Photo

As some of you may know, I am a part time photographer. I am not volunteering to take a photo of Penny, but the next visitor should bring one for Paul to see on the wall (and make them all bigger – and, if the medics agree, start putting stuff on the wall, so he can look at it: I feel that he needs stuff up there to keep his mind active).

Anyway, I am in the middle of taking a series of photos, involving movement, in cathedrals across Europe. I took this one in the Dom at Feldkirch, and feel that it sums up Paul’s current position.


A long exposure: the candles, which do not move, represent the constant light of hope - Paul can see them and understand that there is both a way forward and a destination (as indeed we can). The flared colours are from the stained glass windows, to which I temporarily turned the camera after shooting the candles. This represents the blur, a temporary flash of distraction, which Paul must sense as he makes his journey towards recovery. (Colour: he is not in a dark place.) He can see the light of the candles through the blur, a blur which will move out of the way, as he gets better… Finally I aimed the camera at the (darker) benches, whose space and firmness symbolise the love of so many who are supporting him.

William fforde 28th March 2009 (Date of visit 25th March)