Visit to a Franciscan Monastery

[jamesmck]

I recently did a brief visit to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Northeast Washington, DC (http://www.myfranciscan.org/).  Though I had been there some years before (without camera), I returned mainly to check on photographic possibilities -- of which there are many.  The large photo below is of a garden path just inside the entrance to the grounds.  The remaining thumbnails show selected features inside and outside the building.  All photos taken with a Panasonic Lumix LX5.  Thanks for looking.

James




From left to right: Front Entrance; Multiple Arches; Side View; Roof Detail.

     

Left to right: One of the Large Altars; Sole Penitent; Stained Glass; Small Altar; Great Arch.

       


Finally, a wedding party arriving for some picture-taking.

[rgeorge911]

Wow.  I really missed out.  I knew I should've gotten past my laziness and gone with you...

Nice job, James.  Do I detect some motion blur in the interior shots?  Do they allow tripods?

At least we have a target for a future expedition!

Regards,
Reed

[Hoosier_Rich]

Very nice James! Not sure I could pick a fav but it looks like one could spend better part of a day there shooting with so many views.

[Dennis Gallus]

James,

I never knew that place existed.  It certainly has a 'foreign' charm about it.  I like the large photo, and also the multiple arches best. 

I was wondering, like Reed, did you use a tripod to get those?

Thanks for posting,
Dennis

[br1078lum]

That first photo could be in Italy, for all I know.  Very lovely shots, James.

PF

[lesged]

James,

Splendid coverage of the Franciscan Monastery.

Phil is right many of the exterior shots of the monastery have a strong Italian influence.
The first 5 photos are my favorites.

You capture the awe in the architecture. It's awfully good. Bravo!

[jamesmck]

Thanks very much for the comments, Reed, Rich, Dennis, Phil, and Les.  This was very much a reconnaissance venture, and a spur of the moment one at that, so I traveled very lightly with the petite LX5 (with EVF).  I did not use a tripod, so many of the interior shots were done at very low shutter speeds which resulted in some blurring.  I could have jacked up the ISO I guess, but that comes with its own problems.  The lighting is very dim in the church (even more so that in many other cathedrals I've seen), so a tripod would be a must for good work.  I don't imagine that there would be any objection to unobtrusive use of a modest tripod, but I don't know for sure.  I will definitely go back again with carefully chosen gear.

[radiophoto]

Very impressive, James!  I agree that it could very well be in Italy, there are so many beautiful, Renaissance-ish touches.  I particularly like your shots of the multiple arches and the stained glass windows.  St. Veronica, by the way, is the Patron Saint of Photographers. 

[Julio1fer]

Beautiful subject! especially for color. Thanks for sharing this awesome series, and hope you can keep coming there.

As said above, it would not be out of place in Italy or Spain.

[Nick Merritt]

How did I never know about this place?  I lived in D.C. for several years, and recently my wife worked right near there, at Trinity College (now University).  I'll need to go visit.  The priests at our church are Franciscans, and they are impressive people -- really "walk the walk."

[jamesmck]

Thanks, Pete and Julio.  All I can say is that the architect was Italian (http://www.myfranciscan.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=59).  Nick, let me know if you decide to visit.  The Brookland neighborhood in DC has many other photogenic religious architecturals (e.g., http://tinyurl.com/76yevjo).

James

[P C Headland]

That's a nice set.

Apart from things looking too nice and ordered, you'd be hard pressed to tell this was in NA.