Photographer's Note
St Paul's Cathedral is built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Soon afterwards a small wooden chapel was built elsewhere, and the area became a corn market until 1848, when it was made available for the building of the bluestone St Paul's Parish Church. Consecrated in 1852, that was used until 1885, when it was demolished to make way for the present Cathedral. The decision to build on the site of the existing church was made because of its proximity to the railway and soon to be completed cable tramway service. The Swanston Street and Flinders Street corner remains one of Melbourne's busiest intersections today, ensuring the Cathedral a place at the heart of city life.
The Architectural style of the Cathedral is described as Gothic transitional, being partly Early English and partly Decorated. It was designed by the distinguished English architect William Butterfield, who was noted for his ecclesiastical work, and the foundation stone was laid in 1880. Butterfield steadfastly refused to visit Melbourne and the building program was beset with all the problems that arise from management by remote control. He resigned from the project briefly in 1882 and finally in 1884, and the building was completed under the supervision of Joseph Reed, who designed many of Melbourne's public buildings. Nonetheless, St Paul's remains Butterfield's final masterpiece.
On 22 January 1891 the Cathedral was consecrated, but it was not the building we see today. The erection of the spires did not begin until 1926, and then to the design of John Barr of Sydney rather than using the original design of an octagonal central tower and gable west end towers of Butterfield. In the 1960s there was extensive work carried out on the exterior, and in 1989 a major National Trust appeal to enable the restoration of the Cathedral's magnificent organ. It is acknowledged as the finest surviving work of T. C. Lewis, one of the greatest English organ builders of the second half of the nineteenth century.
St Paul's enjoys a long tradition of the musical excellence, and is one of the very few Anglican Cathedrals outside the British Isles to have a Choral Evensong on Sundays and most weeknights. Organ recitals are an integral part of Cathedral life, as are other music recitals, drama and art exhibitions.
The Cathedral also has one of the few peals of thirteen bells outside the British Isles, and they are a regular feature of Wednesday evening in Melbourne, when the bell ringers may be heard practising from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.
The view here was taken from right behind the man entrance.
FL 24mm
ISO 400
F/11
Exp 2 sec
mortijo, pauloog, adores, patdeph, isabela_sor, shevchenko, jhm, axiotea, magalik, jusninasirun, phwall, trekks έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη
Critiques | Translate
ktanska
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4497 W: 62 N: 7824]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(44492) 2009-10-07 3:55
Hi Alfred,
Sharp and well exposed shot of this church interior. Full of details. Central framing is a good choice for such theme.
Kari
sacavem
(18620) 2009-10-07 3:57
Olα Alfred,
A magnificent photo of interior. Good shot.
Good work to capture this image. Very good colour, contrast and definition.
Regards,
Filipe
HimalAnda
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1028 W: 7 N: 1055]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(10671) 2009-10-07 4:43
Hello Alfred,
A perfect exposition and a perfect sharpness, a lot of symetry in the image... This is a very good picture.
Stιphane
mortijo
(12828) 2009-10-07 5:03
An extremely well realised interior shot. Light management is absolute top of the art. Perfect colors and sharpness.
Congratulations,
John
mkamionka
(73440) 2009-10-07 6:23
Really beautiful interior.
Nice presentation,
thanks for sharing,
M
porto62
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 179 W: 39 N: 170]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(2313) 2009-10-07 6:48
Hi Alfred,a wonderfull shoot so clear and sharp.Great colours and a perfect symetry.BRAVO,Alain
DINOZOR
(16452) 2009-10-07 7:12
Hello Alfred,
Je trouve cette photo superbe et impressionnante en raison de la multitude de dιtails qu'elle comporte et dont la lecture est facilitιe par une bonne nettetι et une bonne maξtrise de la lumiθre.
Bravo pour cette rιussite et TFS.
cordialement.
pauloog
(11751) 2009-10-07 8:44
Hello Alfred,
A wonderful view of the cathedral interior, literally from top to bottom. Very good light and the tiling so well integrated in the composition.
Regards,
Paul
LOOOK13
(19046) 2009-10-07 9:00
Salut.
C'est net et sans bavure, grande profondeur, couleurs sobres et efficaces, trιs bon cadrage, et belle dιcouverte...
Bravo.
sonkai
(1105) 2009-10-07 12:57
Hi Alfred,
Perfect sharpness and symmetry,really the way this kind of building was built to impress and to diminish the spectator.I think the exposure time you used gives to the picture the right light and tones.TFS.
Regards,
Sonsoles
adores
(46979) 2009-10-07 15:00
Hi Alfred!
