Caption This...

Look lively, lads. The recruiters for Cirque Du Soleil are in town!

One last entry featuring Notre Dame and then we'll move on to other sites in Paris. Caption this week's photo, please.

Last week's photo caption winner is Maya, who wrote, "All those years of art education and this is the best job I could get?" The runner up was Cele, who suggested something about the painting and accessorizing the scarf the young lady was wearing. To see last week's photo and caption, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Buttress

Flying buttresses--a Notre Dame original--hold up the high walls of this Gothic cathedral : Paris, FR

According to Wikipedia, Notre Dame was one of "the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports)." Apparently, the original building didn't call for this feature, but stress fractures began appearing in the walls as the building grew in height. Arched exterior supports were added to hold up the walls and this eventually become a pattern in this type of Gothic architecture. Load bearing columns also assist in holding up the high ceilings that make this type of architectural style so lofty and awe-inspiring. This picture was taken from the back of the building and you can just see them peeking out above the tree line, holding up the apse of this grand cathedral.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Our Lady of Paris

Exalted : Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris : Paris, FR

As mentioned yesterday, the last time I was in Paris, the bulk of my interior shots of the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris were abysmal and a disappointment. I had a few gems here and there, but for the most part, my photos were a total wash. This time, however, I had better results.

Light a Candle for Peace and for Our Lady : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

Here are a few shots from inside this grand cathedral. Building on the cathedral started in 1163 and finished in 1345. For someone from the U.S., that's long before Europeans ever even considered sailing across the ocean and settling in the New World. The oldest thing we have in America is the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia and it's only 400 years old!

Stained Glass Beauty : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

To see more interior shots of Notre Dame, visit my Picasa Web Albums.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

The Bells! The Bells!

Gargoyle on Notre Dame with the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in the background : Paris, FR

The last time I was in Paris, I was shooting with my little point-and-shoot Canon. I didn't have my tripod with me, so my photos of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris) turned out less than optimal. In fact, they were downright crap. This time around, I had my new Nikon and my tripod, so my photos of Notre Dame turned out considerably better and my faith in my ability to shoot the interiors of cavernous cathedrals was restored. This time around, I also took the stairs to the top of the cathedral and enjoyed some fantastic views of Paris. Go to my Picasa Web Albums to see more gargoyles and flying buttresses. Come back tomorrow and see my interior shots.

Gargoyle on Notre Dame with the Eiffel Tower in the background : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Back in the Groove

H : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

Somewhere back a few weeks ago, I lost my mojo.

Chandelier Detail : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

Sure, there's lots of great stuff to photograph in these parts and I have piles of pictures, but I'm not liking many of them and I feel a bit limited by my equipment. It's a great little camera I have that's turned out some good results and all, but after two and a half years I keep feeling the itch to upgrade.

Niches : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

Anyway--that's neither here nor there right now. The point is, here are a few more pictures from Notre Dame.

Mother : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

I think this is the last of the Notre Dame batch, which means if I can sustain my blog posting beyond today, I'll be back tomorrow with photos from the bus tour we took all over the city of Paris!

Supplication : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

Here's hoping...

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 07/09

Open II

Open II : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

Just another window in Notre Dame. And another dead guy. Lots of dead guys here!

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09

Notre-Dame Detail II

Note the detail in the carvings of the robes: exquisite!

More shots of the exterior of Notre Dame. I could spend days photographing this cathedral and never get it all. I highly recommend clicking on this image to enlarge it. Note the detail carved into the robes of the priests. Unbelievable skill and craftsmanship went into this building that is just awe-inspiring!

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09

Open

Open Contemplation : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

Just another photo from inside Notre Dame Cathedral. I can't remember whose crypt this was. I was more interested in the open, stained-glass window than in finding out who the dead guy was.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09

Notre-Dame Detail

Niche : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

I have a bazillion pictures of Notre Dame. These two are the first of many you'll likely see over the next week or so. I just liked these in particular for the detail they show.

Ironwork on Door : Notre Dame : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09

Two Things Challenge: Star / Appeal

Appeal to your (spiritual) star : Notre Dame Cathedral : Paris, FR

This week's Two Things Challenge is Star / Appeal. For this, I chose a photo I took in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Seemed appropriate.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09