Tips for photographing stained glass windows

Crazyhorse

Crazyhorse

Messages
1,331
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi

Could anyone give me and tips for photographing stained glass windows please?

Would you use a polariser, any other filters etc? What's the best lens to use, eg wide angle, extreme wide angle, or maybe a zoom?

Any suggestions, hints, tips for unusual jaunty shots?

Anybody got any examples of photos they've taken which they'd like to share?

Many thanks in anticipation. :thumbs:

Lisa
 
I took some shots when I first got my D90 whilst having a wonder around, window in a window seemed to work...

 
For maximum flexibility use a zoom. If you stand too close looking up at the window you will get horrible converging vertcals, so if possible stand at a distance.

Can't imagine a polariser would help.

Remember to meter for the window. The church itself will probably be a lot darker, so if there is a lot of it in the image you will get an overexposed window.

Tripod. You may need to ask permission or even pay for a permit.
 
Metered in Centre weighted average mode, Sigmna 24-70 f/2.8 @ 70mm, f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 400, P mode, Nikon D700.
4016809820_5d741d32cb_o.jpg

No filters, handheld and shot head on with the camera at the level of the centre of the window (as close as I could judge!). Slower and smaller aperture would have been better but St Margaret's Chapel was rather busy and I didn't have a tripod with me anyway!
 
line up at right angles
pray for sunlight on your side of the building
leave some architecture in...the masonry
get some history of the window...they usually have some..or a scripture reading
there may be a narrative near the window to that effect
as for photographing...be steady



Exposure: f/2.8, 1/30 seconds
 
Walking past some open doors and I saw a small church, found this window, it was around five meters high and I must have been around eight or nine meters away, no tripod, just leaning on backpack.

It was pitch black in there too.

f/4 - 1/20sec - Spot - 172mm - ISO100
4016960595_f0d3383f5d_o.jpg
 
Hi

Thanks for the replies and fantastic examples, it's greatly appreciated. Hoping to get out this week to have a try with stained glass windows.

Thanks again. :thumbs:

Lisa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top