Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Basilica of Saint Mary (part 1)

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

First up let me say that I feel like big fuzzy pink something-or-other has taken up residence in my chest.  Yes, my grandson was so sweet and special to share his cold with me and breathing has become an effort.  Well, when you can't breathe, not enough oxygen gets to your brain, so you can't think so well either.  Luckily I prepared this post yesterday, before the oxygen deprivation began.  But if the elephant doesn't remove his tail from my lungs and lift his big furry pink butt off my chest I will be slow making the rounds.  Please forgive me.  Now on with the show.


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Recently, I had the opportunity to admire The Basilica of St Mary, in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, up close and personal.


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It’s 100 years old this year and was the first Basilica in America, and it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.


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But I really don’t want to overload you with words when I have so many photos to share. I tried to weed it down, but there were so many I liked or so many features I wanted to share. The place is huge! And beautifully intricate! And old!


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I loved the shadow on the wall - see it?




All of these were taken with the Canon 40D, 50mm 1.8 lens, handheld, with no flash, ISO 640 and shutter speeds of 8-15. Yes, I hate using a tripod so much that I handhold as low as possible, even if I have to hold my breath. When I first started I was lucky to shoot at 30 without the tripod, now I can go down to 8. I don’t think I’ll ever top that.



Oh, btw, Happy Halloween!


UPDATE: Part 2 is located here.

37 comments:

  1. Those pictures are absolutely beautiful. Great angles too. I also hate the tripod (hence,I wade through many a blurry picture).
    I prescribe NyQuil for the big pink hairy monster.

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  2. I'm such a sucker for stained glass. And, I adore the shot of The Assumption with the angle you have. She looks like she's ethereal. And, the candles with the statue is so quieting and actually humbles.

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  3. Sorry about the cold. The shots are all beautiful. I love the last one with the shadow.

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  4. just gorgeous...I love the stained glass one, beautiful

    I am sorry you are sick...I think my body is trying to fight something off right now also..

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  5. Beautiful photo of a beautiful building. I especially like the way you captured the candles.

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  6. Those pictures are beautiful.

    Happy Halloween.

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  7. Awesome! And awesome again that you can hold steady to take handhelds at 30 let alone 8! I guess the 1.8 lens helps...as does being able to shoot at 640 ISO without too much grain. But still, it's pretty damn impressive :-)

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  8. GORgeous shots - are you still out of town? Feel better!!!!!!!

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  9. Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures Lisa! The angles, the colors, all of it!!

    I really hope your pink fuzzy friend doesn't stick around for too long!!!

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  10. Awesome pics Lisa! I really loved the one of the candles, and the stained glass one.....oh! And the last one with the shadow. Hope the cold doesn't attack you and you are feeling much better tomorrow!! Get some sleep girl!

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  11. I was lucky enough to go inside of the St Louis Church in New Orleans and your pictures just brought back those wonderful memories. Such beauty. I always love the stain glass. You really captured this nicely.

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  12. really lovely shots! love the lighting and the stain glass windows

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  13. Ooooh I feel very humble Lisa, you're such a talented photographer.
    This series is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    Take care of yourself, and try to get rid of that pink fuzzy something as soon as possible!
    Happy Halloween!

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  14. I love the stained glass and candles, BEAUTIFUL!
    I hope your feeling better soon, it's no fun being under the weather.

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  15. Beautiful!

    I hope you feel better.

    Rebecca

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  16. Sorry you're not feeling well. I was out one day this week with a sore throat/lost voice etc. Ick! But your pics, as always, are gorgeous! Some photographers excel at landscapes, others do well with detailed or macro photos, still others are best at photographing people. Now, how is it that you seem to excel no matter what kind of photo you take? That's a true gift :-) Happy Friday!

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  17. Amazing angle of shot, perfect contrast and splendid colors on the stained glass images. WOW what a lovely series...Lisa

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  18. it is a beautiful place. i think i like the stained glass shots best. and happy halloween to you too! hope you are better soon.

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  19. The Basilica is an incredibly beautiful church! Great shots!

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  20. Amazing! Such detail and beauty is something so old. You did a fabulous job with this shoot. Thank you for sharing!

    Happy Halloween!

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  21. You don't strike me as a tripod kind of gal, Lisa. That first shot made me feel as if I were there.
    Want to feel better? Three words: Freakfest Parent's Night

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  22. Awesome photography! Visited several of your sites and archives. All amazing!

    Happy Halloween!

    BTW: Love the crisp and simple template. Allows my eye to focus on the photography :).

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  23. These are ALL truly amazing. All of the detail work is gorgeous, and I am always drawn to stained glass. Beautiful shots.

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  24. Beautiful, beautiful place, and beautiful shots. I also, hate the tripod and therefore don't always have very clear shots... but maybe I'll grow up to be like you and can hold still enough for an 8!

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  25. Leave it to the 40D! I just adore your trips Lisa, this was just spec.tac.u.lar my friend!!

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  26. It is a beautiful place isn't it!! your photos are spectacular!!
    And have a Happy Halloween!!!

    oohh psss..load up on vicks!! The best is Vapor bath by jonson's 7 Johnson's i can't be with out it!! hope your feeling better!!

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  27. Wow! Add this to my list of must someday see. Gorgeous photographs.

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  28. That shadow picture just gave me the kind of chills the catholic church has been giving me since I was a kid. VERY cool! (remind me to tell you about my wedding) Anyway, the pictures are gorgeous and I'm glad you shared. Now I have another reason to travel up there and visit that city!
    Hope you feel better soon--alka seltzer plus cold medicine knocks me out in about 5 minutes with a delightful little buzz-like feeling all over--it's fantastic stuff--and legal!

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  29. WOW wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing! Never knew America has such lovely places to visit.

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  30. Lisa,
    These are extraordinary photos. Beautifully done, as ever. I feel inspired just looking at them. You place me right in the spirit of the art. I hope you feel better soon. God bless.

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  31. Love all the shots. hope you feel better yet.

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  32. That is exquisite! I love it! And those were wonderful shots. I like the shadow, too. Get better quick.

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  33. What an amazing place, and equally spectacular photos to go with it. Only you can be such a good tour guide--especially without a tripod! Impressive.

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  34. Wow, those photos are seriously breathtaking!!

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  35. I really love the stained glass shots. And I'm still marveling at how steady a hand you have shooting at shuuter speeds that slow handheld. If you ever need a recommendation for sniper school, this would probably do it. Amazing.

    My tripod is my friend. Srsly. It's not so fun to lug around, though I've figured out a way to make that less onerous. But I'm usually shooting a much longer lens too. And believe me, it makes a (big) difference. I think having the right tripod helps... or at least having a good tripod. I know I hate using my Manfrotto a lot less than I hated using the cheap lightweight I picked up at WalMart (or maybe KMart... one of those Marts anyway). That thing was definitely not built to use with an SLR/DSLR of any size at all.

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