Winter at Versailles…

Posted: March 25, 2007 at 10:40 am by John

Versailles is definitely the height of grand excess. The main Chateau is enormous, the grounds are expansive, and even the secondary buildings are opulent.

But in the winter, Versailles is quieter and more personal. In contrast to the throngs of visitors we encountered last June, February tourists seem more reverent…or perhaps just muffled by heavy coats and wool hats. This Versailles is still glittering inside, but the rooms are more accessible, allowing us to spend more time envisioning the life of the occupants.

Outside, the ornamental gardens sit awaiting spring plantings. The famous fountains and Grand Canal are still. The sculptures stand covered–protected from the elements.

3 Comments for Winter at Versailles…

JamesF

Time for some stroking…

Of your ego of course (get your mind out of the gutter). There are some really nice shots here.

I particularly like the black and white shot with the people rowing. That and the darkened room with the chandeliers are probably my favorites of this bunch.

The composition of the columns, the single chandelier (first one) and the last one with the cherubs are also quite well done.

Matthias Treml

I agree with James. Those two are my favorites. JC is the versailles b+w one done with software or au naturel?

BullBunky

Matt, first let me note that I take all of my pictures in color and then turn them to b&w in Photoshop. There are a couple of reasons for that. First and foremost, its because taking the picture captures the most information in the image. Second (and related) is that by taking the picture in color, you can choose one of a few ways to convert to b&w by working with the various color channels.

Now, if you’re talking about the photo of the rowers on the Grand Canal, that was converted straight from color to b&w in Photoshop. The interior shot with the dark hallway and chandeliers is a color image of a b&w scene.