How to Photograph Inside Cathedrals and Churches - A Step by Step Guide

[@johnleftwich650]

An excellent tutorial Julian. The images are beautiful.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Thanks John! There isn't a lot out there on this type of photography so I thought that I'd change that!

[@tonyb2760]

A lot of useful information and beautiful images to support it. Thanks for sharing

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Morning Tony. Thanks for that! Hope you found it useful 😀

[@oldtomsphotos]

Thank you. Informative and very helpful.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

No problem. Glad to help.

[@WilliamLesourd]

The slideshow is great. Bravo

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Thanks William for your continued support :) It's appreciated so much!!!

[@gerardferry3958]

A flippy screen would be a godsend for you, cathedral, godsend, I'll get my coat

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

You know, I used to use the Canon app tethered to my smart phone but it's not connecting for some reason. No idea why and it's a pain as that's a really useful app.

[@merci_beautè]

Thanks!

[@familyread7889]

These cathedrals are pure beauty!!! Iv been to Peterborough Lincoln and Ely so far. All completely stunning.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more. The architects of yesteryear created some stunning buildings.

[@salisburyphotocentre1467]

Great video Julian

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Thanks for that Ian 😀 I made sure out own glorious cathedral got in at the end.

[@AhmetElhann]

I've searched this because I will travel to Europe next week and I will be visiting big churhes. These are amazing tips, thanks for the video. Yet, I don't think I will be able to use my tripod and there will probably be a lot of people.

[@KamilROfficial]

You absolutely smashed it. Great Video! 😁

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Thank you Kamil 😀The comments are appreciated!!!

[@KamilROfficial]

@@JulianElliottPhotography Np buddy! As a creator i also love that human interaction in the comments. It Shows really shows that other actually care and appreciate your work 😊

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

@@KamilROfficial you know, i always try my utmost to respond to all comments on my videos. To me it's important that I interact with the people who like what it is that I'm doing. Once again it's really really appreciated 😀

[@grahamclark2299]

Superb video Julian, I work with a Nikon D850 and 24mm PC-E but you've got me thinking about the 19mm PC-E now!

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

I'm like you, I only had the 24mm but the 17mm just had to be bought!!! Appreciate the comments too 😀

[@dilliboirubirosa9638]

The 19mm is my workhorse. Once it came out I bought it, sold the 24 and never looked back!

[@dilliboirubirosa9638]

Nice video, Julian. I do Romanesque churches mostly and use 3 tilt-shifts: 19mm, 45 and 85mm on a Z7 II mirrorless body (I am a Nikon user). I use that Benro head too, I have an Arca Swiss Cube that’s better but too costly to drag around the countryside! I also use a 100-400 for details. You are right to insist on the need to have straight verticals in church photography, of course. Two more tips: have a lighter to light all those candles that give a special atmosphere, and... a dustbuster to dust up the cobwebs on those historied capitals...

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi there. Thanks for the kind feedback. How do you find those Nikon lenses? Are they similar to the Canon in the way they work? And some good tips too!

[@fernandopascullo]

30:06 Oh yeah, Salamanca! Wish all cathedrals allowed you to go to those balconies.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Absolutely! Not a lot do but those that do are awesome. Salisbury, Siena, Trani and Salamanca off the top of my head.

[@MochtaqFawzi]

Hi .. I am doing research for ancient churches and I need capable camera for stills and good lens for taking photos for inside and also a good lens for icon and manuscripts what can you recommend for me??

[@timeslikethese6379]

Julian, do you do any color corrections with such interior images? Thank you for this very detailed video. -Michael

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi Michael. I’ll usually go with the AWB from the camera as it’s pretty good. If it looks too strong of a cast then yes I’ll correct it.

[@fernandopascullo]

17:27 How do you find the centre? Many times I photograph upwards, I later find that I'm off by a bit and it really ruins the composition. I try my best to find clues on the floor, and guides in the camera lens, but still. Any tips on this?

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi Fernando. By doing exactly as you describe. I look up and try to find the various markers. But you have to remember that with a lot of these buildings that they move etc and so you'll never really get it exact.

