Fine Art Photography at Saint Anne’s Church in Fall River
So many times as I have driven through the city of Fall River, and have often marveled at the beauty of St. Anne’s Church and though how amazing it would be to photograph the church. I really enjoy architectural photography
Located at the top of the hill across from Kennedy Park, the church is an impressive structure from the outside. In the afternoon sunlight the structure absolutely glows.
On a recent trip to the city I went to the church and talked with the Priest about taking photographs of the inside of the building. He was very proud of his church, and kindly showed me around the building and let me take my time just looking around, sketching out ideas and taking notes. It was far more beautiful on the inside then I had ever imagined, and on that bright sunny afternoon the light coming in the stained glass windows was magical. At the back of the church is a gigantic pipe organ, larger then any I have ever seen. The organ contains 4,512 pipes varying in length from only 7 inches long to over 32 feet in length!
On Sunday I returned with my camera, knowing that I had several hours between an early wedding and an evening service to work on my photography. It was a rainy day, so the powerful sunlight was not shining through the stained glass as I had hoped, but that may have been a blessing in disguise. As I stood in the center of the dark and quiet church it almost seemed wrong to put my iPod on. The thought singing and dancing to music only I could hear would somehow be out of place. I left the music in my bag, and worked in quiet solitude.
I took far fewer photographs then I normally do, and I often found myself simply walking around admiring the grand scale, intricate carvings and statues, and the warm, inviting tomes of the red oak ceiling and pews. Oddly I took no photographs of the item that occupied so much of my attention on the first trip – the organ. Not sure why or how, but I somehow found myself just about out of time.
I am looking forward to another visit to this gorgeous church, in the hopes of capturing more of the stained glass and the organ. In the meantime I hope you enjoy the photographs below!
Saint Annes Church
The appearance of the church just after you enter the main doors to the facility. One cannot help but stop and take in the massive size and beauty of the church.
Saint Annes Church
Nestled away deep in a corner of the church, this confessional glows in warm wooden tones and deep, rich red velvet. Under the glow of a stained glass window I struggled to find a composition that I liked for the image.
Saint Annes Church
The photograph above was taken from almost floor level, with the camera tilted up to capture as much of the alter and the ceiling as possible. With a wide angle lens, I felt that the distortion of a 10mm lens combined with the extreme angle would help to convey the sense of roundness in this area of the church.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you come back again soon!