Location Portraits

I have been attending church across the street from Our Merciful Saviour Episcopal Church for over 6 years, but I haven't made the time to visit. Built in 1909, the little green building is a wonderfully charming place, with lots of photographic potential. When local corporate/event photographer Jim Woods asked me to take some photos of an event there while he was out of town, I jumped at the chance.

The event involved a farewell party Father Gene Baker, a much-loved interim priest at the church for some eight months, as well as welcoming in Father David Petrash who will fill the post full time.

Jim requested shots of each man in the church sanctuary, and with both of them together if time allowed. I could not have asked for a better setting or more gracious subjects...

The interior of the church is beautiful wood, with great stained-glass windows. With the sun dropping fast, I quickly set up a single flash with an umbrella and got some interior shots. First, Fr. Petrash... I liked how the cross could be framed in the window...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

And a little tighter shot...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

Fr. Baker wasn't quite ready yet, so Fr. Petrash indulged me with some additional shots...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400


Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f4, 1/20, iso400

I used the same setup for the two men together...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/15, iso400

Then Fr. Baker by himself. Just to be different, I placed him to the left and showed the entire altar to the right.

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

and closer...

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

Such a wonderful face.... gotta get even closer!

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f3.5, 1/25, iso400

While time was short before a Shrove Tuesday service (and the following pancake meal), they gave me a few minutes for the shot I really wanted to try, outside in the fading light with the building as a backdrop.

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f5, 1/50, iso640

Light was disappearing fast, and bumped the shutter speed a bit to make the background even darker. This made for a dramatic shot that really highlights the subject. (and of course, I have forgotten his name, my apologies!)

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f5.6, 1/60, iso640

After the pancakes and a group shot, I managed to snag the two priests together in the sanctuary for one more shot with the altar.

Canon 5D, 24-70mm, f22, 1/15, iso3200

Happy Shooting,

Don J