Above: Wingham, Kent
This churchyard contained many headstones with the skull and crossbones carvings which I can’t say I’ve seen in many other places. Click on the photos below for more information.
Cee has taken over the Black and White Challenge and as there is no ‘which way’ this week I thought I’d upload some photos of churches / graveyards which would have been the next topic from Sonel’s Corner.
Join in the challenge with the topic of “My Favourite Things”
I love old graveyards, and like to try to find the oldest burial date! The skull and crossbones look suitably chilling, though I have seen this before, I think in the old Nunhead Cemetery, in South London. Great stuff Jude. regards, Pete. x
Well there are plenty for you to browse through in Norfolk Pete! Though I didn’t come across any more skull and crossbones. I think the London cemeteries would be very interesting to search through, I’m a bit miffed that I didn’t go into London more when I had the opportunity.
J xx
It’s never too late Jude! Kensal Green alone is worth a day trip. It is huge, and interesting too. You could combine it with a visit to the Neasden Hindu Temple, a real marvel, not far from Central London. Perhaps factor in a quick trip to Marx’s grave in Highgate too? Regards as always, Pete. x
Such wonderful black and white photos. You get the honor of being the first to submit to this challenge!!
Thanks Cee. You didn’t specify a topic for this week did you? If so I’ll have to have another go 🙂
Funny, I was photographing headstones in a local cemetery at the weekend, but they’re a long way from being my favourite thing. 🙂
Yes, but Cee had got in first with some lovely flower portraits which probably ARE my favourite things. I do find churches and headstones fascinating though.
I love the cemetery in black and white. I like your date picture a lot. 🙂
Thanks Cathy, not the oldest date in the cemetery but the sharpest for converting to B&W. I like ‘grabbing’ bits from the headstones – the date, decoration, interesting inscription.
That gives me a great idea for next time I go to a cemetery, Jude. I love learning from other photographers!
That’s why we share – although everyone is so nice it’s perhaps not the right platform for learning how to improve one’s own work. But for generating ideas it definitely does work!
I think the sharing definitely helps us generate ideas, Jude, and I love that expansion of creativity. For me personally, I really need to learn to think outside the box. 🙂
Pirate graves?
Nice thought, but I believe it is just a symbol of death and mortality and quite common on early graves up until the First World War. Apparently known pirates were hung and not given graves or headstones.
Like your images, especially your composition of the Countisbury gravestones. I, too am fascinated by gravestones, especially really old and possibly abandoned cemeteries – Nunhead is well worth a visit.
Thanks Sue. We have an old one here in Ludlow which is like a nature park, I love popping in there to take photos and see the rabbits 🙂
Those look scary and dramatic at the same time..
Dramatic yes, but somehow they never seem scary in such peaceful places. However, at night…
🙂