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Thomas_1
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Fenton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
| First Name: | Tom | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Catholic = Searching |
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 11:40 am |
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Hello, I’m interested in photography and was wondering what the proper ethics would be for taking pictures inside of a church. I don’t mean taking any pictures during a Mass, but taking them after the service when most the people have left. Here in St. Louis we have many beautiful church’s some dating over 200 years old.
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2072 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 02:07 pm |
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Hi, Tom. Here is the way it works in my diocese.
Discreet picture-taking outside of Mass or other activities is usually considered permissible even without permission. If your project is more extensive — for instance, if you would like to set up lights or otherwise bring in more equipment than a hand-held camera — you should ask the pastor for permission and arrange times and procedures before proceeding.
Photographing or videotaping is sometimes allowed during Mass if there is a specific Church-related purpose for it. Permission is required, although I have seen many people at baptisms, confirmations, first communions and parish celebrations presuming on the pastor’s permission. Generally, all it takes is a “Father, could I bring my camera for the XX event, just to get a picture of YY?” Most of the time the answer will be, “Sure, you can do that. Just don’t be taking pictures throughout the whole event. That’s intrusive. We’ll require you to stand in such-and-such a position so as not to interfere with the proceedings, but you are welcome to take one or two pictures of the actual moment.”
In my parish, the Sunday vigil Mass is videotaped six or eight times a year for presentation on the local diocese-owned television channel for the benefit of shut-ins. This is always arranged with the pastor beforehand by diocesan officials and the TV station. The pastor then works up a special homily and other commentary with the television viewers in mind.
David
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5347 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Feb 11th, 2007 03:51 pm |
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Thomas_1 wrote:
Hello, I’m interested in photography and was wondering what the proper ethics would be for taking pictures inside of a church. I don’t mean taking any pictures during a Mass, but taking them after the service when most the people have left. Here in St. Louis we have many beautiful church’s some dating over 200 years old.
Taking pictures in an empty church is seldom a problem. If the church is particularly old, you might want to ask permission as sometimes flash photography can harm delicate works of art. If you need to have the lights turned on or otherwise need special access, you should certainly ask permission at the parish office.
In taking pictures, you should avoid the sacred areas of the church such as the sanctuary, the area around the tabernacle, etc. That doesn't mean you can't take pictures of them, but that you shouldn't enter those areas without permission.
And of course, be respectful. Don't climb the stairs to the choir loft or climb up on the pews or scale the columns or hang from the rafters without permission.
Many churches have funds set up for maintenance, and if you are going to use the pictures commercially, it would certainly be appropriate to ask permission and offer a portion of your profits to the church building fund.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Thomas_1
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Fenton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
| First Name: | Tom | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Catholic = Searching |
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Posted: Mon Feb 12th, 2007 09:10 pm |
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Thanks for the replies. This is a picture I took this weekend.
Tom.
Attachment: 1111.JPG (Downloaded 30 times)
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5347 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Feb 12th, 2007 09:33 pm |
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| If you post pictures here (which is permitted) please make sure they are as small as possible without degrading the quality too much, and please identify the church and location. Some of us might want to visit there some day! And if I were you, I would include a copyright notice so that no one can legally steal and publish it without your permission.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Thomas_1
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 18th, 2007 |
| Location: | Fenton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 6 |
| First Name: | Tom | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised Catholic = Searching |
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Posted: Mon Feb 12th, 2007 11:54 pm |
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Thanks, I cropped it to 640x450 at 80kbs. Is that still to large?
The church is called The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. It is the largest mosaic collection in the world created by 20 different artists and covering 83,000 square feet. If you ever come to St. Louis, Mo I would strongly suggest seeing this beautiful church.
In 1999 His Holy Highness Pope John Paul II held a Vespers service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Boulevard.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5347 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 12:34 am |
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Thomas_1 wrote: Thanks, I cropped it to 640x450 at 80kbs. Is that still to large?
No, that's fine. I just don't want a whole bunch of 3-4 mb pictures cluttering up the system hard drive and slowing down the system. Some people, especially in other countries, are still on dial-up, and we have to be careful not to drive them away.
Thanks for your cooperation. It's a beautiful cathedral.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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