ASCENSION
Yesterday we ascended into the Midland area of South Carolina bound for the tiny community of Rembert. It was a "sparkling day" as folks on the upper New England coast often say when there's a moment's break in their dreary weather. It is our great good fortune that sparkling days are more the rule than the exception in our state.
Saturday truly sparkled as the cloudless sky blocked not one lumen from the blazing Sun. This is good for the spirit if we subscribe to the theory that light deprived people are often depressed people which seems reasonable in ways most television reported medical theories do not. Only the bookie betting on rain cannot be cheered by so bright and sunny a day. The nattering scolds who hammer us over the toxicity of the Sun and most other pleasures of life are getting smaller in the rearview as we ascend up the road, into the country, toward unavoidable joy of simply being alive.
We have paused under a graceful oak in Sumter County on Hwy 261 at the Episcopal Church of The Ascension. We are seeking shade to make a better picture. This bright day does present the problem of extreme contrast in our picture taking. We always want to show you where we've been and what we've seen, but sometimes it's like attending a very good party where you just have to put the camera down and have a few drinks and a lot of laughs with good friends. If we have to give up picture quality to be in such wonderful weather we consider that a bargain.
posted by Windviel at 12:45 PM
2 Comments:
A commentary as lovely as the photograph. (And the scene, of course. Beautiful.)
Being my curious self I must ask: How did you manage to position yourself for the over-angle of the picture?
Climb to the upper rail of a fence? Or were you in fact atop a living, breathing steed? (Mustang knolling.)
You're very kind, Ellen. In the photo in question we're quite literally on a grassy knoll at roadside on Hwy #261 which is on a slight elevation about the car and the church's foundation.
Churches present fertile opportunity for interesting photos and unusual challenges to those exposures. The historic gothic cathedrals were designed to inspire the faithful with stunning architecture just as colorful vestments and pageantry were used to stimulate worship services. Of course, some denominations take the position that this is too much window dressing and opt for hard hitting Gospel and plane Jane buildings with commensurate dressing down in services.
The standard steel " Butler Building " used to house a lot of new churches just doesn't give us much to work with. We have, however, found a few very rustic and simple buildings which are moving almost if in different directions that classic styles. We're posting a classic church as we reply.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Post a Comment
<< Home