Arrow to Heaven
The Chapel at the United States Airforce Academy, Colorado Springs,
The Chapel at the United States Airforce Academy, Colorado Springs,
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Jan, 2019Views
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2020 Choice Award
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Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo is of the Chapel at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.Time
This shot was originally taken at around 3:30PM in late winter of 2007Lighting
Every time I have been to the chapel, the sky is clear, the light is bright and there is nothing to set the building from the sky. Shooting later is better so the sunset can play into the composition. Stopping down will cause the building to lose detail. So, shooting with the building as the spot for the meter means the sky will look bright. I chose a B&W conversation as it made the composition more balanced and allowed the building to be the center of focus.Equipment
This shot was taken with a Nikon D200 (CCD Sensor) and a 28-70mm f2.8 Nikkor lens.Inspiration
The United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, completed in 1962, is the distinguishing feature of the Cadet Area at the United States Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs. It was designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill of Chicago. Construction was accomplished by Robert E. McKee, Inc., of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Originally controversial in its design, the Cadet Chapel has become a classic and highly regarded example of modernist architecture. The Cadet Chapel was awarded the American Institute of Architects' National Twenty-five Year Award in 1996 and, as part of the Cadet Area, was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2004. Being a former Architect, and fan of the Air Force, when in Colorado, I had to go see it first hand and take the shot.Editing
I did a very simple B&W conversion in Photoshop. Beyond that the image is pretty straight forward and unedited.In my camera bag
I am a Nikon shooter. I have all Nikkor lenses and all Nikon bodies shy of my Pentax K1000 from the mid 70's and a Minolta Maxxum 9000 from the mid 80's. I presently shoot with a Nikon D810. I have a D200, 300, 700 and F5 with a full assortment of Nikkor professional lenses.Feedback
The contrast in the sky in this area can be hard to get. Every time I have been to the chapel there hasn't been a cloud in the sky. Shooting near the golden hour is better as the intensity from the clear sky is subdued and the colors of sunset can give you some nice reflections on the stainless steel texture of the building.