Great shot of this church, but it must have been difficult, considering the light! The exposure is perfect. I like the light and the pattern of the pavement. Even those persons on the right are perfect.
delpeoples
(60342) 2009-10-07 21:25
Ciao dear Alfred, ka-ching! You've hit the jackpot here. This photo is just fan-bloody-tastic. The 2 second exposure was perfectly chosen and has lit up that amazing floor, superbly exposed the stained glass a the altar, given great light to the ceiling and the reflection off the floor is dynamic. Great shot, you must be so delighted with it! I am! TFS, Lisa.
patdeph
(35750) 2009-10-07 22:09
hello Alfred
this is splendid!There is an excellent sharpness,and we can see all the numerous details!The colors and the light are very beautiful!
Regards
Pascale
isabela_sor
(47748) 2009-10-07 22:16 [Comment]
skippy007
(12510) 2009-10-07 22:23
Hello Alfred, I would like to echo Lisa's comments & congratulate you on this one, excellent shot & even if I was looking for faults I honestly would not be able to find a single one. Colour, detail & exposure, perfect, 2 sec & no tripod, well done my friend. This takes me back there.
I have posted a link to Sir William Clarke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_John_Clarke)who donated £10,000 for the building fund of St Paul's cathedral and £7000 for Trinity College, Melbourne University. One might say he was also the founding father of the cricking "Ashes" first played on his property at Rupertswood Sunbury. Sorry to bore you with this but he was an interesting fellow, I could not let this pass without his mention.
chawax
(20764) 2009-10-08 11:05
Hi Alfred,
A very beautiful view on this cathedral ! The framing is very good, with great perspective lines. Colours and sharpness are excellent. Well done !
Regards,
Olivier
shevchenko
(20560) 2009-10-08 20:14
Hi Alfred,
Tidy shoot to show the complicated strctures, fantastic color and ligghting, it is so artistic, I like the patterns, distinct indoor photo, well done.
Ally
jhm
(211734) 2009-10-09 3:45
Hello Alfred,
What a lovely perspective through the fantastic choice of your angle.
Right on the altar, what a floor, this is nice artwork.
Very well composition, very lovely place.
Good of colour, nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.
Have a nice weekend,
John.
axiotea
(21651) 2009-10-09 21:39
Bonjour Alfred
Vow! What an excellent presentation of this beautiful cathedral's interior and I really mean it ;) Such fine exposure, sharpness and colors which are nicely rendered! The details, the geometric patterns of the shiny floor are superb too!
I just add this picture in my 'more fav.pict.' theme!
Amitiιs
Marilyn
magalik
(6103) 2009-10-10 5:50
Waouh !!
Really nice also Alfred !!
The cathedral but your photo also !
I am impressed by the fact that you succeeded in capturing such a height and such a depth with such a quality. And without distortion.
Colors are wonderful !
You have really much talent in photography.
Very pleased to have discovered your gallery !
Magali
jusninasirun
(17529) 2009-10-11 19:31
Hi Alfred.
This shot is amazing with the light giving out pleasing ambiance. You have perfected the tall frame symmetry really well with a pinch of human interest. Detail from floor to ceiling is just brilliant and this should go to the Church's book. Thanks for sharing and best regards.
Jusni
p/s:
1. Yes, if things are according to plan, Bill will be visiting me in late December.
2. I was shooting with Canon P&S as I shoot film most of the time now (in Flickr). That little devil is pretty handy and the result is not too bad as well. :-)
phwall
(6787) 2009-10-12 5:08
My dear Alfred,
Yes, yes and another yes. A brilliant photograph, you've really raised the bar with this magnificent capture.
The detail throughout is fantastic, especially the floor. I'll bet this one makes those Canonistas jealous.
This reminds me of my days as an alter boy, although Lisa would never believe I could have ever been that angelic.
Super work my friend.
Regards
Peter
sacimar
(38173) 2009-11-03 8:57
Hi ALfred,
good picture, I like this perspective, the cathedral is impressive, excellent details and light management, well done,
Best regards
Sergio
ls7902
(7380) 2009-11-20 21:17
Fantastic details & rich colors ... like a page from a magazine. The stained glass at the back is well exposed. Great work. Regards. Latiff.
ManuMay
(36447) 2009-12-20 22:11
Hi Alf!
A great capture!!!!
The best point of view and a very good colours definition and details, even light management is great,not easy in these conditions...a very good work!
Congratulations...
Have a nice day...
Manuel
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Alfred tdl (alftrek)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 320 W: 53 N: 846]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(3270) - Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2009-09-26
- Categories: Καθημερινότητα, Αρχιτεκτονική
- Camera: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S, 77mm UV Filter
- Έκθεση: f/11, 2 δευτερόλεπτα
- More Photo Info: view
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): Churches [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2009-10-07 3:04
Discussions
- To skippy007: Painting Again? (1)
by alftrek, last updated 2009-10-08 07:18 - To skippy007: Not yet (1)
by skippy007, last updated 2009-10-12 04:48
