Reims and its cathedral has already qualified for a post on my blog. So has one of the images. But much as the architecture, the stained glass, the stone carving of these mediaeval cathedrals inspires awe, I just as much enjoy inspecting what the stonemasons got up to often in more hidden areas. Instead of saints, characters from the bible, earthly donors who needed their memorial, those masons seem to have relished chipping away to celebrate the more characterful inhabitants of the planet. And such statues often get more weather-beaten than most. Stacked on pallets and away from public view, I found this little lot hidden in an outside corner, awaiting a spot of restoration. They made my day.
For Bren’s Mid-Week Monochrome #126
My header photo is by Pascal Bernardon via Unsplash
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
What a great find Margaret … gorgeous black and white images… mind you a couple of them look rather scary. 😀 😀 😀
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Oh, absolutely! But in a good way.
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Such great stonemason work.
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Oh, what fabulous finds, Margaret!
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Being nosey and going ‘rahnd the back’ pays dividends sometimes.
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Totally agree, I did a lot of that when fitter!
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Love the grotesques!
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So did I!
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A face that only a mother could love is how mine would have put it 🤣💟
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Haha! That’s a phrase that was used in my family too – though usually of a dog with a squashed face or similar.
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What a fantastic find, and perfect for some back and white photography – it really emphasises the texture of those worn stones and the contrasts of light and shadow on the faces.
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Yep AND they weren’t photographed in b/w.
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So you’re playing around with B&W editing now? Excellent!
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Shall I tell you a secret, Sarah? I entered the every-6-weeks-photography-competition at my new camera club. The subject was b/w, following the talk we’d had. And … I WON! Utterly dumbfounded.
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That’s fantastic – well done! Was it with a photo you’ve shared here?
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No, and as it was a family picture, I won’t be posting it. But I was rather pleased with it and it responded well to being transposed into b/w.
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Great finds well-captured in monochrome.
But there’s probably a reason why they’re kept out of sight. 😊
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Noooo! I like them!
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I know exactly how some of those were feeling at the time! A great find.
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I feel like some of these far too often. Mainly when the news is on.
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I think the news should be banned!
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How great to see them close-up when normally you’d need a good pair of binoculars. What a spot of luck. I am quite envious.
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It pays to be nosy, I often find. I loved my little discovery.
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Ten out of ten for nosiness on this occasion.
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This must be a trait of stonemasons. I recently discovered that when St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Melbourne needed some gargoyles repaired the obviously left leaning stone mason crafted an ugly gargoyle of the then right wing State Premier. It seems that his joke backfired as it’s become something of public interest.
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It didn’t backfire at all, I’m guessing! Inspired!
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👏
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How great to see these in close-up. What a find.
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Yes, they cheered us up immensely: not that we needed cheering up.
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