Glimpses of South Pasadena: Sanctuary

Monday, October 27, 2008

Sanctuary

I always look at all the beautiful bricks when I see Calvary Presbyterian Church during the day. But at night... I can't help but stop and stare at these lovely glowing doors.

24 comments:

Cafe Observer said...: I could use a little sanctuary.
I seek sanctuary from all the politicos & their robots.
I seek sanctuary from all them "cool" cats & their attitude.

You're on Church Row on Fremont, always a favorite street. Only cafe rows can compete.
Those golden glowing doors can barely contain the light. This is quite a simple shot.
I'll leave you now in peace to finish your prayers.; October 27, 2008 at 12:46 AM
USelaine said...: Nice isolation in the night, with so many lines for detail.; October 27, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Jilly said...: Such beautiful doors and so beautifully lit.; October 27, 2008 at 2:46 AM
Anonymous said...: Lovely doors and beautiful light.; October 27, 2008 at 2:57 AM
Jim Klenke said...: Night shots are my favorite, I love the shadows and glow.; October 27, 2008 at 4:10 AM
Yakpate said...: Your photos prove that art is where you see it... and you always do!

I, too, love the celestial light... and the relief of the beautifully carved doors and facade. Although this church represents traditional worship, I can't help but feel that, behind those doors, there is a sunlit field of flowers and a congregation saying, OMMMMMMM.....; October 27, 2008 at 5:51 AM
Webradio said...: Very Nice Laurie...; October 27, 2008 at 6:20 AM
Halcyon said...: The night effect is really neat. What time did you take this photo? I can just picture you sneaking around the streets of South Pas around midnight with your camera in hand, ready for the shot.; October 27, 2008 at 6:27 AM
Tash said...: They really do glow! I love the shapes and the shadows too.; October 27, 2008 at 6:37 AM
Unknown said...: Oh, my!! Forget the pearly gates - if there is a heaven, I hope the entry looks just like this. I love the golden glow. It draws you in (maybe literally and figuratively). I do so poorly at nighttime photography, so I doubly enjoy the fact that you do it so well. :~); October 27, 2008 at 7:05 AM
Jane Hards Photography said...: Night prowling again I see. Gorgeous fiery burnt orange glow, on those magnificent doors.; October 27, 2008 at 7:14 AM
Eki said...: The golden warm glow and the decorative panels (?) of those doors make the church even look more grandeur, Laurie. Beautiful!; October 27, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Unknown said...: Hey Laurie,

I'm glad to be back, thanks for your kind words on my blog.
I missed so many of your great posts!!!; October 27, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Hope said...: Stunning photo!; October 27, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Petrea Burchard said...: Double doors, double light. Doubly beautiful.; October 27, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Anonymous said...: I think the glint off the kickplates is amazing. The light and color of the rest of it is fantastic, but I saw the kickplates first. Then again, I used to do set construction and regular construction, so that's my angle.; October 27, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Mister Earl said...: I had to look carefully at the kickplates. The way the light comes off of them, they look like packages. Gifts for the poor perhaps, or a baby in swaddling clothes?; October 27, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...: How very beautiful! I love your use of bi-lateral symmetry. It is very altar-like and soothing.

What really struck me on my second viewing from across the room was the strong emphasis on the horizontal created by the lights, left and right and echoed by the stripe across the lower section. I could go Jungian on you here if you will permit me, and read into that horizontal - an emphasis on life, here on Earth. Horizontals relate to the horizon, where in our vision, Earth meets Sky. So instead of an upward thrust, the arches spring playfully outward celebrating the past (left) and the future (right). I see it as mandala-like, transcending specific creeds. WOW!
I'd better stop before I begin chanting for World peace and wholeness.
Maybe yakpate said the same thing but with fewer words.
P.S. great image mister earl re: the kickplates!; October 27, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Virginia said...: I am a Presbyterian and am so happy to see this beautiful facade. But more so , I am sure what goes on inside for the congregation and the community is even more beautiful. What a lovely capture of these doors.; October 27, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Mister Earl said...: Shooting on El Centro

Laurie: Did you get over to the library tonight? El Centro side (your favorite) they're shooting a movie or a TV show. Not sure what it is, but I've never seen a crew that big in these parts.; October 27, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Dixie Jane said...: I can't add anything to the beautiful words so well spoken by yakpate, Judy, Shanna and mister earl. The season is right, mister earl. I wish I could say it as well. Golden Arches comes to mind. But that belongs to McDonald's. Ethereal is fitting as is, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness." It just feels so holy looking at these doors bathed in light outside of a church. May we all feel blessed just looking at the majesty before us. And I will join you inside, yak. I'll be over by the petunias. OMMMMMMMMMMMMM; October 27, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Diederick Wijmans said...: Beautifyl symmetry and lighting with a lot of atmosphere to it!!; October 27, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Greetings, everyone!

Wow, so many beautiful comments today. I love the OOOMMMMM idea from Yak, and Mister Earl's lovely thoughts about the kickplates, and Shanna's inspired interpretation. (Reminds me of when I was in college and someone would come up with an amazing analysis of a short story I had written -- finding symbols and theme that I never had in mind when I wrote it. Yeah, sure! That's what it means!)

And Dixie (mom!) you always manage to pull an appropriate bible quote out of thin air. I remember that verse from Psalm 112, too. I always liked the next line: "He is gracious and full of compassion and righteous." I'm not even religious and that one gets me every time.

Halcyon, I took this photo around 11:00PM, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps a little earlier. I really love night photography and used to pour over Brassai photographs when I was younger. He's still one of my favorites. I am such a lousy, lousy painter -- night photos let me use the camera to paint with light and shadows. I really think this particular camera likes night best of all. I am amazed what it manages to capture. So, yes. That's me creeping around late at night... (Easier that way because hubby is home and our daughter is sleeping!)

Trish - -set construction and real construction. A girl who knows her way around a tool box. Right on! I'd love to learn more about your work sometime.

Virginia, my lovely Presbyterian pal, it's odd that I almost ALWAYS think of you when I see this church. I always thought it was because we both love architectural details... but maybe it's something more! I must find out more about what this and other churches do for outreach in the community. So much to learn about my little corner of the world here.

Mister Earl -- I could KICK myself. I drove past the library and there was a ginormous film crew there and... I had zero battery power in my camera and no spare batteries. AGHHHH! As for the film crew size, it was actually about the same size as the huge crew in my neighborhood a few months back. I saw another crew (maybe from the same film) a few nights ago on Monterey near Garfield shooting behind one of the big wooden houses. That time, I had a full memory card. I really need to be better prepared.

I also had a couple of computer glitches over the weekend but things -- knock wood -- are good to go, now.

As for this photo inspiring OOOOMs and chants for world peace. I'm all for that.

Thanks for everything, folks. Til tomorrow.; October 28, 2008 at 1:00 AM
Hilda said...: Beautiful! I just adore your night shots…; October 28, 2008 at 7:23 AM