Snowflake Temple - First Night Image

     I've photographed architectural exteriors for years and I've always liked the look of an artificially lit exterior with the deep blue of the twilight sky. Ideally, I'm able to use my own dozen or so lights and control the color, direction, and intensity of the artificial light. That's usually not an option with Temples. Some Temples have widely varying lights, both in color and intensity. Take a look at the towers of the Logan Temple in a night shot.
     Because the human eye tends to even things out, we see colors more neutral than they really are and don't notice the wide range of contrast that usually exists.
     I brought my gear along on a day-trip to Snowflake and planned for a post-sunset shot. I had the big tripod, but no ladder, so I set up as far back as I could and ended up standing on a wall. It was mid-February and fairly cold, but luckily I had no wind. You'll notice that the bare trees are standing pretty still. The exposure time was about 30 seconds and you can see the movement in the clouds, especially on the left side.
     The lighting isn't too bad. The color near the middle is a little greenish and the light on the spire is so intense that it reflects white in a couple of places. Notice the warmer lights near the entrance. If the interior lights had been on, you would have seen the narrow vertical windows warmly back-lit. As I mentioned before, look at the pyramid-shaped shadow above the entrance. 

 

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Comments

  • 2/1/2008 6:39 AM Angel Moroni wrote:
    As usual with this series, the quality of the photography exceeds the quality of the architecture. This Temple looks as if the clunky Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C. had sprouted a weather vane -- but beautifully photographed, nevertheless. If you want subject-matter worthy of your skill with the camera, I suggest you document churches designed by the early American architect, Asher Benjamin.
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  • 2/22/2008 9:27 PM jani wrote:
    I have to have this in the sepia. This is the best picture of the Snowflake Temple. I have been looking so long for a professional, real professional, picture and they never seem to have it. I found this at the Deseret Book store in Chandler, I could have sworn I saw this in sepia and I didn't get it. I went back after I found where I was going to hang it and they didn't have it. I have to have it. Can I order it from you? I HAVE TO HAVE IT. This picture is absolutely amazing. Please email me to let me know how to order this. Thank you for your talent.
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