Danger Zone
Uploaded: September 04, 2011 05:12:12
The heartbreaking sight of the cathedral I cherish, surrounded by chain-link and police tape, creating a safe perimeter. Sad
but necessary with tons of loose limestone precariously balanced all along the building. Earthquake damage extends the full length of
the 510' long building; you can barely scan 3 buttresses in a row without finding masonry broken, cracked, twisted out of alignment or
missing completely. Several years of work, costing tens of millions of dollars (paid only by donations) are needed to fix it all.
Please Google the Washington National Cathedral for more info, and to help support this monumental undertaking.
09-11 Finalist - T&P
Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: -0.67, ExposureTime: 1/500 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 10.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D
Melinda F. Schneider September 04, 2011
This is the perfect documentary of the earthquake damage and pending repair. Beautiful DOF keeping the focus throughout. As sad as it is, it is good to know that this grand dame is in good hands. Very well done, Christopher! #1406100Joy Rector September 04, 2011
great shot #9652086Nikki McDonald September 04, 2011
You are sending an important message with this image, Chris, reminding us that natural disasters have many victims and encouraging us to do our part to help wherever and whenever we can. #9652151Richard B. Hallick September 04, 2011
Thank you, Chris, for your continued reporting on the Cathedral. This is an important story which you are in a perfect position to document with your images. Keep up the good work. #9652239Terry Cervi September 04, 2011
Thank you for keeping us posted on the status of this beautiful cathedral, Chris. I didn't realize that the damage was so extensive. A monumental undertaking for sure. #9653158Chris Budny September 05, 2011
Thank you all very much. It was a reassuring sight to see the 300-ton crane arrive yesterday, which will be able to lift 4 colossal, long steel I-beams, 24" deep, to the top of the bell tower; once in place, they will hang out over the 4 sides of the tower, cantilevered, and the scaffolding for tower repairs will be assembled on those extended parts of the beams. In the 8 major and minor pinnacles of the tower, MANY tons of masonry must then be dismantled and lowered to the ground, inspected, and new pieces carved to replace damaged pieces. Then the pinnacles can be rebuilt. While the bell tower suffered the most damage in a single area, many other pinnacles at various heights lower than the bell tower, and located along the length of the building, suffered similar damage. #9653704Lindley Johnson September 05, 2011
In your image, one can still see the beauty of the cathedral behind the protective tape. A terrific image, and interesting information - thanks for keeping us informed, Chris! #9653841Chris Budny September 06, 2011
Thank you, Lindley! I spent all 3 days of the holiday weekend up there, photographing, and talking with visitors who didn't realize the building is still closed to the public. It is still a beautiful place, no matter what---and the damage could have been far, far worse, not to mention, people inside could have been injured or killed. It is astonishing to see how quickly a "simple" 45 seconds of shaking can result in the tens of millions of dollars in damages. #9655642Leslie McLain September 14, 2011
So sad to see the cathedral damaged, Chris. Terrific capture and info. #9671737Chris Budny September 15, 2011
Thank you, Leslie; it is a sad state of affairs, but one that will, in time, improve. The cathedral officially turns 104 years old at the end of this month; not quite the birthday present you want to receive!Ellen Hodges September 18, 2011
Excellent and descriptive image, Chris! Glad no one was hurt, but the repairs take a long time. Know that most insurance companies don't cover earthquake either. #9678254Chris Budny September 18, 2011
Thank you, Ellen. Yes, sadly, our property insurance is the 'typical' in that earthquakes are specifically listed as "not covered"---and very few folks on the east coast get quake coverage because it is simply so very rare.Laura E. Swan October 14, 2011
Having been born and raise in California (nicknamed "shakey") I am well aware of what small and large earth quakes alike can cause. My sister and I shared a room with two small beds as kids and many times our beds moved around the hardwood floors while we were in them. So sad to hear of the damage of this beautiful structure. I hope they plan to make it quake proof since insurance is useless. :(Wonderful image and reporting, Chris!
-Laura :) #9734729
Chris Budny October 14, 2011
Thanks, Laura! We're definitely not accustomed to quakes out here... So it remains truly astonishing how much damage was done in so short a time period! #9735153Gail Vitikacs October 14, 2011
Remarkable...this is indeed sad Chris...I know how much you love this place... #9735682Chris Budny October 15, 2011
Progress is being made... the central tower, with the most dangerous loose stonework, is being stabilzed, after scaffolding was installed up there (which was after the 500-foot crane collapsed!) And an opening date has been set -- Nov. 12. So things will slowly return to normal, yet the safety fence, the debris netting inside---those things will be with us for quite awhile longer... #9736238Tammy Espino October 18, 2011
Congrats on your wonderful finalist :) #9743663Richard B. Hallick October 18, 2011
Congratulations on having this moving image selected as a September finalist. Such well-deserved recognition not only for your artistry, but also for your passionate advocacy for the National Cathedral. #9743666Patti Coblentz October 18, 2011
I am so pleased to see this image with a finalist, Chris! Congratulations! I agree with Richard wholeheartedly. #9743885Claudine Grove October 18, 2011
Congrats on your finalist badge. #9743985Leslie McLain October 18, 2011
Congrats on a very unique finalist, Chris. I understand that you had an image picked for the book, too. So congrats on that as well. I haven't had a chance to see the book yet. Ordered it from Amazon and looking forward to seeing who else is in there. #9744283Gail Vitikacs October 18, 2011
Big Congrats on your finalist! Best of luck Chris! #9744384Lindley Johnson October 18, 2011
Congratulations on your wonderful finalist, Chris! #9745183Usman M. Bajwa October 18, 2011
Huge CONGRATZ, Chris!!!UB. #9745271
Naomi Weiser October 18, 2011
congrats! #9745578Chris Budny October 19, 2011
Thank you all very much! #9746048Katarina Mansson October 19, 2011
Great POV and storyteller. Congratulations on your finalist Chris! #9746051Melinda F. Schneider October 19, 2011
A dramatic storytelling shot; I love the focus throughout. Super work; Congratulations, Chris! #9746236Heather Loewenhardt October 19, 2011
Congrats on this awesome finalist Chris. Love the POV. Good luck! #9746408Chris Budny October 19, 2011
Thank you all! #9747917Susan Fox October 19, 2011
Congratulations on your finalist! #9748020JO ANN CLEVELAND October 19, 2011
Outstanding finalist...congratulations Christopher!jo ann c. #9748608
Michele Peterson October 19, 2011
Congratulations on this getting a finalist, Chris!! #9748622Laura E. Swan October 19, 2011
to my new friend Chris! How wonderful that this went to FINALIST. GOOD! MORE EXPOSURE!!!Fine job here. :))) !!!
