Abbaye de Ste. Foy, Conques (Aveyron)

Look at this image at the larger resolution and see the detail, including remnants of the paint

used to color the images originally and the extraordinary detail lower right of hell and its

pains. These sculptures were used to illustrate and educate, and in this case, to remind

pilgrims of the price of a life of sin. Extraordinary work. Feel free to compare with a couple

of others in the same folder.

Very good detail and tone work. How does the entire archway look? There seems to be potential by showing the whole linear, angular section contrasted with the circular archway.

... the posted shot was for the content of the tympanum of course, but here is a wide shot of the west face of the church itself. Note, I would normally shoot this with a tilt-shift lens so that it wouldn't have such perspective distortion, but didn't do so in this case. But it will give you an idea of what the wider shot might look like.

Indeed! Can you crop from the top of the upper arch along both rectangular "beams" and clone out the people in the lower right (or leave them in if you desire), and then change perspective?

This is a quick version of what you are talking about, I think. If so, I'll shoot it when I return this fall. The trick will be to preserve all the detail in the tympanum.

I was thinking all the way up to the top arch, but can work. I think this could make a great photo to compliment the posted one. Some curve work is needed.

.... think I understand what you were after now. How about this (rough) version, which I actually will shoot when I go back to Conques. By the way, ain't this fun?

Yes, it is.

Ok, this is what I was thinking. I did not change perspective; maybe when you shoot again you can take a straight on shot and get good perspective on the top. -- is that a bell?

.... Thanks. That is not a bell on the top, but I think a piece of statuary. The nice thing about this location is that it is one of the rare places that you can actually shoot DOWN into the church, since the whole place is built on the side of the hill. Here is a shot of the whole city and you can get an idea of what it is actually like to shoot there. This next trip I will be spending much more time shooting here.

Good details