Resurrected Christ (St. Remy Church Russia Ohio)

This statue of the resurrected Christ is put on display at the St. Remy Church in Russia, Ohio during the celebration of Easter. Unfortunately I did not have my tripod with me when I took these. The first one was taken at ISO 1600. On the second one it would of been nice if I could have extended my Depth of Field (DOF)so as not to blur the hand. Normally I would of just filed these and do a re-shoot, but I am pretty sure by the time I make it back there the statue will no longer be on display. LOW Light and Hand-Held hardly ever go together well.

St. Augustine Cemetery (Shadows)

One of the photo challenges in one of the photo clubs I belong to was using shadow as a subject. This was a while back but I find myself looking for shadow photo opportunities every time I go out to take pictures. I found this while visiting the St. Augustine Cemetery in Minster Ohio. All these old cemetery's have a fair amount of cross tipped monuments so this is hardly a rare find, but it caught my eye non-the-less. I would of liked to have gotten a little blur on the background but I like the shadow of the trees on the ground to go with the shadow of the cross on the monument. This was taken about 7:00 PM. I would of liked to have stayed longer and seen what light/shadows developed as the sun set but that will have to wait for another time.

St. Mark's Church

St. Mark's, pictured here with its new sign, is a small church located right behind the public library in Sidney. While I wasn't crazy about the sky I had to work with I was pretty happy with the shadows.


This picture of Saint Mark, which hangs to the left of the altar is a nice tribute to the churches namesake. The picture of the sacramental elements on the right didn't come out quite to suit me but it's the artistic picture for this post. I struggled with whether to include or not include the window.



I'll close with these pictures of the simple but elegant altar. I found the tapestry interesting in color and design. I am sure the seven points of the crown have a meaning.

For more information about this church you can check out their web page St. Mark's

St. Mark's Baptismal (A Photographer Perspective)

As mentioned in the previous post these pictures are from the Baptismal service at the St. Marks Episcopal Church in Sidney. I am always looking for opportunities to improve my taking pictures of people skills. I thought this would be a good chance to do just that. Also since it was in a church a chance to work with Low Light situations. I have two fast lenses in my bag. The Canon 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon 100mm f/2.8. I shot most of these at f/4.0 but it's nice to be able to open up more if I need to. All these were hand held so I made more use of the 50mm to give me more flexibility with the shutter speed. This opening shot was taken at f/4.0 1/90 and ISO 400 with my Kit lens--Canon 18-55mm. When photographing events I look for creative ways to incorporate the supporting elements. This was a one handed shot as it's me holding the program.

The church was fairly bright so I was able to use the same lens for this wide shot from the back. f/4.5 1/60 ISO 400. Any time I can shoot at ISO 400 in a church puts a smile on my face. I was given pretty much free reign to go where I needed and to use flash. I did use flash but I tried not to be too disruptive. This is an important and hard rule for me to remember sometimes. Cuz when I start snapping my brain just kind-of-tunnels in on what ever I'm shooting.

All events have key elements that you need to capture whether its blowing out the candles on a birthday cake or the bride and groom kiss at a wedding. While not the main event one of the key elements leading up to the baptism is the priest pouring the Holy Water into the baptismal. I used my 50mm and had to open up to f/2.5 and 1/60 shutter to keep my ISO at 400. I will shoot at ISO 800 if I have to and I have shot weddings at that but If I can get ISO 400 without having to sacrifice too much so much the better. Of course it helped being able to use flash.

When taking pictures like this there is a good chance you will not be the only one taking pictures. There was a lady taking pics, who I later found out was taking pictures for the church. I thought she was a family member of one of the kids getting baptised. The church was also video taping the service from the back with the camera pointed down the center aisle. The woman and I kept trying to use the same angle i.e. we were getting in each others way. I finally found a place where I could take my pictures without too much conflict. This is not to fault the woman. She had the same right to be there as I did. The problem was that I was now in the center aisle in front of the video camera. When photographing events you have to work with such things and be conscious of your surroundings.

The pictures that follow are the Baptism, Anointing with Oil, Candle and Certificate. I am just going to post these with the camera settings.

   

I was a little worried about my DOF at 2.5 so I stopped down to f/4.0 and bumped my ISO up to 800 for the pictures above and below.

   

It was a fun and easy shoot and I got three post out of it too boot. Yep, I got one more upcoming post featuring the church itself.

Windows of St. Mark's

My niece and her husband attend the St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Sidney, Ohio. They asked if I would come last Sunday to take some pictures of the Baptismal service. Of course I couldn't pass up another picture opportunity with a Church and People! It's a very small traditional church, but has it's own beauty about it. This post features the windows of the church.

