Need advice for shooting at National Cathedral

[Mountaineer-American]

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I am going to Washington National Cathedral for 2 days' shooting. Any advice anyone can give would be appreciated. Film? Is flash allowed? Lenses? Thanks very much.

[Walt Calahan]

Here's my take on the National Cathedral (don't use a flash):

 

Turn up your sound for this:

 

Meditation

 

And the Labyrinth Photo Essay on this web page:

 

Meditations & Readings

[holmes]

This will sound a little whimp, but when it comes to church buildings in Washington DC, I will always get the OK from a church official or the heave-ho from a church official. There is a great deal of paranoia running around DC. I've always found it better to ask, and see if there are objections shooting from the choir loft. Several places I would recommend are: Lincoln's memorial. If you go there try and find someone who doesn't look like they would run with you Leica. Position your self directly in front of Abe and you will see just how small you are compared to his statue. Next, the most popular and most simple, The Vietnam War Wall, 58,000+KIA, The Korean War memorial, the figures are incredibly life like. Then you have the 3 G.I.s, followed by the American nurses from Vietnam. I' ve seen them all. Have fellow soldiers I worked with inscribed on the Wall. Good Luck.

[Walt Calahan]

DC thrives on paranoia, so watch out for the National Park Service officials around the memorials if you are going to photograph any of the Mall monuments. If you use a tripod on the Mall you'll need a permit.

 

Don't think you'll have a lot of problems at the Cathedral is you don't use a tripod. The docents are use to tourist taking pictures and these grand ladies don't know a Leica from a point-n-shoot. There are areas where you'll need permission for access, so then you'll need to contact the Bishop's office for public affairs.

 

Contact Donovan Marks before your trip. Don't know if he still is the Cathedral's staff photographer at present, but he was the last time I saw him.

 

Donovan Marks Photography

[gberger]

Yes, you will be able to use flash in certain locations - - - but, the edifice is vast, and IMO, you'll need either a 24 or 21 to capture the Cathedral's vast "space" in addition to either a 35 0r 50. There are many, many close-ups that will attract you, beginning with the ironwork and carvings throughout the edifice. . To capture some sense of the interior, try to gain access to one of the balconies (North or South that look down onto the Crossing, or from the West balcony under the beautiful Rose window. From there, you'll be able to get a shot down the complete length of the main aisle , all the way from the West entrance to the Great Altar.

 

The side chapels (St John's and St Mary's are works of art, as is the Children's Chapel and the War Memorial Chapel. Below the main level, please try and get access to the Chapel of the Resurrection, done in mosaic tile. It'll,blow your mind. Also, on that level is Bethlehem Chapel, the first one to be completed, even before the main tower was finished.

 

The interior is relatively dark, so, with film, you'll need at least some 400 rolls in addition to 100 rolls for the exterior. Please take an incident meter! You can use the reflective meter in your Leica for shooting the stained glass windows, but the interior lighting is tricky, and an incident meter will give you much better exposures.

 

The grounds and exterior are well worth the time.

 

Enjoy the sixth largest Cathedral in the world, and the second largest in the US.

[tllabron]

It has been awhile since I was in DC, but I did get to the cathedral right after it was finished. It is a fastastic bldg. I didn't get permission, but this was long before 911, but I didn't get in the balconies or any of the specific niches unless it was already open. I was an Leica R shooter and my 19mm f/2.8 did an excellent job for the interiors. Each of the side stained glass windows has a specific meaning and I shot each one of those with my 90mm f/2 lens across from each window. One of those stained glass windows has a piece of a moon rock in the design. Like I said this was a long time ago, so my inside shots were with Ektachrome 160 and I used Kodachrome 25 for the outside. It was a semi cloudy day so the sunshine was not intense with open spots of sky blue. I used my 35mm f/2.8 outside for the most part and did use the 19 for a couple of shots.

 

Good Luck and have a Happy and Safe Shoot

 

Tom L.L.

[Mountaineer-American]

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Thanks for your responses. Special thanks to gberger & tllbron, your advice answered the question. Shot several spools of Kodachrome 64 & got a few good photographs. Here is a snap from a different viewpoint:

[gberger]

Glkad you enjoyed your visit to the Cathedral. My spouse worshipped in Bethlehem Chapel when it wass the only finished portion of the edifice, and we both went to the dedication in November of 1990. We have around fifty rolls taken over the years and during all seasons. I always have our camera with us when we go, as there's always either something new or something we've missed over the years that begs a photo.

 

Cheers

[Mountaineer-American]

I reckon that shot I posted was a little soft. Maybe one of these will be better.