Like most first-time visitors to Europe, I was astounded by the architectural artistry of the buildings and monuments I saw in London and Paris. The sheer magnitude, importance, and historical significance – not to mention sweeping beauty – of both cities was almost overwhelming.
How to take it all in? I finally settled on trying to capture as many images as I could without pausing to worry whether or not I could squeeze the entire structure of Notre Dame, for example, into one photograph. This meant focusing on scenery while also hurrying to get the shot (I kept my traveling companions waiting more than once often by lingering in odd places or halting in the middle of a busy crowd to take a picture. My husband generously played middle man between our hosts and me, making sure they paused while I caught up and also keeping me in sight so we didn’t separate into the throngs of tube passengers or street crowds.)
I became fascinated with small details. Doors, doorknobs, windows, postal boxes – all were, in one way or another, just as intriguing as the magnificent monuments that have been photographed millions of times by people more talented than I.
This post is a result of that mindset. I’ve edited it down to fourteen images. There are church doors, cathedral doors, castle doors, fashion-house-on-the-champs-d’elysees doors, restaurant doors, hotel doors, even one deceased Door. Somewhere in here is also an unintended, self-portrait-reflection-in-a-door.
I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Sunearthsky 
Great collection.
Thank you, rabirius. 🙂
Wow, Sharon, these HAD to be fun shooting. I have this vision in my mind of your co-tourists dragging you away kicking and screaming, wanting to get that one last shot, and your husband holding them back 😛 I’m being silly and joking, of course, but what finds! door-12a (with the peeling paint) and door-15 (with the matching window – I’m not sure what they call those, rounded but with the point at the top) especially resonate with me. You have quite the skill for composition, to capture the subject in a way that most others would overlook, as if I’m standing there looking at them, not the typical ‘rules’ based photography where everything ‘just’ looks pretty, but real, exceeding what is expected, if that makes sense …I mean all that in a very positive ‘good’ way… I’m often reluctant to comment, because I worry I will offend someone who knows ‘all the rules’ because of the way I say it… I like your photography, becasue it’s real, not hollywood perfect.. and there’s a lot to be said about how ‘perfection’ often leaves the pure broken…OK I’ll stop rambling now… extraordinary collection here, i’m watching my email for the next post 😛 thank you for sharing, I truly enjoyed these ~Scott
Hi Scott, thank you so much for the thoughtful, kind post! I’m thrilled that you found the images meaningful!! 🙂 Yes, they were a joy to take. It’s funny – I never set out to take a bunch of door photos but when I got home I realized I had so many, and then the Jim Morrison gravestone gave the Doors connection new meaning, so this post just seemed like a fun thing to do :-). As far as the rules stuff, I do think they’re helpful for a lot of people and probably second nature to professionals and serious amateurs. I think we tend to notice more when those rules are “broken” than when they’re followed, if that makes sense. Like a lot of things, to be really good at something is often to make it look easier than it really is. So I am happy with my imperfections and occasional rule breaking 🙂 because I’m still learning. I’m just excited beyond all getout about your post and keen eye! Thank you!
Brilliant post Sharon, what a great set and everyone of the truly wonderful 🙂
Nigel 🙂 thank you.
What a great idea! The 6th door (door-7.jpg) is my absolute favorite … an amazing picture!
Hi janxxgeist, and thank you 🙂 That’s one of my favorites, too! I love the combination of glass and metal on the door and how its echoed in the modern furniture inside the restaurant.