PHOTOGRAPH INFO

This photo was taken Tuesday night at 9:45 p.m.

I've been waiting a few years for this shot, believe it or not. The lights at the church aren't on too often and when they are, there's no fog. Tuesday night was the perfect combination, so I got the tripod set up just in time for a few long exposure shots - the church lights went out at 10:00 p.m. (Whew!)

Post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens at 32mm, ISO 100, f/10, shutter 20 seconds. Converted to monochrome using the Gradient Map, curves adjustments, color balancing.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

absolutely stunning !! looks like a ufo landed around the corner

Really striking! I had the same initial reaction as Tom; reminded me of Close Encounters.

absolutely magical. i love those shots you stake out for so long until it's just right - and then it's there.

beautiful.

Brilliantly captured. You've finally got your opportunity and it was worth the wait for those conditions.

Kathleen,
Artistically, this is one of your very best. It is spectacular.---- It is quite challenging technically to get just the right viewpoint and best exposure. How many shots did you take? How many exposure combinations? Did you get it the first time?---Keep on keepin' on.
Dennis

Absolutely beautiful. It was worth waiting for!

A shot well worth waiting for. Both church steeple and tree spire point heavenward. Do I see faces in the stained glass window?

Really, really stunning composition. You NAILED this shot. I guess since you have been waiting that long for the right combo of fog and light, you had some time to mull over exactly what you wanted. I'd say this is one of the best monochromes I've ever seen. Thanks so much for sharing, and for beating the clock!

Wow, amazing.

Oh, my Lord...this is splendid. It almost makes one (me) cry. (Could be a hormonal thing, though.) It IS magical.

Well the waiting certainly paid off that's for sure! This is spectacular! Black and white was the perfect choice too.

holy crap that's awesome!

This was definitely worth waiting for - that light is fabulous! Bravo Kathleen!

STUNNING!!

I am just blown away. I've been visiting for a long time, but never been compelled to comment until now. The light coming through the window makes the shot for me. Thanks so much for posting this - a real inspiration.

Amazing mysterious atmosphere, great work.

LOVE IT! patience pays off!!!

If not the best, this is definitely top ten in my opinion. I check every day for new shots and this one just moved to my favorites :)

This is the type of shot an artists waits forever to capture. Keep up the amazing work. You are my inspiration.

My jaw just dropped.

WOW! Artistically, this is exceptional. I'm glad you had the patience to wait for this...one of your best shots.

Very Awesome. The light shooting out is way cool!!

Rays of hope cut through the fog, and there is a time for every exposure under Heaven....(your timing is totally inspiring)....and yes JPH their are faces in the window, and if you hold your monitor upside down and stare into the shadow of the central tree on the foreground grass, you will see the face of the Virgin Mary.......one day......

How ever we look at, this young woman shoots like a Saint for which I frequently give thanks!

I agree with the others - I love all your photography, and this is among your VERY BEST. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Wowsers... awesome! Love the riot of oblique lines. The fog is fantastic, but even the humble lines on the road make a contribution. And of course I love that it's monochrome.

I am speechless!

That's awesome. Hopefully, I'll see you on the 24th.

This is truly amazing.

Wow!

Absolutely magnificent. Consider it a killer shot.

This one is fantastic. The moment was just perfect!

Thanks, everyone. Responding to questions:

JPH: There are no faces in the window that I know of - but there is a cemetery directly behind the building with graves stretching back over 200 years - maybe it's them? :)

Dennis: I took roughly 10 shots. I was pretty certain about the exposure but I adjusted it enough to know that I didn't blow the highlights on the cupola. I also moved the tripod three times to get the composition how I wanted it.

My only regret with this opportunity is that I didn't bring one of my film cameras as well. Maybe in a few more years...

Well composed lovely shot

the subtitle would be "when patience pays"... It was worth the wait, thank you Kathleen...

!!!

I am completely envious of other state's fog. Unless there's a scandal going on in this county we see fog in OC CA maybe once every 3 years. It just seems so unbalanced the way some states are gifted with fog.

what more can I say...just amazing...

Nice shot Kathleen!

One of your best shots, really! This is SO mysterious and intriguing!

As a beginner, can't help wanting to see what the shot looked like before you took it to monochrome? Stunning work.

What a one of a kind and among the best.
I have just received the Pennsylvania Magazine, the Nov/Dec issue. Going through it page by page. Kathleen, you are great.
Wes.

Incredibly strong image.

Really wonderful picture. I tried commenting before, don't see the comments now though. I am very inspired by your site. Any technical info on your lighting, especially what you use for street portraits would be appreciated. I want to get away from working the pictures to death in photoshop :)

GASP!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!! Just awesome.The shadow of the tree creating the sign of the cross on the ground and the burst of light, I can just hear the organ playing. This is the BEST.

Beautiful shot! I love the lighting!

Salut Kathleen ! A very strong and amazing shot ! I love that light effect and this mysterious atmosphere ! I will come back to visit your site. Stéphane from Lyon - France

Annnnd the award goes to........

Wow Kathleen, that's beautiful!

Beautiful and brilliant work

It was worth to wait so many years, the combination of fog and lights is magical, and the processing adds a bonus.

Really amazing! I love the lines in the sky created by the light. Really nice image

If Willow is speechless, that says it all.

Very, very nice!

Like Sean, I've been following your photoblog for some time, but this one made me take the extra moment to speak up and say, "Wow!"

saw this pic in vfxy and quickly clicked to see it bigger...an amazing picture, amazing light, amazing everything!!!

WOW!, this has got to be one of the best pictures I've seen of this church. True dedication to know it was worth waiting 2 years and to run the moment you knew the time would be right.
Super choice for b/w :)

cool pic!