Although I had photographed the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in Taos on several occasions, I recently learned that there is an interesting feature to consider when thinking about visiting this beautiful structure. There are light-sensitive floodlights which turn on at dusk illuminating the statue of Francis and the frontal exterior of the building. Constructed between 1772-1815, no less a luminary than Georgia O’Keeffe described it as “one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards.” In the gloaming, the marble statue of the good saint, as well as the adobe walls of the church, seem to glow with an inner light that makes the scene, for me, all the more poignant and special. A focal length of 20mm allowed me the angle-of-view I wanted in a visual field that had to be carefully constructed so as to include essential elements and exclude non-essential ones without mergers or other distractions. An aperture of f/13 and a shutter speed of 30.0 seconds at ISO 100 provided depth-of-field and noise control with an overall very slightly-darker-than-medium exposure. It just barely allowed me to avoid having to use the “bulb” setting on my camera. The scene was a gift to my spirit.
How beautiful !!!! Thank you
Definitely a scene for the turmoil of our times and hopefully some healing. Glad you and Bonnie are home safe. Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo.
Absolutely beautiful image!
Very appropriate for this time of year – the photograph is exquisite. Thank you for sharing.
Ethereal.
Well done my friend!
This is an awesome photo. The lighting makes it so unique. I really like it. Congratulations.
A beautiful, calming, spiritual, and uplifting image. Actually being there to experience it must be totally awsome. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Love the lines, angles and soft curves of the mission and the lighting definitely evokes emotion. Prefer God-made landscapes to man-made structures but this image could actually qualify as God-made. Fine art.
Beautiful, Don. And thanks for sharing … that was a gift to my spirit. Looking forward to the Solistice.
Patience is a virtue. Waiting for the light certainly made it possible to create this breath taking image. And waiting until now to share it with us makes it more special. Thank you!
What a wonderful image. It connects on so many levels and is so nice at this time of the year. Thank you for all that you share!
I love Taos and I love this picture!
Stunning!
Hello Everyone. Thank you all for joining me for this conversation. This Image is one I had wanted to share from previous trips to Taos, but when I learned of the floodlights, I knew I had to wait to return so that I could play with the new idea. As with all similar images of the church and its statue, camera placement and precise focal length were absolutely essential.I really appreciate all of the words all of you have chosen to describe your reaction from Duke’s “ethereal” to Warren’s “stunning.” Nancy R., thanks for your kind comment. Thank you, Dave Gorke, for your kind words. You have been here with me and you know how special it is even under ordinary circumstances. Jessyca, you were first to say something about the lighting, and the soft artificial light from the floods makes all of the difference. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Nancy T., “calming and uplifting” were very much how I felt about being there Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. I’m wishing for a very healthy 2016 for all of us. Sharon, the lines of this place are so amazing as they are, but with the added light they seem to take on different dimensions. Thank you for offering that observation and for appreciating what was done. I’m not a huge fan of man’s work either, but I have to make exception with places like this. “Inspired” might be an appropriate word here. Hey Pat, we hope you and Sue had a wonderful solstice also. We certainly did. As always, I appreciate your kind words. Judy, as I stood there waiting for those lights, I was beginning to wonder if they were a myth – even though I could plainly see them on the ground. I think it’s the idea of the “possible” that allows us to remain in place when other voices tell us it’s okay to go. Thanks for your thoughtful observation. Nancy K. and Karen, thanks for sharing your responses. I, too, love Taos and the beauty of New Mexico. It is very much a “Land of Enchantment.” And I did somehow feel that this was an Image peculiarly suited for this time of the year, particularly because of what we know of Francis’ life and work. He must have been a gentle soul who loved the natural world and all of God’s creation. Merry Christmas to All, and have a blessed and Happy New Year. I hope our paths will cross in 2016.
And a gift to us!
Hey Joani. Thank you very much for joining us. It’s always good to have you here; and I appreciate your kind comments. All of you – my photographic family – are gifts to me. Have a wonderful Christmas.