Sweetbriar Dreams

So where shall we go on our journey today?

Wednesday 16 November 2016

A Night at Peterborough Cathedral

Last month, Peterborough Cathedral held a competition evening for amateur photographers to come along and capture the Cathedral in candlelight.  This magnificent building is stunning during the day let alone the evening, so I went along to capture different angles that I don't usually have time to do.  To share time with other photographers (all very quiet and concentrating hard) was incredibly enjoyable.


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The above shot would have been my entry!  Old Scarlett through the choir stalls and their candles.  The Tudor gravedigger who buried three queens, Queen Katharine of Aragon, Mary Queen of Scots and his wife.  However, with the problems I was having with my viewfinder eye at the time, I didn't realise there was another photographer looking my way.  A shame, but with a bit of editing he isn't as noticeable.

The shadows that the light cast were a delight to capture, even better with photographer shadows too.

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The ceilings of the Cathedral, in fact any Cathedral, are captured thousands of times per day.  Their intricate designs created by steady hands on high scaffolding towers.  I love capturing closer objects that make you look beyond, like this exquisite gate leading into the High Altar and one of the ceilings of the Cathedral.

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And then further along through a screen.


The High Altar floor has had some restorations lately and I stumbled across a photo I took in the past which Google very kindly edited for me.  It shows the experts working tirelessly on the tessarae floor. (Click on the image to enlarge this)


Of course, we can't come to this Cathedral without visiting King Henry VIII's first wife, Katharine of Aragon's tomb.  Adorned with pomegranates and of course a candle to light the way.


Outside the quiet passageways by the side of the Cathedral.  Can you imagine all the centuries (nine of them so far) of people walking through here?  The fashions, the wars, the careful whispers (especially during Henry VIII and Elizabeth I's time).  My mind goes into overtime whenever I am alone in and around here.


Out into the Cloisters, the rain was falling (I love this saying... "that fine rain, you know the type that wets you through"), but weather never bothers me so I continued to try and capture something different.  For now, I just wanted to capture the building with the added bonus of a moving Miss Teen.


The rain was so fine that it danced around the chimney pots of a precinct building.


Back inside, it was heartwarming to see so many photographers with their different angles and equipment from smart phones, hand sized cameras, right up to the big boys.  


My camera is a bridge camera (Fujifilm Finepix HS50 EXR).  I'm proud of this fella and how it will pick things up (apart from that pesky photographer in my first shot!), and for now I see no need to change.  One day though, once photography courses have been conquered I may just have to make the decision between Canon or Nikon.

A beautiful and productive evening and the following day, a beautiful sunset on this wonderful building through the lens of my other camera... a Samsung S6.


Have a lovely week capturing moments both night and day.

38 comments:

  1. What a beautiful idea the competition!
    Pictures are wonderful!
    Love

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    1. Thank you. I loved that the Cathedral had opened it up to all ages and all sizes of camera. Great idea!

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  2. I've never been in a cathedral at night that I can recall - but after seeing these lovely photos Chel I would love to plan something such as that. It's hard to get good indoor nighttime shots though isn't it - no matter your equipment. I've now passed my Canon 7D on to my granddaughter, it's just too big, bulky and heavy with those lenses (especially when traveling with weight restrictions, and for my old arms etc.), plus I have much more fun with a smaller camera and think my photos are good enough for what I need them for.
    Glad you had such a good time that evening.

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    1. It was lovely Mary. Very atmospheric and picking up things that I hadn't seen before. Night time photography is a lot more testing, but so glad I managed some shots that I could use for the blog. With my camera, I just love the zoom it comes with so I can focus in on something but I do agree that the weight can be a bit troublesome sometimes.

      Take care my friend xx

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    1. It really was lovely and I can't wait to attempt this again!

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  4. Stunning pictures, it is certainly a beautiful cathedral.

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    1. It really is a fantastic place and well worth a visit!

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  5. How incredibly beautiful. Wonderful shots Chel.

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    1. Thank you Andrea. I'm so glad that some actually came out without too much blur!

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  6. Beautiful captures and great eye!

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    1. Thanks Ellen, my eye only let me down once with Old Scarlett :D

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  7. An evening just to take photos of this gorgeous cathedral would be a wonderful outing! You take some wonderful shots. I have a mirrorless camera, a Panasonic Lumix that has changeable lenses, but isn't as heavy as a full DSLR. I debated about getting one of those, but they are so heavy around my neck and I know I wouldn't take it out on any hikes. I'm very happy with this camera.

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    1. The heavy ones are ok when you first go out with them, but after a few minutes you start to feel it :D We all have our favourites don't we? and I know that if I got one of the big boys, I'd look back at my current camera and feel guilty!!

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  8. I love your photo of Old Scarlett. It's been a while since I went to Peterborough, though my Dad was born there, so we went quite often when I was a kid. Maybe it's time for a revisit.

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    1. I'd recommend it, along with visiting the new Heritage Centre which allows you to see into the Knights Chamber along with interactive displays. The tower tours are also breathtaking but do this in the spring or summer.

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  9. Some wonderful shots there, Chel - you can certainly take them. I struggle with my interior shots! I haven't made it to Peterborough Cathedral yet, but I'm inspired whenever I see your photos of it.

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    1. Thanks Mike, but your shots on your blog put mine to shame! Missed you by a couple of weeks with old Tommy at Seaham!!

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  10. Lovely atmospheric shots. We tried a Nikon that we still prefer the bridge cameras.

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    1. They certainly are easier with the bonus of manual if you need it.

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  11. You have such unbelievable architecture there to photograph. I am so jealous!
    Brenda

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    1. It really is lovely to immerse yourself into Brenda. Almost 900 years old!!

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  12. So atmospheric, a bit spooky in fact but what fabulous photos.

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    1. Yes, a little spooky, so I was grateful for so many others around me :D

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  13. What a bunch of fascinating photos! The candlelight photo shoot was a brilliant idea!

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    1. It really was a wonderful idea, and one that I hope they repeat next year :D

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  14. Wow! Fantastic photos. There is just something so intriguing to me about pictures taken at night. These are awesome! xo Diana

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    1. Thank you Diana. Night time photography is something that I would like to do more of. Things look so different in the reduced light, which I love xx

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  15. As always, you make me want to visit and see these places in person! Love nighttime shots. Something so magical about them! You captured the rain perfectly!

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    1. Thanks Cecilia. I was so lucky with the rain shot! Luckily the rain was blowing away from my camera otherwise the lens would have been rather soggy :D

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  16. What a beautiful place to spend an evening. Gorgeous pictures.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. It's stunning through the day too Kris!! Take care xx

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  17. These are beautiful photos and I can't see the other photographer in the first shot.

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  18. Oh, wow! These are breathtaking! You're so lucky to live in proximity to so many incredible historical sites and take part in neat events like this. I love seeing your adventures!

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  19. How lovely Chel, an amazing experience visiting the place softly lit. I do like the first photo!

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  20. Amazing!! What a great event for you.

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  21. I'm so very charmed by your shots, darling Chel, this place is truly stunning and talking about so ancient times, I love it !

    Hope you're having the best of weeks,
    I'm sending blessings of joy on your days to come

    Xx Dany

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