The Scenes Not To Be Missed When Shooting Gothic
The world is full of beautiful Gothic cathedrals and buildings that dot the landscape. Most of the architecture is focused on buildings of great height. These buildings are made constructed from heavy stones but they defy the law of gravity. Ribbed vaults, pointed arches and flying buttresses, these are common traits of gothic buildings.
Gothic Buildings for Shooting
There are so many worthy architectures to choose from for gothic photography. Imagine standing beside a wonderful cathedral wearing one of the best Gothic dresses. Having these cathedrals in the background will make the photos even more picturesque.
If you can’t decide the location, choose from these buildings:
1.Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is a great example of Italian Gothic. Arnolfo di Cambio worked on this Florence cathedral. When it was constructed in 1367, the building was covered in colored marble. It gave the impression of old Baptistery however, the façade remained unfished. It was given a new appearance in the late 19th century.
in the late 19th century. The church has 3 naves each divided by large pillars. The complex inside the Piazza del Duomo has a Baptistery and Campanile. These 3 buildings are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. They are a popular tourist attraction in Tuscany as well. It’s the largest brick dome ever constructed in the world.
Moving on to its interior, it’s vast; giving an empty impression. It is said the bareness of the church corresponds with the religious life. Since this cathedral was built from public funds, most of the art in the church honors military leaders and illustrious men of Florence.
2.Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris or simply Notre-Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris. This cathedral is among the finest French Gothic architectures. The use of rib vault, flying buttress, gigantic colorful rose windows, and sculptural decoration – all these qualities set it apart from the Romanesque style. Its large church bells make it stand out.
Notre Dame Cathedral contains cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. It is known for its lent sermons as well. It is home to several noteworthy examples of Gothic baroque.
This Cathedral is the church of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is covered with sculptures that illustrate biblical stories. The towers are made from significant perfection. You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of having a gothic shoot outside this magnificent architecture. The most delightful part of the cathedral is stained glass windows. The original glass in these windows no longer remains. They were recreated in the 19th century.
3.Saint-Denis Church
It’s a large medieval abbey church located in Saint-Denis. This city is now a northern suburb of Paris. Grab some jewelry, clothes and accessories from the gothic shop and visit Saint-Denis Church for a remarkable view for your gothic photography.
It’s the first building to use all elements of Gothic architecture. Initially, it was constructed as Gallo Roman Cemetery. The people who were buried there had mix Christian and pre-Christian beliefs. Some of the archaeological remains still lie underneath the cathedral.
This building is the prototype for the Rayonnant Gothic style. You will find a repetition of decorative motifs in the design at different scales. It is the first truly Gothic building. This cathedral is also known as Basilica of St Denis. It became a church in 1966.
The choir at sunset, the axial chapel of the virgin, clerestory windows, the pipe organ, these are some of the must-see art.
4.Notre Dame Cathedral of Montreal
Also known as Notre-Dame Basilica, its church located in Notre-Dame Street West, Canada. This church is considered as the masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Its vaults are colored in blue decorated with golden stars. If you want to have a gothic shooting here, the best time is sunset. The view is just beautiful.
You will also find azures, red, purple, and silver in the building’s architecture. There are tons of intricate wooden carvings within the exterior. The stained glass windows along the sanctuary’s walls have scenes from the religious history of Montreal.
The basilica is open for the public for choral and organ performances. You will have the chance to get a memorable photo inside the cathedral as well. Make sure you are wearing a gothic choker and other gothic jewelry to capture perfect pictures.
My Favorite Gothic Building - Cologne Cathedral
One of my favorite gothic buildings is the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. It’s a well-known monument of German Catholicism and it’s a fine piece of gothic architecture. The building has exceptional intrinsic value and I love it for its artistic masterpieces.
The cathedral covers almost 8,000 square meters of floor space. The amazing stained-glass windows, its impressive Gothic architecture and the beautifully built shrine of the Three Wise Men are a few things about this architecture that I value.
The building is a hallmark of the city and a cathedral is an important place of pilgrimage in Europe. The two large towers dominate the skyline of the city. It’s not just beautiful on the inside, it’s beautiful on the outside as well. The church has the 3rd largest interior in the world. The design resembles that of the Amiens cathedral. The clerestory windows are tall and beautiful. This cathedral is a gothic treasure indeed. A person like me who is in love with gothic architecture wouldn’t want to miss capturing wonderful photos of this building.
Watch Crimson Peak for Gothic Sneak Peek
Hollywood is playing a positive role in depicting Gothic culture, architecture and costumes very well. The movie Crimson Peak is a great example of that. It’s an American Gothic romantic horror movie. The architectural background in the movie is inspired by Gothic cathedrals and buildings. Even the costume and gothic clothing for women worn by characters in the movie are perfectly gothic. If you are a gothic fan and haven’t watched this movie yet, I recommend you do it. Although the film was produced in Toronto, you won’t even recognize the location.
Wear a gothic choker and start shooting at these locations. You will be mesmerized by the beauty just like I me.