
- Mary and Christ window in Montmartre, originally uploaded by Ted Drake.
- Uploaded to Flickr: 30th July, 2006
The tombs in the Montmartre Cemetery are filled with small altars and still life presentations. Many of them are like this photograph. A composition of Mary and Jesus, celebrating the Catholic roots of the French people.
Other tombs may have more familial arrangements with photographs and favorite objects. Some include flowers, while others have greco statuary.
I am fascinated by the play of light, color, and objects within these tombs. While most people will look at the outside structure and the name upon the plot, the real interest lies within.
I believe this was shot on a Nikon N90 with Agfa Scala 200 on a 35-80 zoom lens.

- notredame-cross-candles, originally uploaded by Ted Drake.
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- This image was created in the darkroom. I projected a slide from inside Notre Dame onto a Polaroid type 55 negative. This is actually a double exposure as the crucifix and candles were in two separate areas of the original slide. I then processed the negative as usual.
- Uploaded to Flickr: 26th November, 2005
I love the native framing element of Polaroid film. Combine that with the unique surface textures, range of values, and the ability to manipulate and I’m a happy camper. I’ve since used this technique of projecting slides onto Polaroid film to create other images.
I created a second negative to modify by hand. I’m not one for Photoshop tricks as I need to get my hands dirty. I attacked this second negative with paint, sharp objects, xerox transfers and more.
The globe-like head on Christ has always intrigued me. In the original image, you can see that it is a plaque behind his head. However, this is obscured in the Polaroid version.

- Three tombs in Montmartre, originally uploaded by Ted Drake.
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- Uploaded to Flickr: 19th January, 2006
This photo was taken with a lensbaby and t-max 100 with a Nikon n80.