The Rising
Fog, fog, glorious fog!!
What gets me so excited in photography? Fog! Why? Fog has a way of making ordinary subjects mysterious and mystical. It softens. It isolates. It simplifies. It brings the subject down toits essence. On a trip to Normandy, France in 2018, we were greeted with mist and fog as we approached our inn. The host apologized profusely for the weather as I reassured him that it was perfect. We were heading to the American Cemetery of WWII. The fog played with us all day creating interesting images in the cemetery and its stunning trees. However, as we returned to our inn,rounding a corner, this scene appeared. A church with its old, old cemetery loomed out of the fog lit by a spotlight from behind. The warm light of the spotlight glowed orange in the fog, with rays appearing as if they were God rays. The crosses further back were barely visible. Those close to me stood strong against the light. It felt as if the souls in the graves were rising to greet me. It was a “stop!” moment in the dark as Jim pulled over. No one was around. Just me, the church and the crosses – in a godly light. I look at this image when I need hope and faith that our world will eventually see the light.
Background Story
The American Cemetery in Colleville-sur- Mer, Normandy. Here lie 9,400 Americans who died during WWII's liberation of France. This is only one of numerous cemeteries holding the thousands of soldiers killed during the war.
Church Nôtre Dame de-l'Assomption was partially destroyed in WWII by direct naval combat and ground fighting (see poster). It has been rebuilt as you can see.
The spotlight cast shadows of the crosses on the walls of the church making for a wonderful composition incorporating one of the church's windows.
A Preview on a Wall
This image lends itself well to spaces for quiet and reflection such as in this placement. Think of reading spaces or a bath even.
Additional Ethereal Images from Normandy
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