Taking photos of sacred places, like Churches or Basilicas, is not easy. It’s not that they do not have appeal; they do. In fact, the majority of the world’s most sacred places can make for very interesting photography subjects.

The reason is more because of the solemnity and meaning of the place. You have to consider some things first before clicking away on your camera.

What to Keep in Mind When Photographing Sacred Places

First things first. A sacred place is intimate and personal. In some of these places, especially in Cathedrals and Basilicas, there are rules and guidelines for photographers. You need to strictly follow these rules. A professional photographer understands the word respect.

photo by bvi4092

Inside a church, for example, when the mass is going on, would you take pictures? Some will say yes, while others won’t. Even if it’s a world famous structure like the Notre Dame de Paris or the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, you need to ask permission before taking a photo of the interiors, especially when a service is ongoing. And especially if the participants or churchgoers are devotees.

A professional photographer knows and understands how important it is to be discreet in places like this. If a person or a group of people do not want to be photographed, so be it. Don’t force the situation.

It is also important to feel and experience the place. Before taking photos, put down your camera and let the solemnity and magic of the place get into you. This will help you take photos with meaning. Only if you fully experience the place will you ever truly capture its wonder and essence.

Technical Stuff and Other Things to Consider

One of the things that make photographing sacred places a little complex is the lighting. Most of these places, especially the churches, do not have enough natural light coming in. Therefore, you will have to rely on whatever natural light is available. In most cases, a photographer taking pictures of the interiors of a Basilica in Rome will want to use additional sources of lighting.

photo by andy

Although using a tripod can greatly help produce good, steady photos, not all churches or sacred places allow its use. So it is still better to know how to get the most of whatever natural light is available. Use your creative eye for turning a dimly lit Basilica shot into an artistic image with a lot of beautiful meanings.

Not all sacred places allow the use of flash. It’s distracting. Instead, use light that comes from windows or doors, and even from cracked ceilings. Blend this with the colors of the church. Choose your shots wisely so that you’ll make good use of the available light.

Tilting the camera the right way will also help. The position of your camera is essential if you want to add depth and character to your subject/s. If you tilt down your camera, you are aiming for a subtle, less powerful effect. If you tilt it up and you look up at your subject/s, you are aiming for a powerful and grand appeal.

Use long lens when taking photos. This way, you won’t need to go up-close and disturb people. Sacred places are visited by millions of tourists, pilgrims and devotees everyday. Try not to distract them and their reasons for visiting the place. Let them have their quiet moments, so sit or stand a little further from the crowd, use your long lens, and take as many photos as you can.

Don’t be afraid to include religious images or symbols in your photos. Do not resist the visual attraction and significance of sacred places. These places are filled with symbols, images, figures and other works of art. Incorporate them into your shots to give viewers a sense of what it’s like to be inside. Exert some extra creativity to your shots, though. Don’t just go with the flow. Experiment by taking shots from different angles. When taking a photo of the church pews, for example, see how it will come out if you shoot from above and using eye level distance. How will your photo appear if you tilt the camera up or down? What kind of effect will it produce if you position the camera in such a way that the light bounces off the pews? Again, don’t be afraid to experiment.

photo by Ed Brambley

If you want to zoom in and zoom out more efficiently, use a tripod. Ask permission first to make sure that it is allowed inside the sacred place. Try going for longer exposures when you zoom (in or out) as this will give you better control.

Some Sacred Places to Shoot

So now that you know what to do when shooting sacred places, it’s time to gather ideas about which ones to shoot. Here are some suggestions:

• The Church of St. Francis Seraph in Prague. It is a Baroque Church and makes an interesting photography subject not only because of its rich interiors, but also because it has a gallery where you’ll find unique exhibits and displays. The Church also holds organ music concerts several times in the year. In terms of architecture, its most photographic feature is its nave that has a cross-shaped ground plan.
• The York Minster, which is basically a medieval building, is one of Europe’s majestic attractions. It played an important role in Civil Wars and in the years of Reformation. It is also said to house the remains of the Basilica of The Roman Fortress.
• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, also known as the Domain, surrounds the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France. It is visited by millions of people every year. There are a lot of interesting things to photograph here, including the pilgrims that bathe in the baths; the many processions that take place in the Domain, like the Torchlight Procession; and structures like the Crypt.

These are just some sacred places you might want to capture with your camera. There are many more scattered all over the world so you’ll have to find time to travel.

One last thing to remember when photographing sacred places is choosing the right images or scenes to capture. Rather than showing images of gloom, suffering or pain; it is best to showcase images of joy, victory and strength. For these are what sacred places are really all about.