Maybe I’ve Got A (Stained) Glass Eye
Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
From my very youngest days, I remember being enthralled by the huge stained glass window in St Nicholas, the Missions to Seamen church not far from where we lived in Calcutta. It was a few years before I realised that the giant window faced east, to catch the rays of the morning sun. I probably spent more time than the other parishioners gazing at the myriad pieces that made up the intricate mosaic of ethereal light.
I guess that explains why I always photograph stained glass windows in churches around the world. If there’s a church in a city I’m visiting, chances are I’ve been in there, armed with my camera on my shoulder and my faith in my heart. This weekend I had the great honour of photographing a friend’s daughter’s First Holy Communion.
And sure enough, in the middle of the service, I couldn’t help myself. I had to photograph the stained glass window. This one faces west and because we’re in summer, with daylight saving hours, the colours were really striking. Like so many aspects of life, I guess it all depends on whether or not you see the light.
