church photography

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Phil
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I am considering going to shoot a local church this afternoon (seeing as the sun has come out :D ) for fun and some experience at indoor, low light stuff


I have a few questions having not been inside one since i was a nipper :lol:

1, is anybody allowed to just walk in off the street ?
2, are the doors always open ?
3, do i need to get permission to take shots inside ?
4, would it be acceptable to use a tripod ?

quick answers needed , think the suns disappearing ! lol
 
Most churches thse days I find are locked unless something is happening.
 
unless your a satanist im pretty sure you can just walk in. as for asking for permission i would ask the vicar just to be polite and respectful. it is tecknically a public building (assuming its a C of E church) so you could just shoot photos.

i deffinately recomend talking to the vicar though and just ask, i doubt he/she would say no as im sure they would like the know people appreciate the beauty of the church sorta thing.

i doubt the tripod would be an issue
 
We usually just go in; if open; and shoot. The only instances of photography not being allowed are some of the cathedrals where you have to buy a photograph permit costing a couple of pounds. Durham Cathedral does not allow photography at all so you have to be sneaky.


Only ever been questioned about photographing once and that was in Long Melford Church where they thought we were pros. However they let us photograph though they did keep an eye on us.

Yes you can use a tripod; never been a problem for us.

Jenny
 
There is a church near me I want to shoot the interior and I’ll be asking the vicar first.

A nice gesture might be to put £5.00 or so in any collection/donation box.
 
It varies church to church on whether they're open or not. If they're not then there's usually a noticeboard near by with a phone number. Those that have an issue about photography - and if they do it's normally (in my limited experience) related to aged works of art and the use of flash - should have a sign up about it. A talk with the vicar or church warden first should sort out any issues though.

And be nice and put a quid in the collection box.
 
I love the architecture of churches, dont forget to share when you get back :)

Heres one I took a while back just before my cousins christening.

church800600.jpg
 
Whoops, broken link and it's a private gallery too :(
 
68lbs said:
Would it show up? Lack of reflections in mirrors, etc. :shrug:
Click to expand...

It would show up as the image is not going through a mirror, but focusing and composing would be a problem as they are

( Waiting for DVD to burn)
 
No such difficulties in the rest of Europe. All the churches and cathedrals I have visited in Portugal, Spain and France have been open and do not inhibit photographers. If you want to see a stunning interior to a Cathedral then try La Mezquita in Cordoba.
 
Despite the answer given above, Church Of England churches are public places of worship under canon law which is not the same as a public place for civil and criminal law purposes. This is why theft from a closed church is termed a non-dwelling burglary rather than a theft since the offender is deemed to have entered as a trespasser.

Having taken my work hat off, incumbants and the laity concerned with a church building are usually inordiately proud of even the most unloveable of architectural monstrosities and when asked are unlikely to refuse a polite request to take pictures.

As has also been said it is common good manners to make a modest donation as a thank you since the financial situation of many parishes is increasingly parlous.
 
hope your "shoot"went ok.
for future reference.
IF you can find one open, go and ask someone if its ok to take a few shots.
DONT just wander in and start shooting.
some church bods can get VERY funny about church photography. and thats not just during weddings.
we always turn up early when we do weddings, ie, long before the vicar arrives.
i ALWAYS ASK WHOEVER IS ABOUT IF I CAN TAKE A FEW SHOTS.
seldom, but occasionaly , i have been told no.
good idea about the small "offering" .
as siad before, most church types are very proud of their edifice , and a litlle compliment goes a long way.
any pickies?
 
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