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Basilica-of-Saint-Paul


Wayne Sadler

From the category:

Architecture

· 101,957 images
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I was totally unprepared for the experience of this Basilica in Rome.

One of the workers at the hotel I was staying (who was from Manila)

struggled to communicate in English and Italian about a place he

highly recommended we visit, a place he obviously found spiritually

moving. As best I could understand he said something about a great

saint being buried there. Coincidentally, the only tour my wife and I

scheduled for our time in Italy brought us to this very place. I have

never been in a place of worship this huge, this open and (important

for a photographer) a place with such low light. I immediately felt

the sanctity of the place and was careful not to be irreverent to the

place and the worshippers present.

 

It is the burial place of Paul (Saint Paul the Apostle/Saul of Tarsu),

a Christian missionary who took the gospel of Christ to the

first-century world and was beheaded in Rome between 65 and 67 A.D.

Paul is considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic

Age ( fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament have

been attributed to Paul) He founded several churches in Asia Minor

and Europe and used his status as both a Jew and a Roman citizen to

advantage his ministry to both Jewish and Roman audiences. About in

the 4th century, Emperor Constantine built this Basilica about two

kilometers outside the Aurelian Walls surrounding Rome as a place to

venerate the memory of Saint Paut. In this Basilica are a long series

of medallions which depict all the popes throughout history. Amidst

this grandeur, history, spirituality and dim like, this photographer

was at great disadvantage. Comments and critique welcome.

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I am a little embarrassed about the EXIF data:  Nikon D80, 1/2s, f/4.5, ISO 100, focal length 17.0mm, handheld (floor braced)

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Hi Wayne,

A certainly impressive setting my friend.

Using the floor as a brace is a good start. While there can still be very small vibration from the hand motion pressing down on the camera and the shutter release, a level surface is always welcomed. Sometimes, the hardwood will cause a vibration issue that is best handled by "mirror lock-up", but the Nikon D80 does not have this feature. However, at 17 mm focal length, this is not really a concern.

The ISO 100 is better served by ISO 200 (as you now know).

The F/4.5 and the use of a 17 mm setting from the zoom are both limitations of what you have to work with. So, you have done a good job making the capture with what you had to work with. At this working distance, a wide open setting would not compromise the DOF and the extra light would reduce the required exposure a bit, too.

For scenes like this, high quality fixed focal lengths do produce the best imagery, but at a cost . When I first starting doing weddings in large churches, I found the investment in such fine lens to pay off quickly. The floor level shot of the bride and groom going down the isle was always a favorite, with the columns, stained glass window, candles and altar being a part of the active scene.

Best Regards, Mike

 

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Hi Wayne, Beautiful place to be, I like your narrative it's very interesting. Nice capture, I love the light you got here!!! Enjoy there, and bring us pictures!!!!

Warm regards,

LuDa

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Hi Wayne,

I was in Rome on a business trip when I was only 19 (first job). I have longed to go back ever since. So much HISTORY in Rome, all of Italy really. It is a beautiful Basilica and considering the lighting, you captured the moment and the memory quite well. I know if I were to try to take images there, I would be challenged, but Mikes info really helps and I will copy it for future reference as well. When I was there, I was truly overwhelmed. While there, I also had the opportunity to visit the Mamertine Prison where Paul had been imprisoned (St. Peter as well). It is located on the northeastern slope of the Capitoline Hill, just opposite the Roman Forum. My Boss bought me a little point and shoot as I did not have a camera back then. He and his wife took pics of me outside the Vatican, in the Forum and sitting on a wall that overlooks the Forum. It was so long ago, but I will never forget that trip. Hopefully I will go back some time soon, the memory does fade and I know I'd probably not give my Camera much rest! I hope you had a wonderful time there with your wife. I found Italy to be a very 'Romantic' country, one that should be shared with someone you love. Thanks so much for bringing back so many memories with this image. 

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Thanks very much for commenting, Luisa, Gail and Patsy.  I didn't know I was a romantic until I reached Rome.  I am still learning about the things I saw.  Reviewing the many images I made and doing the research tracing my steps keep my memories fresh and my excitement high.  I wish I could go back, hopefully as a better photographer and better informed.

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A lovely image. I like how the central area is brightly lit. Good clarity and I like your composition. The people add human interest and give it scale. 

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great composition with light and less light. Yes, the basilicas in Rome are great. At the begin I thought it is Santa Maria Maggiore.

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