Platinum

mattjanaway

Lincoln cathedral Christmas tree

Dec, 2023

Views

Likes

Awards

GoPro HERO11 Black

Absolute Masterpiece

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo in Lincoln, UK. Behind the tree is the famous Lincoln Cathedral. When it was built, it overtook the Pyramids of Giza as the tallest building in the world for hundreds of years.

Time

It was at around 10pm at night, on a very cold Christmas evening in December.

Lighting

The warmth from the tree caught my eye, but the cathedral was also lit up in a warm light, so I looked for a perspective to add more focus towards the tree. In order to do this, I needed to lean on darkness. I found the 1000 year old door in the wall and used that to pull the eyes into the tree.

Equipment

I used a Three Legged Thing carbon fibre tripod - essential considering the wind; Lincoln cathedral is at the top of a big hill (aptly named the Steep Hill). It can get extremely windy. I used my Sony A7iv camera, along with my 24-105mm f4 G OSS lens.

Inspiration

My mother has recently taken up photography as a hobby, so I wanted to take her out to learn about nighttime photography. When I saw the scene, I instantly thought about Ebeneezer Scrooge!

Editing

A little - I created a vignette to draw the eyes inwards, and I also took a little warmth out of the light on the cathedral wall in the background.

In my camera bag

I always pack my Sony A7iv and Sony A7Cii. They're accompanied by my Sony 50mm f1.2 G Master lens, a 100-400 f4.5-5.6 G Master lens, and my Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS lens. I then pack a few spare batteries, my Three Legged Thing carbon tripod, a few spare SD cards and some snacks.

Feedback

Composition and light are everything. Find a way of drawing the eyes into the focus point. You can use light (or lack of it) to your advantage by finding darkness around your subject.

See more amazing photos, follow mattjanaway

mattjanaway

mattjanaway

Lincoln cathedral Christmas tree

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow mattjanaway

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.