Tower of Bones
I respect others' beliefs but follow a secular lifestyle spending little thought beyond just the biology of death. I am, however, fascinated by bones and e...
Read more
I respect others' beliefs but follow a secular lifestyle spending little thought beyond just the biology of death. I am, however, fascinated by bones and especially how they can inform us about the life and death of individuals. That fascination led me to the Brno Ossuary where I was overwhelmed by the spectacle of walls and rooms and piles and columns of bones. Whether one views skulls as the ultimate symbol or the most obvious cliche of death, they are almost always instinctively striking.
Read less
Read less
Oct, 2016Views
898
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Anything Halloween Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Sad
Top Ranks
Top 10 rank
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 1
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the Brno Ossuary underneath the Church of St. James in the center of Brno, Czech Republic.Time
This shot was taken in the late afternoon, but it is indoors.Lighting
The Ossuary in underground so all the lighting is artificial and done in a relatively dramatic way to highlight the walls and columns of skulls and bones. Some sections are lit from below but this column was lit from above.Equipment
This was actually shot with a Nokia Lumia 1020 phone camera (freehand, no flash). I bought this phone specifically for the 41 MP camera that can shoot in RAW (.dng) format. A phone was perfect for this shot because I could hold it lower than I could get myself with a DSLR in front of my face.Inspiration
I think the subject speaks for itself! I'm fascinated by skulls and bones of all animals, including humans, and was awestruck by the spectacle of this ossuary. I could have stayed there and made images all day. I tried to find an interesting and unique way to capture some of the features and this was my favorite image of the day because it captures both the scale and scope of the walls and columns of bones but it also clearly shows and individual in the 'pile.'Editing
The original image is full color and longer dimensions so I cropped some off the top and bottom and somewhat reluctantly opted for this black and white version with only subtle tone adjustments.In my camera bag
I mostly shoot wildlife so normally carry just my 5D- now a mkIII- and one telephoto zoom lens, either Canon 100-400 L or Tamron 150-600. Most days I prefer to be light but sometimes carry my old 5D as back-up. When I'm out to shoot wildlife I don't even bother to carry a wide angle lens as my pocket Canon Powershot G9 and even my Lumia phone, which I used here, can both shoot raw files. I do sometimes use my Canon EF 24-70 L lens for landscapes and close-ups and love my Slik tripod, but rarely have the opportunity to use it. I also toy with a circular polarizer sometimes but otherwise avoid filters.Feedback
Always be thinking about different viewpoints. Shooting horizontally from eye level is how most of us see the world every day. Get high, get low, look up, look down- find something different.
