 7, larger and on a good screen they can be appreciated best That lens is often overlooked, but as you've shown it's a stellar performer (in the right hands)!

I've always enjoyed Gloucester Cathedral - I was lucky enough to work nearby 20+ years ago and spent many a lunchtime in the gardens with a coffee and sarnies I was lucky enough to be there one day when a film crew and a large number of small children in cloaks were wandering around - Hogwarts came to life

Two craftsmen at work here....

The ones who built it and the one who photographed it!

Epic set a d a great subject.

Plus 1.

Nice job all-round, showing the details and flamboyance of the interiors.

Lovely work here, David, (the craftsmen / the photographer).

Amazing and beautiful constructions, well captured and presented. (I would appreciate 6 and 7 even more if their structures were lifted just gently from the shadows - sorry Lenny!)

Philip

I don't quite know how to feel with those glowing comments - thank you. I'm happy that you like them.

I have lightened 6 and 7 for you






What do people think is better?

Very, very impressive, both architecturally and photographically. I'm always amazed at how those fancy, elaborate and seemingly flimsy ceilings have stayed up for so long - no stress analysis in those days! And the geometrical complexity is stunning.

I've looked at the whole set several times, it's that good . The original (darker) versions of 6 and 7 for me, please. My only niggle with those two is not the dark bits but the brightest bits - bottom of wall behind people in 6, far window in 7. The colour is lost in the brightness. I wouldn't have mentioned it if there hadn't been a comment on the dark bits. But life would be boring if people didn't have different opinions .

Steve

Just when I thought I had all the F series I wanted, up pops a 24-40! I have a list of supposedly all the F series, this one does not appear.?

You're right - it does state 24-40, but I'm certain David means 24-50 (that's how I mistakenly read it)

The originals of 6 and 7 are better to my eyes - the lightened versions do bring out more detail but that's not always what it's about. The mood and atmosphere is not quite so good in these (IMO)

I'm happy to stick with my original comment. You have kept the adjustments gentle (as I requested), and I prefer and enjoy the extra detail. They are contributing to your "celebration of architecture", while retaining plenty of mood and atmosphere.

Thank you, David.

Philip

Lovely work by both the photographer and mediaeval masons. Gloucester is a wonderful cathedral and you've done it proud here David.
David

~

Outstanding. architecture, nicely revealed.



.

My bad. It IS the F 24 - 50. Sorry for any confusion. Thank you for pointing that out.