Who Needs Stained Glass.....? Photo

Photographer’s Note

There are only two churches in the total of USA’s National Parks and they are both in Grand Teton National Park. This is the Chapel of the Transfiguration, built from logs in 1925, and owned and operated by St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson. It was specifically built for the window to frame the Cathedral Group of mountains from the Teton range.

After our sunrise outing we arrived here about 8:30 am. There was a sign outside saying “Wedding”, so we thought we would not be allowed in. However the wedding party had not arrived yet so they let us in to take photos. It was very dark inside. I could have combined two exposures but I prefer it like this.

Image of the exterior in the WS.

There is a tradition among some members to post an image of a church on Sundays. I’ve never participated before, but I’m due another post and this was going to be my next one anyway, so here’s my Sunday “Papagolfade”, affectionately referring to Philippe, papagolf21 who started the tradition several years ago.

ISO100, FL32mm,

saylan-cb, cbrman, snunney, riclopes, josepmarin, pauloog, Gerrit, jlbrthnn, alvaraalto, Royaldevon, UlfE, Photo65Net, stego, Wandering_Dan, sleon, fulvio52, delic, gneufeld, gunbud, shevchenko, plimrn, bakes888, rodgerg, Emile, Kielia, JCG, Cricri, ChrisJ, syrus_persia, danos, Docarmo, Sistercosmo, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saylan-cb (12726) 2008-12-14 3:18

Hi Kath,
Superb image!Great compositions,wonderful colours and good frame.
Excellent work!
Have a nice sunday.

pedru (1649) 2008-12-14 3:22

bonjour
une tres belle photo
tres belle lumiere
merci pour le partage
a+

cbrman (19051) 2008-12-14 3:34

Hello Kath,

Une vue particulièrement bien composée.
J'aime beaucoup le double cadre créé par la fenêtre. Les montagnes d'arrière plan se découpent magnifiquement de cet avant plan sombre. La croix semble bénir ces montagnes.
Bravo !
A+

Dominique

snunney (35464) 2008-12-14 3:35

Hello Kath,
An interesting and unusual 'papagolfade'. The exposure well managed to produce a fine image combining the sombre tones of the church interior with the wonderful exterior view. Very good colours and clarity.

riclopes (33135) 2008-12-14 3:57

Excellent idea, Kath. I'm honored to see this entry of yours in the theme (just added). As you know it's one of my favorite pictures of your travelogue and problably the best one in the theme ;-) Two combined exposures would ruin this beautiful light touching gently the top surfaces in FG. The framing is simply gorgeous and the title says it all (very good choice btw) - this is the best natural stained glass one could wish for in a church. The WS is also a great complementar picture - I'm thinking if it was possible to place the cross against the sky instead of the mountain range.
ricardo

[2] +

josepmarin (34099) 2008-12-14 4:07

Hello Kath,
This window with the wonderful sight of the Teton Range works as a natural altar of a great beauty.
Your way of centring the framing with the silhouettes of the cross and of the altar on cross-light increases the nice visual impact of the landscape in background.
I like very much also the photo of the exterior of the chapel in your WS, it might be perfectly the main post.
A great work.
Best wishes,
Josep

[2]

TopGeo (22213) 2008-12-14 4:39

Hi Kath! Impressive view and composition with the interior of temple that has POV and frame perfect! Image ideal excellent work,ws and note.
Georgios

dta (6107) 2008-12-14 5:08

Hello Kath ,
A superb composition ! i like a lot the dark cross and frame , and the wonderful mountain landscape viewed through this window .
Very well done .
Bravo
Denis

pauloog (6905) 2008-12-14 6:34

Hello Kath,
Well framed unusual view, with light well managed. And interesting too.
Regards,
Paul

Gerrit (36269) 2008-12-14 6:39

Hi Kath.
A church with a view is quite exceptional. And what a view they got here. It must be hard to turn inside like this I guess.
Beautiful photo,
Regards, Gerrit

jlbrthnn (38927) 2008-12-14 6:48

Hello Kath,
Superb! , indeed, not need for stained glasses which would mask this superb landscape. This sumptuous mountain, I suppose, suggest with faithful the power of Divine and the beauty of his work. In any case, this alleviating spectacle. Congratulations for this image and also for the ws.
Have a nice sunday
Cordially
Joël

alvaraalto (5303) 2008-12-14 7:02

Hi Kath,

What a surprising difference between this impressive interior (although dominated by the view outside) and the exterior. I did expect some modern building.
I never noticed the tradition of posting a church on Sunday, although I’m a great admirer of Philippe.
Never too old to learn something.

Groet Rob

Royaldevon (5944) 2008-12-14 8:05

Oh, this sent a shiver down my back when I saw it! Images do have power, or they convey power. This cross, with outstretched arms, is surveying and caring for all it sees!

