Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
We were at a family wedding at the Hungarian Ev-Lutheran Church last weekend and of course I had my trusty Pentax slung over my shoulder. No, I wasn’t the official photographer, but I still shot 250 frames which the bride and groom enjoyed looking at yesterday.
This shot (above) was taken just after the service ended. I raced outside to get some shots of the couple as they walked out and while I waited, I happened to look up and realised this scene was just waiting to be photographed.
The sky was really interesting, with light cloud interspersed with patches of blue, highlighting the silhouette of the steeple. I had deliberately chosen to use my 18-125mm lens that afternoon, so I had the flexibility to frame the shot exactly as I wanted, making the most of the trees on either side of the bell tower.
I guess one of the things I really like about the shot of the bell tower and the sky is that it is completely asymmetrical - and yet it works well, precisely because of that. Do you agree?
This shot (above) was taken in the church car park. It has a slightly quirky quality because I guess it makes you look twice. Only when you look closely do you realise what I’ve shot. It’s the external chrome headlamp of a vintage car – and the sky is reflected in its convex surface.
I had to work like Mister Bendy to achieve this shot without getting my own reflection in the chrome, but I didn’t succeed entirely. You can see an elongated reflection – like one of those novelty fairground mirrors - on the right hand side of the frame.
I have to say the church itself is beautiful, with great stained glass windows and a timber cathedral-style ceiling with amazing beams and struts.
Later, when I had finished taking photographs, I walked around the side of the church and found a beautiful war memorial. The shadows had gone and the autumn sun had long since set, but of course I had to get out my camera for one last sky shot.
For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.
