Pilgram's Pulpit, Stephansdom, Vienna, Austria, 2003 photo

Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Six: Vantage Point makes the difference > Pilgram's Pulpit, Stephansdom, Vienna, Austria, 2003

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15-APR-2003

Pilgram's Pulpit, Stephansdom, Vienna, Austria, 2003

Medieval master craftsman Anton Pilgram's intricate Gothic pulpit soars towards the ceiling of the Stephansdom because of where I chose to stand. I did not choose this upward vantage point because it was "different" or "interesting". Rather, I chose it because I wanted to make a picture that best integrated the pulpit with its setting.

Canon PowerShot G2
1/8s f/2.0 at 7.0mm full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Phil Douglis		22-Oct-2005 04:43
Thanks, Christine. Whenever you tell me you like one of my pictures and why, you lift my spirits. I like this one too -- I never noticed those burned out windows until the pixel peepers started chirping about them. I was fascinated with those "false" attitudes myself. In medieval times, people probably looked like that when they worshipped. Today we look at such excessive piety with a grain of salt. In any event, this altar in Vienna is one of he world's most famous. I saw it first when when I visited Vienna in 1958, while in the Army. I was only 24, and I had never seen any thing like it before. I never forget my first impression, and when I returned to Vienna again 45 years later, I saw it through new eyes -- I saw not only the altar itself but its setting, and is why I took the vantage point I use here.

Guest		22-Oct-2005 04:22
I would have not noticed the glass windows if the previous comments had not mentioned it. My eyes went straight to the actual sculpture of the human faces. These characters speak volumes; I almost recognize people I know. The main one, in the middle, seems to want to look pious, but it looks like a fake prayer. Or maybe he is asking for charity, but it does not look genuine. I like this picture, Phil. Christine

Phil Douglis		13-Dec-2004 20:49
Thanks, Alister, for your comment on this image. As I mentioned to Erich and Rodney, as a travel photographer, I've learned to live with compromises. The washed out detail in those windows is a small price to pay for this naturally illuminated detailed view of a magnificent pulpit rising above us into the lofty heights of a great cathedral. I posted this picture here to make a teaching point about the power of a low, in-close vantage point with a true wide angle perspective. You recognize the value of the upward thrust of this image. As all of my images here, this picture is posted as a learning resource, not as a personal, stand-alone work of art intended to represent photographic perfection. As such, I have no concerns about the lack of detail in those windows.

alibenn		13-Dec-2004 16:06
I have no problem with the slightly burned out windows, it's not so overdone as to take anything away from the strengths of the image. I like the symmetry and the loftiness of the ceiling. The detail in the carvings themselves speak volumes for the creators skill. This works very well for me.

Phil Douglis		22-Oct-2004 01:26
Washed out windows are inevitable in situations like this. But then this image is not about the windows, its about the altar. As for B&W, I tried it, and when the old colors in the marble and ceiling are banished, the image becomes very cold and clinical. Not for me.

Guest		15-Oct-2004 00:11
Very striking. I personally do not mind the windows; maybe only metering the far right window would have 'maybe' helped). I wonder what this would look like in black and white....then you can do some more photography judo and use the windows' contrast to your advantage against the shades of grays and black

Phil Douglis		24-Apr-2004 20:18
Hi, Erich -- good hear from you again. You are right --the stained glass windows are indeed overexposed. It's a matter of priorities -- a natural looking image of this famous pulpit with pale windows in the background, or colorful windows with a gloomy pulpit. Of course I could have used a flash to brighten the pulpit, but most churches and museums frown on them, and I think most flash images look unnatural anyway. Since I never use a flash, I'll just try to take the best shot of this beautiful pulpit I can, since that is the subject of this image, and let the windows provide context, washed out or not!

EMangl		24-Apr-2004 11:15
very good angle - too bad about the windows, but it happens to me too all the time

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