[@steveh1273]

Very nice work and explanations. You are very fortunate to know the language and have the knowledge to work the red tape/protocol. I've been to France four times and have been rather rudely treated concerning the tripod or taking any photos that I may sell. I think it was because I am American. Also, I'm very surprised you didn't have tourists wondering through the churches when you were there. Thanks for sharing the beautiful architectures. What music are you using for this? It's great.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Morning Steve! Thanks for the kind comments on the tutorial. It's appreciated knowing the work that I do is useful to people. France can be a bit of a funny place with the tripod police. Sometimes you just luck out but other times it doesn't seem to be a problem. It's a shame but what can you do? Notre Dame de Paris for example was always a problem unless you had asked for permission. Sainte Chappelle over the road from the cathedral is another whereby you get problems but that's more understandable as there isn't a lot of space there. No tourists? I filmed it on Tuesday morning so typically everyone is back at work. Le Mans isn't high up on people's list. Typically they think of the city in terms of the 24 Hours race however the old city is really nice to visit. Music provided by the cathedral running through his chops 😀

[@steveh1273]

@@JulianElliottPhotography thanks for your reply, the music I asked about was the music at the end of your video. It sounds like the soundtrack from Twin Peaks. It wasn't noted in your information. This is not the church music. Looking forward to your next one.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

@@steveh1273 no problems. It's by Peter Sandberg and called Butterflies. I use Epidemic Sound for the vlog music. Next vlog. Note sure actually. I thought I could go out tomorrow but forgot I have something else. But I do have some ideas for Sunday depending on the weather.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Very nice, do you keep/carry both a TS 17 and a TS24 with you? I knew of the TS24 and that you has a 1.4x you were using with it. Tnx for sharing and for the useful advice.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi Dimitris. I am currently carrying both with me. That may change when I start traveling again though.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

@@JulianElliottPhotography Cool I thought with your 1.4x you could get away just with the 17. I once bought a used 17 but I had to sen it back cause it wasn't right. I'd like ti have another go with TS lenses at some point. But I'm also holding out for their RF versions. Allegedly they will be able to AF. Which will be a game changer as I we could get away from using the tripod all the time. At any rate I'm based in Bordeaux. If you happen to be in the neighbourhood photographing and fancy some company drop me a line.Take care - D

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

@@dimitristsagdis7340 With only the 17mm then I can't use the 24 and 1.4x to get a 35mm :) I've heard about the RF supposed AF TS lenses. Be interesting to see how that goes. And Bordeaux? Not been there in AGES!!! I'd actually like to get back at some point as it's an excellent city.

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

​@@JulianElliottPhotography Yeah I know what you mean you have to get a 2x for that and it will become dark and IQ degrades a lot more than the 1.4x. I have both the 1.4 and 2x and I know first hand. The other solution is to crop of course :but you need more MPs to start with or a crop body you can get a used 80D for reasonable price and its not too heavy and DM is good :-) At any rate, indeed loads of beauties in and around Bordeaux (e.g. St Emilion) with old cathedrals n churches, chateaux, wine yards, etc. I'll be happy to drive you around n my wife is an excellent cook :-)

[@fernandopascullo]

5:20 where do you focus? for F11, do you just use a wide focus or pick a point? (the main altar?)

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

I tend to focus a third in then make sure to check once the image has been taken.

[@gordonmelrose57]

Another wonderful video Julian - thankyou. Do you have a background in architecture by any chance?

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi Gordon. Appreciate those comments 😀 I'm not trained in architecture. The nearest I got to that was in a previous life I worked in a planning office as a database administrator. When I'm in a cathedral or church etc then I look at it like this. An architect has created a work of art. It's then up to us to put our own spin on it and make it look as beautiful as it is.

[@arthurlbn]

Is there a way to imitate the tilt shit lens with a normal lens ? I say, maybe using a suport on tripod moving the camera, i dont know

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi Arthur. Well, the only way around it is to use transform. You can straighten things but you lose things on the edges. You have to go wider than you want to in order to try and get the image you want.

[@ONEJOURNEYONESTORY]

Did you use any filter lenses at all?

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

None at all for these images. They aren’t needed inside.

[@ONEJOURNEYONESTORY]

@@JulianElliottPhotography thank you. Will ND filter make images any better? Just curious. Thank you

[@johnleftwich650]

Why is there such a blue color cast on the back of the camera compared to the subsequent picture that you show?

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

That’ll probably be the GoPro John. It’s not the best at times. Then of course you’re seeing a still from a SLR.

[@johnleftwich650]

Julian Elliott Photography Yep I thought that might be it.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

If you add in whatever lighting they have in the cathedral then it probably drives that little GoPro nuts!!!

In this case you had the permission of the church to take these cool shots with a tripod, but unfortunately, in most of them you will have no permission. Especially in Europe and in the most famous ones. In that case, is there anything we can do? I mean, without a tripod.

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi there. It really depends on the church/ cathedral/ abbey. Some are fine and let you use a tripod. Some ask you pay a tripod fee. Or if you know you’re going somewhere then contact them and ask.

[@d.robert998]

It would be a lot easier to hear without the loud organ music in the background!

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Hi there. I know what you mean but sadly it's the only time I could get there. The organist was practising for most of the time that I was there filming.

[@danielsahagun4367]

Music is insane, We don’t need music

[@JulianElliottPhotography]

Well I was in a church. There wasn’t much I could do about it. I cannot really ask the organist to stop practicing.