• Wells cathedral and the history of photography

In the early days of photography, the photographer Frederick Evans took a famous photograph of a flight of steps leading to the chapter house, 'A sea of steps' (1903).

His focus was on texture, and he needed a particular medium, platinum. A flight of worn steps, which gives a sense of expectation, is an appropriate subject.

photohistory on Evans

Also see the Grove Dictionary of Art.

On the platinum print, see the Victoria and Albert Museum. /Schools and students /Schools and teachers / Teachers' resources / Resource boxes / Photography / Processes and techniques

• Present-day views of Wells cathedral