- Lauren Curtis 35mm Film & Digital Photography (c)1990-2008

Kutna Hora Christ Altar

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:30:03 CST

The main reason I visited Prague in late 2006 was to go to Kutna Hora's Bone Ossuary Church. This is one of the most Gothic sites I have ever seen! Constructed several hundred years ago, the inside of this small structure is decorated entirely with human bones! The church was said to contain sacred earth therefore so many people wanted to be buried there that the only way to make room was to embed the walls with bones! This non-manipulated digital photo shows the central altar of Christ. You can see the pattern of skulls lining the walls by the archway.

New Orleans Street Musicians

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:36 CST

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world! No place has it's mystical, magical feel, and the people are so creative and friendly! This shot was taken in 1998, obviously before the tragedy of Katrina. You could always find musicians, street performers, tarot readers and just plain fascinating folks linking the streets of the French Quarter. I only hope that this amazing city will soon be restored to it's former glory!

Salem Bluetree#1

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:35 CST

Salem, MA is an historic town that hold mystery and magic. The Witches have certainly re-claimed this town in their name, after all the atrocities done several hundred years ago. This digital photo, which I "painted" in Photoshop was taken in the main cemetery. There is one, huge, ominous tree standing proudly in the center of the graveyard, protecting the tilting tombstones.

Nightprayer

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:35 CST

As a fan of cemeteries, I'm lucky to live by quite a few old and interesting ones. This praying Mary statue shot was taken in a Russian cemetery where large sculptures make it seem more like an art gallery than a graveyard! This was actually shot with my digital camera in broad daylight but I enhanced it in Photoshop to give a nighttime, eerie effect.

Budapest: Danube View

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:33 CST

The Danube, running through Budapest, looks as it must have hundreds of years ago. I felt this photo captured that almost timeless look of this historical area, and has an "old-time" postcard type of feel. Buda & Pest are connected by several majestic bridges and this image was taken standing on one of the highest points in the city.

Budapest: Column View

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:32 CST

Recently I traveled to the beautiful city (well, cities) of Budapest. One of my favorite sites was the ornate Parliament building, which sits regally on the banks of the Danube. This shot was taken looking out between 2 columns located at the Budapest Castle. I loved how the columns framed the architecture across the river.

Bamboo Abstract 1

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:36:17 CDT

This shot is inside a bamboo forest in NJ. There were NO special lenses or flashes used...the lighting appears because of the way the sun was shining through the stalks in the dense patch of bamboo.

Prague Bird

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:35:29 CDT

I stumbled on this bizarre sculpture while walking down a narrow alley-way in Prague. It appears to be watching over or guarding the caffeteria behind it!

Prgue Mannequin

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:35:29 CDT

I lucked out with this one! Just as I was shooting the Gothic statue on the famous Charles Bridge in Prague, the person carrying the mannequin happened to stroll by. This is one time I was happy someone walked through my shot!

Charles Bridge Birds 2

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:35:29 CDT

Saegulls caught in flight over the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic.

SanFran Series 1(Palace of the Fine Arts)

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:35:29 CDT

The Palace of the Fine Arts in San Francisco made me feel like I was transported from California to ancient Rome. The detailed carvings and terracotta coloration of these structures gave them an even more ancient appearance.

Louis1 Cemetery (New Orleans)

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:35:29 CDT

New Orleans is an amazing, magickal city...there is no where else like it! The famous cemeteries are a major tourist attraction, but once inside, they demand respect and have a mysterious, spiritual presence. The decaying stone and sculptures just enhances this.

Rootree

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:12:16 CDT

This up-rooted tree has the look of a knarled old woman or wrinkled, boney hand reaching up from the earth.

Cemetrees

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:12:16 CDT

One of my favorite way to get "happy accidents" with photography is to take in-camera double exposures. This line of wintery trees was shot twice on the same roll to give this collaged effect.

San Fran Night

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:12:15 CDT

This image was a pleasant suprise! I didn't realize what a strong gothic effect this shot would have. The backlighting by the dusk behind the church on this San Francisco street really gives it an ominous appearance.

Amsterdam Night

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:12:13 CDT

This is my favorite shot that I took on my trip to Amsterdam. It really captures the romance of the canals, especially at night. You can see a glimpse of one of the houseboats docked on the water.