En route to stay with my cousin, Mark, we stopped at Tewkesbury and visited the Abbey, where there were opportunities for photographing the beautiful ceiling and stained glass windows.
Suddenly this scene presented itself as the elderly gentleman in front of me picked up two votive candles, lit one and was about to place it with the others. Only one chance for a shot: I quickly changed my settings and took it. He was totally oblivious.
And then he lit the second candle and went to place it too. Suddenly he was beating one sleeve with the other hand. And then I realised he had touched his anorak sleeve on a lit candle and it had caught fire.
I asked if he was OK and he said yes, not burnt as he quickly realised what had happened. He showed me quite a large hole, black around the edges in the material of his sleeve.
He left, saying this had never happened before from which I guess he regularly went to the Abbey to remember a family member or a friend.
I don't often say I am pleased with a photo as I feel it is for others to judge but I was very content with this one although the little episode was tinged with sadness for this lone gentleman.
Did he have another coat? Could he afford to buy another?
Interesting display of candles. Those long ones on the metal holders look rather like an accident waiting to happen. Odd that there are many of those and, it seems only a single small glass votive one.
Oh gosh, what a thing to happen! Last time I was in Tewkesbury Abbey, I was attending a family funeral. Amazing building. This is a poignant shot, especially given your story
It was rather strange that there only seemed to be tall votive candles available. An employee, who seemed to be walking around checking, commented to me that there were a lot alight that day and that he was in the habit of moving them to the back of the 'display' as much as he could.
Lighting a candle is always a very personal thing....thinking of someone or something you are worried about....it’s quite dark so it’s hard to see whose there.
Carole, thanks for the comment. Well I do like my work and take huge pride in it but saying so just seems like boasting to me! I never put a photo on that I am not 100% happy with. I don't know if you find the same but often my fav photos of my own are not the favs of other people and vice versa?!
Many thanks for your interesting responses, and favs. It's a photo I would not often have the chance to take and I was careful of this gent's privacy (I could not really see his face and he is almost reduced to the reflection of the votive on his hand) but pleased to capture the flickering votives and the light.
Ooh! I like this, Hazel. Interesting that we take opposite positions regarding judging ones own images. My opinion of mine is mostly what matters to me though I do find it interesting if one that I think is not up to the mark proves to be popular! I would be very pleased with myself if i had taken this shot! Fav
David, thank you. I was very happy with this especially as I had only one chance and it is not my usual 'type' of shot. I think we actually have the same position regarding judging one's own work - I just don't want to say so!
July 10th, 2019
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Bep, thank you. Although I had nothing to do with the gent’s sleeve catching fire I somehow felt a bit guilty, as well as sorry!
It was rather strange that there only seemed to be tall votive candles available. An employee, who seemed to be walking around checking, commented to me that there were a lot alight that day and that he was in the habit of moving them to the back of the 'display' as much as he could.
Carole, thanks for the comment. Well I do like my work and take huge pride in it but saying so just seems like boasting to me! I never put a photo on that I am not 100% happy with. I don't know if you find the same but often my fav photos of my own are not the favs of other people and vice versa?!
Many thanks for your interesting responses, and favs. It's a photo I would not often have the chance to take and I was careful of this gent's privacy (I could not really see his face and he is almost reduced to the reflection of the votive on his hand) but pleased to capture the flickering votives and the light.
David, thank you. I was very happy with this especially as I had only one chance and it is not my usual 'type' of shot. I think we actually have the same position regarding judging one's own work - I just don't want to say so!