Variations on a theme II.

Colin suggested that we post images of common subjects from the Stirling Cemetery, and here's my somewhat belated response on the topic. 

To be honest, the two subjects he selected are both ones that I photographed but I can't really say that I did anything brilliant with either one. (I was far more interested in the nearby pyramidal Rock of Ages memorial.)

Regardless, here is my take on the Black Panther Angel and the Like-Minded Sisters.

Of the two, I'm least pleased with my shots of the Black Panther Angel - a description which inexplicably puzzled Colin.  Given that Colin is far more a child of the 60s than I am, I would think that the following pose would make the connection obvious.  In fact, it's an odd pose for an angel, when you think about it. And is it me or does she only have four fingers?

I do wonder how the Angel lost half her star, which seems a sad fate for an angel.

The Like-Minded Sisters offered a more interesting subject - virgins under glass, as it were.

I refer the curious reader to the plaque on the casement:

I'm intrigued as to the tale behind Margaret and Agnes, virgin martyrs of the ocean waves - or wave.  Why does Margaret take precedence in virginity and martyrdom?  Is it based on age?  Is "impearled" a bad aquatic pun or a typographical error?  How was their martyrdom achieved?  I assume it took place at the same time, and that the two figures with the angel represent the sisters in question, with the lamb at their feet as a symbol of innocence.  And, somewhat unusual for a memorial - what was their last name?

In this case (no pun intended), I can offer little in terms of variety from Colin's approach: putting statues under glass can limit a photographer's choices purely on the basis of reflection.

- Sid

Variations on a theme

At Stirling Cemetery there were many graves and stones that were iconic or striking or both and Sid and I photographed them individually. What I mean by 'individually' is that each of us wandered around taking photographs but, and I believe it's part of the Campbell Plested Agreement, we made a point of not shadowing each other or trying to take their shot. But sometimes we did shoot the same thing.

I thought it might be interesting to show the images that were produced.

Here are the subjects.

 The first, and close to the wall of the cliff and castle itself, is this angel.



The second, in a different part of the cemetery, is this enclosed memorial.

Because the subject matter seemed to call out for it I did a black and white conversion of the first image (you've seen lots of that sort of thing in this blog).

And this is the detail of the face.

For the enclosed grouping on the other memorial I took this group shot.

Colin

Old Town Cemetery, Stirling

We know of no sweeter cemetery in all of our wanderings than that of Stirling.

William Wordsworth

Old Town Cemetery with Stirling Castle in the background.

I found that there were two names for this cemetery, one was Valley Cemetery and the other was Old Town Cemetery. The latter name was defined as the area between the Church of the Holy Rude (founded in 1129 and just to the right and behind me out of the shot) and the castle. If I'm not very much mistaken that cluster of buildings and fortifications at the top of the photograph is the aforementioned castle. It may be that the cemetery itself, which is quite extensive, may be divided into two differently named sections.

Rock and Stone

When I looked again at this image I felt that the whole thing was a bit tilted. I could have straightened it but decided that I liked the dynamic so I left it as it was.

James Renwick and company

I also liked the stone outcroppings in combination with the monuments.

I'm sure in other postings we'll be revisiting this site.

Colin