I love how you have captured the dimly lit interior and combined it with the bright, sunny exterior without compromising either!
Lovely sharp details throughout!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

UlfE (9168) 2008-12-14 8:29

Hi Kath,

Wow, what a superb shot. The composition is absloutely perfect. Light management is marvelous. I love how you have captures the cloth of the altar(?), the vases, the self of the window and the cross in silhouette. The DOF is also amazing. TFS and have a nice Sunday evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

Photo65Net (43096) 2008-12-14 9:13

Hello Kath,
Superb compo here !
I like too how you controlled exposure, a great and so pleasant one.
Have a nice day,
JB.

stego (22448) 2008-12-14 10:19

Hi Kath,

Indeed, there is no need of stained glass with such stunning view. The dark interior makes a wonderful frame to the view of the mountains and the forest, beautifully bathed by that warm sun light. The cross combines well with the lines and shapes of the BG. The level of exposure in the interior is just right, I think that if there was more detail, the things inside would deviate our attention from the outside. The darkness is what makes those glows on the surfaces and vases so beautiful.

As usual, I also like the WS very much, although it hasn't the magic atmosphere of the main post. You managed to avoid the absolute centrality and use the profile of the mountains to aid framing the chapel. Maybe the less achieved thing is that the cross doesn't stand out - read my reply to what you wrote to Ricardo.

Regards, José.

Wandering_Dan (3293) 2008-12-14 11:13

Hi, Kath -

Great use of technique to merge the two exposures together; it really shows off the light and shadows well; the altar almost looks like it's reflecting the skyline! And a great composition, too.

I also like the WS, though I like this one better; this one is art. Also, in the WS the cross on top of the church is a little hard to distinguish from the background. Just a nit.

Best,
Dan

fayeulle (26547) 2008-12-14 11:38

Hi Kath
What a stunning church! When the landscape is such beautiful, it's a great idea to use large windows looking forward the mountains. Very good management of the light!
Cheers
JP

sleon (9352) 2008-12-14 11:47

Hi Kath
What a church with a view! I love the framing, and the exposure works fine, with the light providing enough detail on the glass vases and table surface. Good contribution to the Sunday tradition.
Best regards, Susanna

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-12-14 12:23

Hi, Kath.
Superb natural framing of a world-famous mountain landscape and masterful job in terms of light management. Absolutely flawless, whichever way you wanna look at it. Glad you went for the single exposure, I'm the furthest you can possibly get from photographic fundamentalism and I love to experiment myself, but in my opinion photography is all about light & dark and forthcoming contrast in ONE exposure. The WS? Another beauty, could've been a main post too, easy as pie. Have a nice evening. I'll see you soon.
Fulvio.

gilou530 (35680) 2008-12-14 12:38

salut kath
c'est sur qu'avec une vue pareille de la fenetre on a pas envie de rentrer au pays, une belle symétrie dans ce cadrageavec la croix bien au centre; belle couleurs
amitiés
gilbert

delic (6735) 2008-12-14 13:37

What an evocative photograph, Kath. While I'm not into organized religion, climbing mountains does ignite certain emotions. Beautifully crafted picture, and ..., do I see a tripod up there? Cheers!
Hakan

andante (7092) 2008-12-14 15:49

With that view??? I'd be inspired to come to mass every sunday... TFS,
E

gneufeld (15235) 2008-12-14 18:30

Hi Kath,
This is a compelling image with the large cross taking a prominent place in view of the Teton's in the background. Technically I find your image almost perfect with just enough information in the foreground to present the church details while properly exposing the exterior elements. Very well seen and TFS. Gerald

gunbud (28161) 2008-12-14 19:03

Hi Kath,
Wow! what a beautiful backdrop for this simple altar to sit against.
The dark window frame works particularly well conatrasting brilliantly with the vivid blue sky and grey jagged peaks.
This is a very imaginative shot that is very tastefully framed.
Regards, Tom

Angshu (34099) 2008-12-14 19:48

Hello Kath
The frame within frame works superbly here. The cross is placed bang in the centre, in silhouette contrasting with the mountain ranges in the BG. Fine handling of light here. Good work!
Best Regards
Angshu

shevchenko (10072) 2008-12-14 20:38

Hello Kath,
Good pov to make a frame for outdoor view, good lighting between bright and dim area, nice wooden church show in WS, thanks for sharing.
Ally

plimrn (19710) 2008-12-14 21:47

Hi Kath,
Stunning framing!! I think it's very effective to have the inside in near silhouette. Amazing what wonderful detail and color you captured through the glass!! Kudos to those folks who decided to substitute the mountains for stained glass.