-Laura :D #9748853
Renee Doyle October 19, 2011
WTG Chris!!! Congratulations!!! #9749090Rona L. Schwarz October 19, 2011
So sad to see this, Chris. As such a passionate advocate for this magnificent building, it must be heart wrenching to witness this first-hand. But I'm glad to see that such a worthy finalist will continue to document this important story and publicize the need for donations and support. Keep up the good work and keep us posted! Oh, and Congratulations - it really is a fine piece of photography! #9749494Chris Budny October 20, 2011
Thank you all very much!Debra R. Harder October 20, 2011
This is a FABULOUS image, Chris! Love your POV!!!! Huge congratulations on your BRILLIANT finalist! Deb #9750456Chris Budny October 21, 2011
Thank you, Debra! #9752243David M. Montero October 23, 2011
Congratulations on your finalist selection Christopher! #9756989Ellen Hodges October 24, 2011
Huge congrats, Chris on this fab story telling finalist!!! Huge congrats on being included in the new BP book, too!!! #9758239Chris Budny October 24, 2011
Thank you both, Dave & Ellen! #9758315Merna L. Nobile October 25, 2011
May your heart catch the joy of the moment and soar!
#9762567
Amanda J. Tanner October 30, 2011
Beautiful work Christopher and a Huge Congratulations on this outstanding Finalist! #9772005Chris Budny October 30, 2011
Thank you both, Merna & Amanda! #9772048Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 05, 2011
I liked this image from the moment I saw it at PG 101. A super finalist Chris, congratulations!! #9786063Chris Budny November 05, 2011
Thank you, Donna! #9786168Stefania Barbier November 17, 2011
a wonderful finalist, congratulations!!! #9811850Chris Budny November 17, 2011
Thank you, Stefania; I'm happy to report the cathedral was finally able to re-open to the public this week, after 80 days closed! #9812115Karen Slagle November 18, 2011
Congrats on your outstanding finalist, Christopher. What a gorgeous place. #9816244Chris Budny November 18, 2011
Thank you, Karen; an older finalist, but a favorite nonetheless! #9816281Katherine Kuhn November 18, 2011
Outstanding capture of the narrative of the Cathedral! #9816607Don Johnson November 18, 2011
Wonderful, although heart breaking shot. #9816791Amanda D. Austwick November 18, 2011
WOW Chris, what a great sad story you have shared in your images and narrative. You have so many gorgeous images of this cathedral in your work, and it is sad to see it tied off, yet I see it is open to the public again!!! #9816799Chris Budny November 18, 2011
Thank you very much folks... I can't wait to get back in (tomorrow) and start giving tours again! Been too long...! #9817100Jill Odice November 19, 2011
You have taken a scene most folks would walk away from without taking a shot and turned it into a winner!Congrats on your finalist and for thinking outside the box :-) #9818751Chris Budny November 19, 2011
Thanks, Jill... I wanted to capture the history of the moment... the first forced closure in the cathedral's 104 year history... #9819382Alex T. Mizuno November 19, 2011
Congratulations on your Finalist Chris! Contrast between the beautiful church building and the yellow tapes sends a strong message. #9819836Chris Budny November 20, 2011
Thanks, Alex... Thankfully, this fencing and yellow tape is gone now. #9820293Yulianto Soeroso December 06, 2011
lovely shot #9851755Chris Budny December 07, 2011
Thank you, Yulianto! Thankfully, the fencing and police tape is gone from the front of the building now! #9852028Merna L. Nobile December 07, 2011
Congratulations!Julianne Bradford December 14, 2011
I'm so glad this beautiful cathedral is open again and we can look forward to more of your beautiful images of it Chris! #9867325Larry Smith December 15, 2011
Congratulations Chris and great message with the camera and words #9868001Chris Budny December 15, 2011
Thank you, folks! #9868101R. J. Laudenbacher December 15, 2011
A story well told Chris. Congrats on your finalist and best of luck to you in the next round. #9868790Chris Budny December 15, 2011
Thanks, RJ! This is an older Finalist, though, so it is not in the current running. So glad this fence and police tape is now gone from the cathedral! #9868797Phyllis A. Houghton January 24, 2012
I am so glad the tape and fence are gone. I went there when I was 10. A magnificent cathedral. #9942639Stefania Barbier January 25, 2012
great pov, congratulations on your beautiful finalist!!! #9943375Chris Budny January 25, 2012
Thank you Stefania! Phyllis, I'm glad too! (Although the fence still remains around the other 3 sides of the building, and will remain there for a few years, as the long repair work on the central tower continues.) #9943992Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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