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Holy Virgin Cathedral

© Alex T. Mizuno

Holy Virgin Cathedral

Uploaded: December 05, 2007

Description


I've seen many churches in my life but this is the first Russian Orthodox Church I've ever seen. The moment I stepped in, I gasped. I had never seen anything like this. Icons and gold color are all over. This Byzantine architectural design is simply stunning. The wall with three gates is called iconostasis that separates the nave from the holy altar. Thanks to the courtesy of the church. The mixture of the sunlight, candle lights and incandescent lights was not an easy situation to photograph, but I managed to adjust the white balance in PS.
Photographed at Holy Virgin Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
ISO=200, F11, S2.2, FL18mm (Nikkor 18-135mm Lens), Aperture Priority

Comments

Kathleen Rinker December 05, 2007

Good work Alex this is beautiful!! I do have to ask are the churches unlocked in California? Our churches here are locked as people tend to steal things. #801909

Alex T. Mizuno December 05, 2007

Hi Kathleen, thank you for your friendly comments always! Churches here are open only for services. Most of the time, I photograph interiors of churches either right before or after the services. In this case, I had to make an appointment and bring a property release form. I had to wait for a few days but it was worth the wait since I could photograph while the church was empty. I told the priest I'm a Christian, but obviously it was not good enough :) #5172953

Steven E. Ray December 05, 2007

Wow Alex... another masterpiece. You may have found one of your unique photography niches. I have always marveled at the Byzantine iconery from the Orthodox Church... have made wallpapers from them. I must salute your ambitious endeavor of capturing this sanctuary in all it's natural ambient glory. I also solicit for a 2560 x 2048 wallpaper unless the signature release forbids such sharing :) God Bless you Alex and visit Indiana soon! #5173708

Lisa J. Boulden level-classic December 07, 2007

What a stunning capture, Alex!
I love the lighting and colors! Wonderful pov, too. I used to work with a woman who was married to a Russian Orthodox priest. She had told me that there are no pews in their churches, except for some along the walls. Is that true here?
Looks like a magnificent place!
--Lisa #5181655

Alex T. Mizuno December 08, 2007

Steven and Lisa, thank you for your kind supportive comments!!

Steven: Thank you for your invitation. Yeah, I'd like to visit Hoosier state sometime soon!

Lisa: Your friend is right. Inside a Russian Orthodox Church, pews are few :) In the wide nave area, you find some shrines and of course, a lot of icons. During the service, worshippers are just standing around. Even if you sit in a pew, you have to sit straight and you are not allowed to cross your legs. #5184178

Danielle Fuller December 14, 2007

WINNER!!! Perfectlt exposed, love the tones and light....amazing job on this! #5207982

Alex T. Mizuno December 18, 2007

Danielle, you are so kind. Thank you very much!! #5224967

Kumiko Parkinson January 19, 2008

Gorgeous master piece, Alex!
I have one question about the property release. Do you have to pay for that? Maybe not because they are churches...
I have this problem about Botanical Gardens here, if I ask them Property release, I have to make appointment for shooting and also have to pay, like, $50/hour.....I'd like to spend at least 2-3 hours, so???????????????? #5362811

Alex T. Mizuno January 19, 2008

Thank you for the great comment, Kumiko!! For churches, you normally don't have to pay for photographing. I had to make an appointment for this particular church but I usually don't for other churches. $50 per hour is pretty expensive. You should be paid for photographing for them instead. #5363898

Stan Kwasniowski January 31, 2008

Alex, gorgeous, I can relate to this, though I am of the Catholic Byzantine Rite, enter each Sunday for me is heavenly #5424041

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