I'm guessing that the other NP church is in Yosemite since I got married there.
HLJ, Pat

bakes888 (18353) 2008-12-14 23:13

Hi Kath. With a view like that I wonder how much attention the preacher gets ;-). I think there plenty from inside the church to give a sense of place. Nice handling of light, good detail also. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good week, Paul.

Graal (58720) 2008-12-14 23:14

Hi Kath,
mazing image good idea and realization. Great landscape in BG. Well informations and WS. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

danyy (69447) 2008-12-14 23:22

Bonjour Kath,
un contre jour vraiment réussi, qui débouche sur une vue magnifique de ces montagnes impressionnantes, les lumières de l'avant plan ont été sacrifiées au bénéfice de celle de l'arrière plan, le genre de photo qu'un bracketting et HDR associé, améliorent fortement.
Regards.
Daniel.

rodgerg (24973) 2008-12-15 4:22

Hello Kath,

A very nice landscape of mountains with a perfect balance.
A very orginal and very good framing, a god idea and a true succesfull!
Congratulations,
Have a good week,
Roger

John_F_Kennedy (31994) 2008-12-15 5:52

Wonderful picture, with beautiful framing and mountains in the background. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Emile (20125) 2008-12-15 6:08

Hola Kath.
Excellent composition, the interior of the church creates a peaceful and mystic atmosphere that produces a nice contrast with the beautiful and colorful landscape that includes the famous lighted mountains of the park and the blue sky. I don't think you need combined two exposures here. Superb work and your WS is also a very good shot with the church and a wider view of the mountains.
TFS.
Best wishes.

Dyerco (9302) 2008-12-15 8:56

Hi Kath
Very nicely done indeed. You are right. No stained glass required. Nicely exposed for the outdoor scene.
Phil

Kielia (8733) 2008-12-15 9:48

Hi Kath,
your title is outstanding! And the composition is a papagolfade per excellence since I have never seen such a church before. You have captured the wonderful light excellently. Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

JCG (25749) 2008-12-15 10:23

Hi Kath,

With such an external landscape I think that it is useless to put stained glasses at this splendid vault which we can appreciate in WS and who resembles a kind of country cottage… Very beautiful management of the light which emphasizes well this cross on the furnace bridge in back-light. Beautiful and interesting photograph, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

Cricri (43738) 2008-12-15 12:44

Hi Kath
Un contre jour trés réussi avec une en effet trés belle sur les montagnes, j'aime beaucoup aussi celle en WS qui aurait mérité aussi un post principal
Friendship
cricri

ChrisJ (70443) 2008-12-15 16:08

Hi Kath

Good colour & composition. Some slight oversharpening of the cross? Excellent graphism, though, with wonderful backlight of the blue skylight on the altar. Tfs!

coco (28122) 2008-12-16 1:23

Then, maybe I have some Papagolfade and I had no idea about that.

Hi Kath.

This chapel doesn't look a church, but not only it's a church: also it's a lovely place.

I love very much both pictures. Both are very different, but both look great.

Well done.

syrus_persia (2222) 2008-12-16 2:40

Salam Kath
Great compositions,The DOF is also amazing.
wonderful colours and good frame.
Bravo
cyrus

danos (33272) 2008-12-16 5:25

Hello Kath,
but i like more this one from the other in the WS.Clever your idea to use the window frame with the cross in the middle to be against the landscape.The dark interior in contrast with the vivid landscape make the scene unique.Well done.

Have a nice afternoon,Danos

Docarmo (8846) 2008-12-16 9:02

Hi Kath,
Indeed, stained glass not needed! With such a view! The outlines obtained by the lighting in the dark inside are fantastic because they are elegantly subtle and strongly effective to give an excellent depth, even before we arrive at the outside landscape. Vertical elements inside play a kind of duet with mountais outside. Bravo!!!
MCV
I hope you are completely recovered. Photography is sometimes a dangerous hobby!

Sistercosmo (2689) 2008-12-16 14:09

Hi Kath,
your photo gives me a weird feeling! I like this composition, but it's so intimate, so personal, like a nagging reminder to stop for a moment to think about death and life and faith.
And exactly that is what I think makes a photo special - not just (as you've done) technically well captured but also emotionally touching.
Great job, Kath!!
Thanks,
Linda

robiuk (10763) 2008-12-18 11:04

Huh - impressive, Kath!
Is that just a window frame or a real window with the
framed glass (I mean, like any other window?)
I really like this one - it's powerful.
Robi

Bluejeans (33049) 2008-12-24 2:20

Ola Kath,
Que bela composição com esta cruz em primeiro plano e de fundo uma paisagem maravilhosa , ficou bonito o topo das árvores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom Natal

xuaxo (5835) 2008-12-24 12:05

Outstanding view and an amazing place. Very good idea.
Furthermore, a very good photo. I like it dark inside.
F.