Taking photos in church

[Nikolaostheservant]

LOL!  No wonder my ears were burning!  

Do you think I have fallen off the deep end? 

I just love Orthodoxy sooooo much!  ....and find it to be so beautiful that I want to share it! 

your ears are burning, cause...um....well, you kinda hot, i see from your pics

wish everyone fell off the deep end for Orthodoxy!

You do Orthodoxy justice with your pictures. they are so lovely, that I might not minde so much if i saw you taking pics during liturgy.

With artistic photography i believe the main goal is to capture a feeling. it seams to come easy to you!
your pictures represent (to me) a feeling i get sometimes during church or shortly after, its a feeling that's mysterious, magical, blessed, holy, peacefull....cant put it into words, sounds corny. its a feeling that i don't think can be represented with words. wonder if anyone else has felt something like this.

One time in church a older couple (non Orthodox) sat behind me for the DL. when i returned after comunion and walked by them i overheard a part of there conversation, they said "something is going on here, theres a beauty and Holiness happening we don't feel at our church." lets get more info from the priest". always wondered if its what i felt that they were feeling also.

[LizaSymonenko]

LOL!  No wonder my ears were burning!  

Do you think I have fallen off the deep end? 

I just love Orthodoxy sooooo much!  ....and find it to be so beautiful that I want to share it! 

your ears are burning, cause...um....well, you kinda hot, i see from your pics

...blushing.....really I'm not.

wish everyone fell off the deep end for Orthodoxy!

You do Orthodoxy justice with your pictures. they are so lovely, that I might not minde so much if i saw you taking pics during liturgy.

With artistic photography i believe the main goal is to capture a feeling. it seams to come easy to you!
your pictures represent (to me) a feeling i get sometimes during church or shortly after, its a feeling that's mysterious, magical, blessed, holy, peacefull....cant put it into words, sounds corny. its a feeling that i don't think can be represented with words. wonder if anyone else has felt something like this.

YES!  That's what I am going for....and what I wish to share!!!  Absolutely!!!

It's NOT corny! 

I agree, there are some Sunday's when you get in the "zone" and it's just beyond anything words can describe.

You're not alone with that feeling! 

[podkarpatska]

It's also most important to disable any sounds the (digital) camera makes, such as the bleep during focusing, the mock shutter sound, etc. If the camera is silent, then the distraction and annoyance factor is practically eliminated.

I have taken thousands of pictures in churches (film and digital) over many years, with permission, and without any complaints from anyone. Like Liza, I am frequently asked by priests and others to take pictures during special services, because they're happy with my work.

Me too, disabling sounds is a must....be discreet and don't become the focal point of the event. A good photographer can take a relatively inexpensive 'point and shoot' digital (under $400) and with basic knowledge of light, settings etc.. take wonderful pictures without all of the trappings of a $2000 set of SLR's, tripods, lens and showmanship etc...

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Beautiful photos, as always, Liza

Keeping it real, will it offend God that much if you snap a few shots, even of Him in the chalice and other sacraments?  A God as vast and loving as ours can't be that bothered by such a thing.

Understandably, some don't want it for whatever reason.  I think, maybe you should just take whatever photos you wish, until you're told not to (or see a sign!). 

[ma2000]

Hi, Lisa!

I'm sorry for that lady's reaction. She probably took you for some kind of paparazzi, although I'm convinced you didn't act like one.
I know there are monasteries where they don't allow taking photos of monastics or inside the church during services (or even in the monastery), but the parishes should be more welcoming.
I bought a D3100 this summer, but I didn't have the courage to take photos of the church during Divine Liturgy yet But I did take some during a wedding service.

It's best if you could forgive the lady and try to reconcile with her.

God bless!

[Gunnarr]

well I get the feeling that photos during the liturgy should not be taken because the liturgy is supposed to be... well, not in time so to say. Outside of time/

So taking a picture would thus be attempting to bring it to a worldly manner which is not good.

Just my take. and I feel pictures should not be taken during the liturgy of the faithful

just my opinion though

[converted viking]

Liza:

I don't see anything wrong with you taking the pictures in church especially in light of the fact that the priest didn't have a problem with it.   If  one was using big obnoxious strobe lights. noisy motor drives and trampling people to get the shots then that would be another story.   I have some thoughts about the little old lady but I will refrain from posting them.


Seraphim

[akimori makoto]

Liza,

I, for one, do not find these "overzealous" yiayiadhes and babushki to be amusing or endearing. In fact, I think they are a big problem.

[Tallitot]

i guess someone could make the argument that if you're busy watching for "good shots" you're not engaging in the service. but that's to discuss with your priest.

as far as putting them online, if anyone in the photo asks you not to post thier picture, i wouldn't.

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