Very often, when we travel across Europe, the tourist route
includes visits to unique historical sights - old churches, cathedrals, chapels
and other religious places, which are not only religious buildings, but also
the architectural values of the country.
A tourist is not always prepared to shoot a church or a
cathedral, such a photograph is often a unique challenge that requires the
express recommendations that we offer.
Do not scamper and show respect
Today, this is, indeed, the most important point associated
with photographing in churches - a calm display of respect. People come from
all over the world to get an idea of faith that has existed for more than two
thousand years. For many, these visits are part of a personal journey with deep
meaning.
Do everything you need to be respectful during your work.
Set the camera to silent mode. You will not hear a sharp
shutter click sound, as the camera will make a soft and practical silent
shutter release. Of course, the disadvantage of using this mode is that you
always need to carefully monitor the shutter speed - otherwise everything can
end with blurry images.
Prioritize the story, not the image, it is secondary. If someone
is praying, and you want to take a picture of the silhouettes in the window,
you should do everything possible so as not to disturb people. Become a real
invisible. Shoot from the hip or even further, leave free space for further
cropping.
Think over your settings.
Great churches are rather gloomy - to such an extent that
after trying all the ways to get the best exposure you can fail. There are
several settings that you should always remember!
High ISO value
Usually he is chosen with great indecision. But in places
with problematic lighting, such an ISO level is necessary if you want to get at
least some kind of image at all. Expect that you will need to work hard during
post-processing to reduce grit.
Slow shutter speed is your only option to create a decent
image in such an environment. And in most churches, the use of tripods is not
allowed, so of course, this means that you must either support your camera with
something to replace the tripod (and this is another challenge when you try to be
invisible), or exercise to hold the camera motionless during exposure 1/60 or
even 1/30 s.
Open the diaphragm wide as far as possible in order to let
the maximum amount of light into the camera’s photosensitive element.
The moment, filmed ... move on
If you do not have permission to take photographs, then you
have little chance that the church curators will be satisfied if you take a
picture for several minutes. Remember, you do not want to distract anyone.
Think carefully about what pictures you want to take before raising the camera.
Ask yourself what composition you want to see. From this,
properly configure the camera. Consider how to take this photo in the minimum
amount of time.
First find the light
Large open windows will be your first choice of location for
taking pictures. Find this particular light and take a picture using all
possible lighting.
Use corners
How can you bring perspective into a wide open area? Use
corners. Take your picture by crouching quickly or by lifting the camera in the
air and taking off, point the camera down. In addition, shoot between objects,
organize your photo in such a way that there are elements both in the
foreground and in the background to keep the image interesting.
Be thinking
Sometimes your state of mind can actually interfere with
your ability to create the “same” shot . Therefore, while you are in a church
or cathedral, just sit down or stand for a while, stay introspective. You may
be surprised at how much this inspires you.
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