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.

I originally shot this image on slide film. It had candles in the foreground and the crucifix in the background. I created this image while playing with the idea of Polaroid type 55 being a canvas instead of just a negative.

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.