Palace of Versailles: How to Easily Take Photos With Meaning
Angel statue at Versailles in Paris depicted against a deep blue sky.
Your photos can be so much more than mere visual records of the things you photograph. Here’s how I go about embedding meaning into the photos I make.
The Palace of Versailles is an incredible place to visit. History and those who shaped it, like Louis XIV, are embedded in the very fabric of Versailles. By paying attention to the rich history of Versailles your photos will move beyond documentation to explore symbolism, message and meaning.
Looking for Meaning At Versailles
Versailles is an amazing place. The lavish palace, much of it functioning as a museum, and the grand, structured gardens can easily keep you busy for a full day.
I particularly liked the hard-edged starkness of the above statue and how it contrasted with the smoothness of the blue sky and the more whimsical nature of the surrounding clouds.
The warm/cool color contrast in the photo further adds to the separation between statue and sky and, in a way, helps to both visually and metaphorically ground the statue.
One possible reading, that might follow, is that the angel is now earthbound.
Symbolism, Message and Meaning in Photos
And what about the relevance of the statue's gaze towards the wreath? What might this suggest?
Loss
Memory
Sorrow
Making photos that move beyond documentation and explore symbolism, message or metaphor to bring meaning to the photos you make is at the heart of the artist’s journey.
I encourage you to investigate such connections, whenever you can, in your own photography.
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Photography Is About Making Something Out Of Nothing
My visit to Versailles was on a very warm summer's day during peak tourist season.
I can tell you that the heat and the crowds made photography difficult and, by the end of the day, I felt like I’d really earned my photos.
The queue, just to get into the joint, was long and slow moving.
After about 45 minutes I got through the gate, sunburned, and made the mistake of following the crowd towards the museum section of the palace.
Once inside the door I was immediately herded up the stairs where the massive crowd moved me, very slowly, along the long corridor to view the wonderful art on display.
Magnificent chandelier and ornate ceiling murals at the Palace of Versailles, France.
I made a few photos along the way, but it was tough going.
I’ve been to India and China on numerous occasions over the years, but I don’t think I’ve experienced a more crowded, claustrophobic experience than I did that day at Versailles.
In desperation, I pointed my camera up towards the ceiling to avoid including any people in the next photo I made.
As you can see, while not a perfect composition, it worked out okay as the ceilings of Versailles are richly decorated.
Interior architectural view of the spectacular Palace of Versailles, France.
Patience Is Rewarded, But Only If You’re Quick
I was very happy to make the interior image directly above. I waited for a good 10 minutes until the scene was empty of people, during which time I made my camera ready to make the photo.
I’d say there was about a 3-second window of opportunity during which time I made the above image. After that a whole new stream of tourists poured past me and into the space.
I made a few more photos amongst the madness until, just when I thought I was done for, I found an exit door and got the heck out of there.
One day I'II return, out of season, in the hope of experiencing the Palace Of Versailles in relative peace and quiet.
I expect that may have to be in the middle of winter, but it might just be worth it.
Statue, depicted in a state of repose, in the grounds of Versailles.
Finding Solitude At The Home Of The Sun King
Once outside, and along with hundreds of other people, I checked out the main fountains at Versailles.
Fortunately, as the fountains are so large, I was able to find a space where I could make a few photos without being jostled in the way I had been inside the palace.
The fountains are very nice, but the crowds and the very bright light made making interesting images difficult.
In this case I employed a polarizing filter to reduce reflections off the surface of the statue and water, and to add a greater sense of shape to the clouds by darkening the already blue sky.
Statue and wreath in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, France.
Fortunately, after walking for a few minutes, I was able to lose myself along the myriad of pathways snaking their way through the huge, green gardens in front of the palace.
By doing so I was able to find lots of nooks and crannies, far enough away from other tourists, where I was able to make photos in peace.
Once again, a polarizing filter helped reduce reflection off the surface of this particular statue, allowing me to render as much fine detail in the photo as possible.
Most of the leafy background was in dark shade and, as a result of reflected light reaching the shadows from the blue sky above, the color of the green leaves was cold and unappealing.
Rendering the image into black-and-white solved that problem and concentrated attention on the statue.
Statue depicting King Louis XIV, the Sun King, Palace of Versailles, France.
Make What It Is You Photograph Your Own
I love this statue of King Louis XIV that I discovered displayed in a niche in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
In this particular likeness Louis appears confident and relaxed, and seems to be dressed like a Roman solider.
This is, no doubt, a means by which Louis’s image as a strong and capable military leader was promoted to his subjects.
It was a fun photo to make, and I remember just how much I loved the warm color palette and soft, luminous light within the scene.
I also appreciated the graphic lines above the statue’s head, symbolizing the sun’s rays and the fact that the Sun King was the figure depicted in this beautiful statue in the grounds of Versailles.
The self-titled Sun King, Louis XIV, is regarded as a symbol of the Age of Absolutism in Europe. He reigned for over 72 years, being the longest rule of any sovereign monarch in history.
His desire for military expansion, and the wars that resulted, inflicting ongoing hardship upon the French people.
Most notable was the Sun King’s enforcement of the uniformity of religion, under the Catholic Church, in France.
At the same time, Louis took action to discourage the French Protestant community.
King Louis XIV died, at the age of 76, from senile gangrene on September 1, 1715.
Of course meaning does not exist solely with the artist or the patron commissioning such artwork.
It also exists with the viewer and, in the case of public art that’s been repurposed through photography, new interpretations are also possible.
By photographing the statues in this post my own artistic concerns become part of the final image.
As always, I hope to influence the viewer towards a deeper interpretation of what they perceive in my photos and in the world around them.
I've long been captivated by statues, religious or otherwise.
Other than the quality of craftsmanship, I think I'm particularly drawn to the metaphor and symbolism that’s often explored in statues.
The most compelling statues I’ve seen are embedded with human drama and emotion. And that’s particularly true when those statues are of angels.
If you want to explore this concept further, check out my post titled How to Photograph Angel Statues for more information.
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Are You A Picture Maker Or A Picture Taker?
As I write it occurs to me that, like a photograph, a statue represents a moment in time.
I’d also say that, just like a photograph, a statue presents a kind of reality. One that has been created by its maker.
Photographers, as creative beings, are makers too.
To that end, it might be worthwhile asking yourself whether the photos you make are part of a much larger process of creation.
Are you adding to our world, and our understanding of it, through the photos you make?
Alternatively, are your photos more about taking something from the world for yourself?
Words are important. Words have power. And I’m not at all happy with the frequency with which most folks use the following words in relation to the photos they make.
Take
Capture
Shoot
Personally, I prefer to replace those words, as often as I can, in the following ways:
Take becomes Make
Capture or Shoot becomes Create
Every time I use the words make or create I’m reminded of the positive, life-affirming nature of my photos and the way I approach my photography.
To understand more about this concept, please take a look at the blog post I wrote titled Basic Photography Vocabulary: Why I Hate These 3 Ugly Words.
The words take and shoot just don’t sit well with the mission of this website and blog to heal our world, one photo at a time.
Far more than semantics, I prefer to use the words make and create because they underpin the reasons why I make photos in the first place.
If you haven’t visited Versailles I hope you’ll get the chance to do so one day.
Of course, as Versailles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris, you can also expect lots of other visitors will be joining you there.
If, like me, you find the Palace of Versailles to be particularly crowded, do what you can to manage the situation inside and make sure you leave enough time for a long and thorough exploration of the extensive gardens at Versailles.
Really, they’re quite spectacular.
