Inside a church

[Jinks]

First of all, I'm not sure this should be in landscape/cityscape as it's inside a building but this does seem to be one of the more active critique sections so there's more chance of comments and assistance. If I'm not in the right place then I'm very sorry and I'm sure the mods will put me right.

I took this through a security grill that was preventing access to the altar so I was very limited in my choice of viewpoint but the colours as the light from the windows behind me hit the gold were just crying out to be captured.

Is the lectern in the foreground spoiling it and if so is there anything I can do about it?

Any suggestions for alterations or improvements would be greatly appreciated.

Other than a little cropping it's straight out of the camera.

Nikon D5000
Focal length 18mm
1/6th of a second at f4
Auto white balance
ISO 200
No flash.

[JFSanders]

Jinks, The colors are beautiful but the lectern kills it, dead. Can you reshoot off center so as to exclude the lectern?

Jim

[milosh]

I agree with Jim, the lectern obstructing the view is ruining the photo for me as well. But I'm afraid if you removed it totally from the frame it would feel empty. I would like to see it moved to the left and maybe a little bit down.

[Jinks]

Thank you both. It's one of those times when you get the answer you expected but hoped you wouldn't. Unfortunately I can't shoot it again as it was taken while on a vacation. It's a private church in an English stately home so there's very limited access and I took it from about the best aspect I could. I did try cropping at the level of the altar but it pushed the perspective too far out.

Ah well, another one for the rapidly expanding 'nearly' file.

[JFSanders]

I call them educational tools. If I print them out and glue them to a rock then hit myself with it...

Jim

[Michael_2010]

You really nailed the exposure on that shot. The colors and textures are great. In the future, when you come up on a scene like this, shoot it from as many angles as practical. Then when you get home and look through the files you will have some options with your composition.

[ALBERT WARD]

I agree with the rest of the guys - the pulpit - as I know it, do interfere a lot with the picture and spoil the main idea!
Taking the same shot at an angle, or different angles - obviously applying the rule of thirds, will in feature help.
Now something totally different. I do also love to take shots of old churches on the inside and many times there are "obstacles" or obstructions you don't like. Most of them are loose standing items etc. and what I then normally do, is to kindly ask who ever is in charge if I could move the object for the purpose of the photo. In 90% of the times, I was given permission and even assisted to move the items. You will be surprised what one can accomplish if you simply ask, obviously doing it with great consideration and respect. In the other 10% of the cases, I just worked my way around it or simply try to concentrate on a specific area.
This is one lesson I have learned early in photography - always apply consideration and a great amount of respect, always reminding myself that I am the "intruder" in this shot I want to take. This attitude has opened doors to me, that I would have thought never possible. It must be as if you are not there at all if you understand what I mean!

Regards - Albert