Pictured here left is the Winged Lion Symbol for St. Mark. St. Mark is associated with the lion because he described the voice of John the Baptist as sounding like a roaring lion. The lion symbol was later depicted with wings because of a vision in which Ezekial saw four winged creatures with the heads of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. These creatures came to be associated with the four evangelists (Matthew=man, Mark=lion, Luke=ox, John=eagle).


These last two are my artistic shots for the day.



Look for more pictures of the church and the Baptism in tomorrow's post.

First Holy Communion

This Saturday was my Granddaughter Emily's First Holy Communion. The Mass was held at Holy Angels in Sidney. The place was packed and rather warm--okay--HOT. Papaw was not feeling too good to boot, so I had no idea how well the pictures would turn out. It was a very nice Mass and I managed to pull out a few good pics. This first one is the children who are to receive their First Holy Communion singing.


Of course my Emily was just as cute as could be.





The picture on the left was my favorite picture of the day.
The one on the right was a close second.

The Mass ended with this procession.

Jesus Takes Up His Cross

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 27:27-31
The procurator's soldiers took Jesus inside the praetorium and collected the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and wrapped him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown of thorns they fixed it on his head, and stuck a reed in his right hand. Then they began to mock him by dropping on their knees before him, saying, "All hail, king of the Jews!" They also spat at him. Afterwards they took hold of the reed and kept striking him on the head. Finally, when they had finished making a fool of him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion.

REFLECTION
Most fortunate is the soul who walks by the way of Calvary, following Jesus our Redeemer, for if we suffer with Christ now with Christ we shall reign in the glory of the Father. --Saint Paul of the Cross

LET US PRAY
O God, through the sufferings of Your only-begotten Son, You have crushed the pride of the ancient enemy: grant us the grace to remember with great devotion all He has suffered for us, so that with tranquil soul we may bear all the sufferings and adversities which come upon us. Through Christ our Lord, AMEN.

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise; it is the sure way to holiness. The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love. -- St. Paul of the Cross

Station of the Cross from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Botkins, Ohio.

The Steineman Chapel

In The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches there are two chapel's that I know of. One that I have already posted "The Chapel in the Woods" in Maria Stein and this one The Steineman Chapel located in St. Augustine Cemetery in Minster Ohio. Inside the chapel I found a lovely book that tells the story of a promise kept to God that made a lasting impression.

The following is quoted from the book.

While the family survived two deadly outbreaks of Cholera in town, it would not be spared from grave illness for it's matriarch, Katherina.



In the early-to-mid 1850's, John Henry's wife Katherina became very ill. Being a man of strong Catholic faith, John Henry prayed to God to spare his wife's life. John Henry promised to build something in God's honor should he answer his prayer. Shortly thereafter, Katherina recovered from her illness to the relief of John Henry.



A man of his word, John Henry began work on a small chapel in the town's cemetery. Using brick from his brick yard, he constructed a 12-foot by 18-foot building. For many years it was used for funerals during inclement weather.



This chapel as well as the other one I've blogged are worth a visit if your ever in the area. I thought it was interesting that both chapels featured an element with Purgatory. Both these chapels were built after the Cholera epidemic so that may have been an influencing factor. From a photo standpoint -- I was there at the wrong time of day. This is definitely a morning shoot. Inside it was very cramped with limited shooting angles. I had to work very hard to get the picture of Purgatory. I still ended up with some reflection.

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV)

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This stained glass window is one of several parables in glass you will find at the St. Jacobs Lutheran church in Anna, Ohio.

Our Lady of Ephesus

In The Land of the Cross Tipped Churches there are many beautiful churches to visit. However, there is also the occasional side trip that leads to something new and interesting. This statue is Our Lady of Ephesus and stands outside the Lehman High School just outside of Sidney, Ohio. The statue is huge and is easily seen from Interstate (I 75). The following text comes from the website listed in the Related Link at the bottom of the post.

Jesus, dying on the cross, committed the care of His mother, Mary, to St. John the Apostle. "Then he said to his disciple, "Behold your Mother." And from that hour the disciple took Her into his home." John 19:27 History records he took her to Ephesus, the ancient ruins of which lie on the central western coast of Turkey. Several million tourists visit Ephesus each year and bring away with them the wonderful spiritual experience of having visited Mary's home, high on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean Sea.

The website also has a picture of a replica of Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer in Jamaica, Vermont.

Related Links:
Our Lady of Ephesus