Just a Little Sigh..., a photo from Maryland, South

Photographer's Note

Greetings.

I have been after a shot of this church fro quite a long time. Named Saint Peters Episcopal Church, she sits on Solomons Island in Maryland. On a very small stretch of land you have three different churches within a quarter mile of each other. This small white building is the most picturesque of the three...There in is the problem. This beautiful place is surrounded by wires (you might notice one on the right, it is part of the picture though) and right on the main street of this town. That means there are hordes of people during this time of year and you don't get too much of a chance to get an isolated shot. I determined long ago that you had to be right on top of the building to get any kind of shot, hence the tight frame and low POV. This closeness prevented any nonsense coming into the frame to disturb the somewhat contented looking visage of the church.
I see this as a send off to summer. It was one of the last days before we received our first minor cooldown with fall weather (low 70's f and rainy).
As I was taking these photos there was the little voice in my head (named Courtney, who happens to be my daughter) asking, "are you done yet...can we go home?". She prompts me to refine my abilities somewhat because she will only put up with so much "boring" time. I might add, she did quite well sticking by me for about one and a half hours before causing too much of a ruckus; that might have something to do with the icecream that I thought might delay the inevitable.
Regardless, this was a beautiful day that resulted in some pictures I, sorta', liked.
I imagine some lonely wives sitting in this church praying as their husbands went off into the Chesapeake Bay to make a living. Like any body of water, storms could rise up suddenly and cause quite a disaster among the working sailing ships...especially before modern weather forecasting. This Church has seen many changes in the line of her eyes and witnessed many lives and deaths. Yet she sits serene and quite accepting each person who wishes to enter. It is a noble thing...to just be there when someone needs a place to go.
So with that, summer proceeds into fall.

I heard a quote from Andres Segovia last night that I felt sums up the last days of summer for me. I hope I got it right because he had such a thick accent.

" The sigh said to the tongue, go search for words that say what I say."

Happy days, hope you like.

Chris.

sabyasachi1212, robertosalguero, francbois, Click3, getg3, syd1946, xuaxo, anjan, evanrizo, pablominto oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2006-08-31 23:27

Hi Chris,
This church of yours remind me of the recent hugely popular series by Pablo (pablominto). Beautiful soft light, great colours. The tree is perfectly placed to add the necessary contrast. Great note as usual.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

Click3 (1886) 2006-08-31 23:57

Chris...what a beautiful & moving photo: the Chapel is full of enchantment and history/captivating stories. Liked your note to further understand. The photo is of great stature with lovely POV, lighting, detail and background that highlights the main motif. Excelente ! Saludos desde Chile, Robert

robertosalguero (292) 2006-09-01 1:33

Look at the cloud on the blue sky? It looks awesome. Very nice compo Chris. I like your type of pictures depicting little churches. Very well captured image of this holy building :-)

Roberto

hay_kes (31439) 2006-09-01 2:49

Hi Chris,
Exellent Church picture.Very good sharp, details, colours and compo.Well done.
Regards.

hAyAti

oochappan (4880) 2006-09-01 4:36

The standing frame and compo is very good here to depict this small church in the midst of all the green with the warm light of the evening sun. I still think it would benefit to reduce a bit the red colorcast to bring more bright colors on the white church and the flowers, maybe to try this once out .... ?
greetings
Henk

blakitan (1311) 2006-09-01 5:33 [Comment]

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francbois (480) 2006-09-01 6:51

Hi Christopher,
There's a calling making us look in the same direction, as this church, from this church. I say this because the cosy little shack looks what a church should first and foremost: humane, and friendly. It seems to be hopefully glancing to the sky, the clouds overhanging fitting the sense, the longing. It seems to be raising its arms without the use of any arm or visual element looking like arms.
It's hard to figure why but the urge you felt to picture, or portrait it I understand; dully, but constantly.
Thanks for taking the pains you may have, regards, F'

getg3 (149) 2006-09-01 11:30

Chris,
Thanks for sharing this photo. It is a beautiful church. It's OK with tight composition for architecture avoiding distractions. I like the idea of using the foreground landscaping to frame the picture.
It's nice to know you and your family had a good fun day.
Cheers,
Richard

