photographic WWI battlefield trip

[gparsons]

Me and a couple f photographer friends are embarking on a longweekend photographic trip (we are all photographers). We are basing ourselves in Lille and then heading out each day. This is probably a big ask, but we are looking for some hidden or realively unknown sites that are photogenic. Some of you probably have secret sites to visit, that you like to keep secret and I respect that, but if anyone has any reccomendations of some great places to take unusual or interesting pictures I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks

Gavin

[Michelle Young]

I would say have a look at the 15 sector, not the prettiest but sometimes the light can be amazing. The Indian Monument at Neuve Chapelle, Le Touret Memorial and Dud Corner at Loos all offer great architecture and good angles to get some great photos. There are some lovely quiet cemeteries off the beaten track around there too.

Michelle

[Ghazala]

The Somme... Crucifix Corner between Bazentin Le Grande and Bazentin Le Petite.. It still has the original crucifix that was there in 1916.

[gparsons]

Excellent advice, thanks guys

[Seadog]

I never really understood just whether a purely photographic trip anywhere to record any subject is possible without first having a pretty good idea of exactly what you are looking at. In respect of the western front this will in simple terms cover all those sites that we all visit but in my view the skill is to try and capture images which portray the effect of landscape on the conflict and the feelings we all share whilst walking these areas, a much more difficult trick to bring off successfully. Here is one of mine which I do not hold out as an example of that just a place which is of interest to me.

Regards

Norman

[Dragon]

To a point that depends on the terrain. The Vosges - also part of the Western Front - is a fantastically rewarding area for photographs; the combination of light, landscape, secrecy, stillness and weather creates wonderful opportunities for atmospheric, brooding pictures. You can feel as if you're the first person ever to discover a site or a vestige and somehow you have to try and capture that amazement. I have some knowledge about what happened, but I think only a local inhabitant could approach anything like a comprehensive knowledge of how events tied into a mountain landscape, especially understanding individual units.

For me the way it often operates is that I find a photo and I try to capture something of the mystery I feel, then when I come home I try to fill in the background and piece together the story. I find if I go somewhere with the intention of locating a specific piece of history, it may not be the actual destination but the surprises along the way which produce the greatest excitement. I find that the element of unexpected discovery often produces the most charged photos.

Gwyn

[Seadog]

I agree Gwyn and everyone will have their own idea as to what is an interesting photo to them. What I think I am saying is that some of the most interesting images I have seen are those depicting the topography of where specific actions occurred such as, the Blankshiree emerged from this place to attack that place etc. In order to do this it is necessary to have an understanding of just where and what happened but if you are lucky such images can be very personally rewarding. There is of course a place for images of the war cemeteries in any portfolio but to concentrate on such subjects would miss out the wider story of the conflict. We are all of us bombarded with images on a daily basis so it is rare to see those which deserve more that a cursory glance. In my opinion the excellent modern photos in this book do warrent viewing.

Norman

[Ghazala]

I find photographs like this very poignant

[bruce]

Just a few random thoughts....

Dartmoor Trench CWGC.....Father and Son buried next to each other

The Nissan Hut just along from Essex Trench....the continuing cost of the war to the Belgians.

Anywhere inside Delville Wood

The Chapel in the roof at Talbot House

Bruce

[Marilyne]

I don't think it's the place that will do it... it's your view of the place, even if it's a "classic". Have fun and I do hope we'll see the results !! MM

[dsms]

Have to whole heartedly agree with Marilyne. For sure its not the place but what you make of it and how interpret it that counts. Time and conditions can make or break, right time and right light you onto a winner when they are not.....

Enjoy your trip and may the light be with you.