alan frost photography

Life and light in the stillness ….. feelings evoked by my local churchyard.

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For the past couple of years a large section of my local churchyard has been left to grow wild. Untended, the grasses grow, and will gradually die back, more so in this hot dry summer. They provide a habitat for insects, birds and possibly other wildlife as well. In early autumn the area is cleared and nature’s cycle will continue. Cut back, dormant, only to re-emerge and thrive again next spring.

Churchyards are places of peace and sanctuary which evoke many contrary emotions. They are there for those that have gone before us. The old headstones and crosses mark the lives of the many generations who were once alive and part of village life. In some cases the inscriptions are still visible but these are old stones, so more often than not the words of remembrance and the dates of the dearly departed have been worn away, eroded by the elements. I can only imagine the tales that are buried in the ground beneath my feet.

The other day I dusted off my tripod and gathered together my ND filters, and decided to try and capture how I felt about this place. On the one hand there is stillness. The age-ed gravestones no longer upright but weathered and leaning from the passage of time. Resilient to change, protected and to be respected. The gusting wind and sun would play their part. The grasses waving as the wind ebbed and flowed. Sunlight fleetingly disappearing behind thin cloud only to reappear a few moments later. Essential ingredients which helped me realise the images I had in mind. A mix of life, movement, light and death.

From a photographic point of view I enjoyed being alone for a few hours. Over two sessions I immersed myself in the scene as I discovered new compositions. Moving and adjusting the position of the tripod, swapping lenses and ND filters. Manually focusing and varying the camera’s settings to try and achieve the look I was after. Simply being creative.

I understand that for many people churchyards are sombre and melancholic places. I find it hard not to share these feelings. However there are also feelings of resilience, rebirth, remembrance, respect and ultimately love and hope as we contend with the challenges that are placed before us each and every day.

15 Responses to “Life and light in the stillness ….. feelings evoked by my local churchyard.”

  5. Ilze's avatar
    Ilze

    Where I’m from, we had the “old part” of the graveyard and the “new part.” I always preferred the old section—with its weathered headstones, timeworn crosses, and even a few marked by bullet holes from the war. It felt like history whispering through the silence.

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  6. Robert Parker's avatar
    Robert Parker

    I grew up near the town where “Spiritualism” (séances and spirit rappings, etc.) started up in the 1800s. Their literature always mentioned “ piercing the veil,” and I think these photos would be wonderful illustrations, with the very nice touch of clouding you’ve introduced. I really like these photos.

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  7. Sherry Snyder's avatar
    Sherry Snyder

    These are lovely Alan. Your church images always seem to express the feelings coming from your heart.

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