Budapestman (82620) 2006-09-01 13:06

Hi Christopher!
Beautiful and picturesque architecture photo! Wonderful mood and great harmony! Very nice details and expressive POV! Superb quality! Thank you, nice days
George

PJE (20758) 2006-09-01 20:59

Chris I find your comments on summer closing interesing indeed. What I like here is the low angled lighting on the church. Ideally I would have chosen a little more dramatic lighting angle. But like you said you are confined to the hydro wires that ruin the photo's peaceful setting. I for one still have lots of summer spunk inside me and have the itch to explore more outdoor ventures yet. I have to say its nice though to have a church that can provide stability to the troubled soul in tough times. Good work Chris...a nicely thought out capture!

syd1946 (1167) 2006-09-02 11:39

Hi Chris,
The title you choose fits nicely to your scene.Ecxellent close up shot with the backround givinig more points to your composition.Very good colors and light and perfect pov.Nice work my friend!

Have a nice weekend,
Thomas

xuaxo (6854) 2006-09-02 12:15

Hi Chris,
Nice church, with such a peaceful light.
In San Diego, California (I was there more than 6 months) I was amazed by so many different churches, both in architecture and denominations. I guess it's the same all over the USA. Here in Portugal most churches are Catholic.
Regards,
F

tabora (0) 2006-09-02 13:35

salut christophe,
On dirait que l'arbre sort de la petite chapelle,bel exemple d'architecture d'immeuuble en bois.
A+ Joseph

InasiaJones (31566) 2006-09-04 3:39

Hi Christopher,

Sure, looking at Notre-Dame de Paris or Milans Duomo cathedral is surely impressive, but what can convey more charm than this little church...

The light is simply beautiful and create great warm colors. Although you had some difficulties to find the right moment and angle, the result is absolutely lovely with picturesque garden and nice picket fence, beautiful tree and pure big blue sky as a background.

I share with you what youre describing, when you wish to shoot something interesting and a non-stop flow of people seems to plotted just to ruin your photographic moment... Ggggrrrrhhh! Photography is all about patience and... patience.

Well done Chris!

André

anjan (1086) 2006-09-04 6:57

SO nice a church Christpher and that also in such nice environ. Very nicely taken.
Anjan

evanrizo (462) 2006-09-04 16:15

A wounderful capture with this compo and contrast.Nice lightness too.
Thanks very mauch.

pablominto (53746) 2006-09-05 1:36

Hello Chris,
A lovely little church well framed!
Pleasant warm lighting adds to the mood, and I like the point of view also including the fine old tree as part of the background...
Well composed with strong foreground interest, good colours and details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

praefectus (131) 2006-09-16 12:43

I love this photo. Very good light and colours, the mood is also great!

turkamerikali (3291) 2006-10-10 12:31

Hi Chris,
Nice composition with nice littlke Church from MD.
I like your blue sky,pov,dof,colors,church details,flowers,lighting and frame.Well Done.TFS
Tolga

cam (9043) 2006-11-22 22:26

Hi Chris.
Stunning POV,it gives the impression that tha church is in fact a doll's house.
The use of the greenery in the foreground gives a progressive soaring elevation,up to the tree.
Very well done.
Charles

rickl69 (124) 2007-01-08 22:51

Being as how I have photographed this church many times myself, I know you are right on the money when you say this POV is the only one to catch this church without all the noise and clutter of the surrounding area. Im actually surprised you were able to catch this without standing in the middle of the street, but that 18-70 works well. The only little problem I have with this shot is the lighting seems a bit underexposed. Judging by the shadows on the side of the church, you were catching the evening sun, but maybe a bit longer exposure to bring out the colors. Two snaps up Bro!