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Passing through the cloisters of Chichester Cathedral this afternoon the sun was filtering through the arches and I decided to make use of it for some contrasty monochrome photography, catching some of the visitors moving by with a slow shutter speed.
Photos taken 18 July 2024
During a fleeting visit to Chichester in June I had time to return to the Cathedral, a place I used to see on a daily basis when I worked in the school here. The sun was creating some lovely effects, painting the building with pools of light - just the sort of illumination I love!
This shaft of sunlight was shortlived - after a couple of minutes the sun had moved around and it had vanished.
Photos taken 20 June 2024
When we arrived in Valetta, Malta’s capital city, the sun was shining, although the storm clouds on the horizon suggested this would change soon…. That wasn’t going to stop us visiting St John’s Co-Cathedral though - and what a riot of ornamentation and colour it is!
So many details to see…
Perhaps the most ornate pulpit I’ve ever seen!
A spiral staircase led us up to see the arched ceiling from a closer perspective.
A spot of drama along the corridor to the stairs…
From the Cathedral we wandered down to the harbour to visit the fort which has played such an important role in Malta’s defence over the centuries. I wasn’t moved to take many photos in the museum, but the chapel was enchanting.
After lunch the weather broke and we were treated to an apocalyptic thunderstorm - real Hollywood special effects rain. I caught this view across the harbour between heavy bouts of rain and just before we got absolutely drowned by a downpour!
Photos taken 22 November 2023
Kevin visited Malta with his family as a child and the dome at Mosta was one of the places he clearly remembered seeing while he was there.
We began by climbing the steeps stairs up to the dome, where you can see the world beyond the cathedral square, as well as getting closer to the internal structure.
This is the third largest unsupported dome in the world and one we almost lost. In April 1942 a German bomb pierced the dome, but miraculously failed to explode. The bomb was disposed of at sea, but there’s a similar one on display in the shop.
Looking down into the centre of the nave.
I had to stitch lots of photos together to create this panorama, but it gives an idea of the scale of this amazing building.
The dome was definitely the star of the show for me and I took so many photos. It would be fascinating to spend a day here, watching the path of the sun across its interior…
Walking back down from the dome I was enchanted by the spiral staircase, which seemed best captured in monochrome.
Below the church is the crypt, which is equally atmospheric. I wonder what all these pipes are intended for?
Such soft but dramatic light.
Back outside, I spent some time exploring the lines of the huge stone columns.
Photos taken 20 November 2023
A couple days after my visit to Trinity College I did some more exploring around Dublin, starting off at Christ Church Cathedral. A decade ago I visited St Patrick’s Cathedral, so it was great to compare the two and I wasn’t disappointed - so many wonderful lines and details to photograph.
A vertiginous view of the Cathedral’s vaulting.
Photos taken 23 October 2023
Every so often I get the opportunity to visit an unfamiliar Cathedral, although I’ve been to so many this happens less frequently these days. Back in July my work took me to the midlands so this was the excuse I needed to visit Lichfield Cathedral for the first time.
Things began rather inauspiciously. As I walked towards the Cathedral I realised they’d erected a swathe of scaffolding around the spire. Not a wonderful sight, but it was raining and the skies were leaden so my chances of taking beautiful photos of the exterior were always going to be limited. As I walked towards the west door I was met by the Dean - what a lovely welcome. Sadly not - he was there to greet an incoming funeral! Although I was invited to sit and admire the nave during the service I politely declined and went in search of a cuppa.
An hour later I returned. The funeral party had departed and I pretty much had Lichfield Cathedral to myself - that’s exactly what I had hoped for! I spent a couple of hours exploring every corner of the building, looking sweeping architectural shots and smaller details too.
In the choir I sat quietly on a step, aiming my camera beneath the rope which closed the area off to the public. One of the vergers spotted me and asked if I’d like to go inside - an offer I wasn’t going to turn down! This is the photo I was taking at the time, but being allowed inside the choir gave me opportunities I’d otherwise have missed and I was grateful for the verger’s kindness.
Behind the high altar I discovered this wonderful crown hanging from the vaulting. I suspect the candles are electric rather than wax, but that doesn’t detract from the design.
The beautiful arched stained glass window in the north transept.
And yet more arches from around the Cathedral…
Photos taken 18 July 2023
Having explored St Mary Redcliffe fully I then wandered along the dockside to Bristol Cathedral, arriving as the light was just beginning to fade.
Rather than swapping lenses, here I chose to shoot with one lens which made me search for images which would work well at around 50mm. I may not have a comprehensive gallery of the Cathedral as a result, but I find this technique makes me look in a different way.
One of the interesting characters I found in the Elder Lady Chapel.
I’m fascinated by the animals I find at the feet of effigies on tombs. I’d love to know if there’s a reason why some have dogs, as here, while others have lions or other creatures.
Looking back into the choir.
The cloisters were particularly atmospheric, especially as the light began to fade.
A dramatically lit corner of the Norman Chapter House.
Photos taken 17 February 2023
Some weeks ago I read about the work of the late photographer Peter Marlow, whose exhibition ‘The English Cathedral’ is now touring the UK. He visited 42 Cathedrals at dawn, making a photo facing east towards the altar, using a large format film camera. This was a sight I couldn’t miss, so my friend Peter and I visited St Paul’s Cathedral last week to see his photos and perhaps make our own photographic record of this dramatic building. The exhibition was wonderful, although it made us realise how few of our ancient Cathedrals have architecture which is truly symmetrical and properly aligned! Given the challenges of building a Cathedral today, never mind several centuries ago, that perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise but seeing these structures together, all photographed in the same way makes it more evident.
After we’d explore Peter Marlow’s photos we spent the afternoon exploring St Paul’s with our cameras, searching for interesting photographic compositions. Ironically, we didn’t actually take any photos looking east like Marlow did!
Sir Christopher Wren’s wonderful geometric staircase, as seen in the Harry Potter and Paddington films.
Photos taken 23 January 2023
When we visited Coventry Cathedral at the end of September I just didn’t feel inspired. The Cathedral is wonderful but maybe it was the dreary, grey weather, but something just didn’t click for me. I downloaded my photos, took a brief look through them, and left them there. Something inspired me to return to them this week and I was surprised to find a handful which felt worthy of a second look.
The leaden skies over the old Cathedral ruins didn’t offer any inspiration at all, so the photos I took there aren’t great, but it gives me an excuse to go back again on a better day. I’m sure on a sunnier day the stained glass would really sing and these two are just a hint at what might have been.
Photos taken 30 September 2022
One of my favourite cathedrals is Wells and I never pass up an opportunity to visit if I’m nearby. In July I had some work in Bath so I sneaked in an extra day to visit this wonderful building.
I divided my time here between digital photography and some pinhole work too, but I’ll stick to my precise digital images in this post.
Looking up at the cathedral’s organ through those magnificent scissor arches.
Photos taken 1 July 2022
