St. Isaac's Cathedral Photo

Photographer’s Note

The dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg, and is one of the largest domes in the world. This is a shot of the interior of the cathedral, showing the wonderful decoration. This is the most beautiful building I've ever seen, with the interior just glowing from all of the gold. All of those painted figures you see on the walls are not actually painted, they are actually incredibly detailed mosaics. These mosaics even look like painting when viewed close up (3 meters) and it's only when you get very close that you can tell they are mosaic. St. Isaacs was constructed between 1818 and 1858, and luckily managed to survive the war (with a few still visable bomb marks on the exterior).

I like this view because of the curves of the arches and dome, the way they come together and then apart again. The original shot was quite a bit darker as it was shot hand held, but I lightened it up in PS. I could have made it even lighter, but the result was not true to what it really looks like there, so stuck with a more realistic view.

photofarm, Galmeida, caspita, dsidwell, john_c, jpages, Sterne, joseelias, jbweasle has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Galmeida (12559) 2005-06-19 10:40

Hello Alvin,
This picture took my attention because is also different of my work and also because is fantasic in a indoor scenery of a Cathedral. I like very much Stephen-Wilkingsongs in his appproach to this type of pictures. Here you have also a great composition with a great creative angle approach and capture. It's allways a very difficult shot that you managed in a fantastic way.

No words to tell more becase is a very well done composition in this area.

Best to you.
Fernando

caspita (395) 2005-06-19 11:16

Hello Alvin. Beautiful photo. The colours are brilliant. A wonderful work of art you have captured. The light rays accent the statue like figures. It really brings out the gold tone. Excellent composition. Thanks for posting it for us to see...

dsidwell (9739) 2005-06-19 11:24

Very lovely light and view captured here, Alvin. The square bit at left seems in the way, but the curves and special glow are very wonderful indeed!

MiKa2000 (2426) 2005-06-19 12:01

Magnifique endroit. La lumiere est superbe! Bravo

hdl (6723) 2005-06-19 12:03

Very good details and pov here. Like also the small rays of sun that are breaking throught the stained glass. Nice work.

photofarm (468) 2005-06-19 14:40

The sun beams play a decisive role in this image. The realistic effect of light is really nice and pov is perfect to makes us to see the magnificence of this Cathedral.
Thanks a lot for sharing!

Umberto

Fis2 (41264) 2005-06-19 17:09

Hi Alvin!
Your photo is interesting. I like the composition and light.Architecture is indeed a great area for photographers.Very impressive picture!
Regards
Krzy¶

lmazneh (0) 2005-06-19 20:39

AMAZING photo. This is what I also tried to make, though mine was overexposed. I love the composition. This is a very difficult picture to make, and you have managed to do it.
Greeting Lukman

john_c (24631) 2005-06-19 23:22

Great POV and composition, Alvin. The magnificent cathedral is indeed hard to portray in one photo. You did amazingly well with a handheld shot to capture such fine detail and colour. A most satisfying shot.

sylvie (1183) 2005-06-20 15:32

Beautiful photo Alvin, very good light, rich in details, excellent point of view and interesting notes.
Sylvie

jpages (1670) 2005-06-20 20:31

Perfect POV to capture these rays of the sunlight. This inside light of the Cathedral is very well captured, with a very good clear and sharpness. Good work Alvin.
I did one shot very similar from the Salamanca's Cathedral, but your light is better.
Best regards.
Jaume

supereira (9576) 2005-06-21 5:24

Beautiful shot.I like the composition and angle.Great details.I like the colors,light,textures and sharpness.I like it.Very good job!

banyanman (7691) 2005-06-22 11:25

Hi Alvin, I agree with what you say about this being a most beautiful building you. I took an almost identical shot when I was there last year, so I have posted a variation here which you might like to have a look at when you have time. Cheers . . . David

LCannon (2768) 2005-06-22 14:11

This is so grand and beautiful, all the glowing goldwork is so stunning. I think you captured the height of this dome, and I love the light rays shining in the upper windows. Very beautiful, amazing to me all the work involved, artwork, masonry work, and architectural work, stunning! Well done.

DLM (6447) 2005-06-22 19:55

Hi Alvin a beautiful image of a beautiful place fantastic colours highlighted by the natural light shining through.Great capture.
Dave.

joseelias (367) 2005-06-23 8:56

This is in fact an incredible church! The details and colors are outstanding. Also like the exposure control which is quite nice.

Regarding the framing, it’s in fact quite difficult to take photos in places like this and I think you did well. Still, I would like to see more of the column along the left side to balance it more. In fact one of my early posts is quite similar to this one and can exemplify better what I’m saying. :-)

http://pt.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Portugal/photo12965.htm

Sterne (2871) 2005-06-23 9:13

many beautiful details on this image. The rays of light adds has the atmosphere. I like the composition.

robiuk (10761) 2005-06-25 18:38

Hi Alvin,
What else can I say but ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!
Superb light, wonderful composition and inspiring atmosphere created by play of light and shadows.
Bravo!
Robi

sergecross (3438) 2005-06-26 14:20

Hi Alvin:
Nice art. The cathedral is great, and the composition , really is good because the colors combination looks very dramatic. Well Done!
Try to keep contact with me by writting critiques to me...
Sergio

jbweasle (9280) 2005-06-27 14:30

I always find it difficult to shoot interiors - usually the lighting is too low or too harsh. Some bits are exposed OK but the rest is in blackness or blown out. Well here you've shown me how to do it. Perfectly exposed all over, wonderful rays through the windows and great colours. Good note too.

j_wyatt (685) 2005-07-08 23:58

I've always wanted to go to Russia. It is on my list. Now if I could just find a way to convince my boss that we need to have our next winter meeting there my wish will come true. Great capture of the architechture. I love all the curves. I have a similar photo of a church in Florence Italy that I took in November 04. It isn't nearly as nice as yours but they do resemble each other in the domes and arches.

Lika (247) 2007-11-10 21:20

Very good shot!
Very lovely light!
Great POV and composition!
I like this Cathedral and nice City!
Thank for sharing!
Best regards!
lika