In reality, it was a sermon and four baptisms, but that’s not quite as good a play on words.
The previous night, what with the drive back from Kansas City, I didn’t get home until one am. There was just time for a half an hour catch up with Ginger and then bed, so I could be ready for church in the morning.
I’d been warned in advance of the baptisms, so I just threw all the camera gear I’d taken to the diocese convention and Bishop’s Ball back in the van.
Taking pictures in church I try to be as unobtrusive as possible. No flash (during services) and I try to keep out of the way. With four baptisms and our traditional call to all the children to come up and watch, there was a huge crush around the font. I was so far back I didn’t think I’d be able to get any pictures. Fortunately, I noticed a gap near the door that everyone was avoiding because the main action around the fount was blocked from view. It looked and proved to be an excellent place for some candid shots. I spotted the picture of Fr. Ken leaning over the choir kids heads to light the candle after the second baptism, and just hoped no one would move so he had to stretch out to light the candle after the third too. He did, and I love the picture with all the choir kids intently watching as the candle was lit.
I’m glad I opted to go with the zoom as I was able to capture some of the action over the kid’s heads – though maybe in the above shot it would have made a better picture If I’d gone lower and included their out of focus heads, rather than an expanse of wall.
And I mentioned a sermon. Here’s Fr. Ken leaving the safety of the pulpit to pace the aisles – not something that happens very often, but a great relief to me. The pulpit must be located in the worst lit spot in the church.
As I had the light stands, umbrellas and flashes to hand I set them up for the formal pictures. And here they are along with the rest of the pictures.
Back in July, I was bemoaning the loss of my Photo Mojo, there’s a chance I might be getting a little bit of it back.
Copyright © 2013 Gary Allman, all rights reserved. For Christ Episcopal Church