Hidden Gems Of St Johns Church
The project began with the single interior photograph shown directly below, taken of the church by local professional photographer Bernard O'Sullivan.
When this first high-resolution hand-lit image was enlarged and examined closely, glimpses of interesting carvings were revealed. We simply had to take a closer look!
Using powerful photographic lighting and a telephoto lens 6.8 times more magnified than human eyesight we scoured the darker recesses of the church interior, the more we looked, the more we found, the 'shoot-list' seemed to grow by the day.
After approximately thirty-two days of photography and post-production, we have amassed over 300 images of which a selection are reproduced here. A Hidden Gems coffee-table photo-book is also under way and it is hoped will be available before Christmas 2017.
When this first high-resolution hand-lit image was enlarged and examined closely, glimpses of interesting carvings were revealed. We simply had to take a closer look!
Using powerful photographic lighting and a telephoto lens 6.8 times more magnified than human eyesight we scoured the darker recesses of the church interior, the more we looked, the more we found, the 'shoot-list' seemed to grow by the day.
After approximately thirty-two days of photography and post-production, we have amassed over 300 images of which a selection are reproduced here. A Hidden Gems coffee-table photo-book is also under way and it is hoped will be available before Christmas 2017.
View more images using the links below.
Main Interior
In common with a lot of medieval buildings, the interior of St John The Baptist has a host of high-up dark recesses.
The interior of the church is the result of approximately sixty-five separate exposures, with different parts of the church being selectively hand-lit, before being combined. It was at this stage that details were noticed in the roof that needed further investigation.
The interior of the church is the result of approximately sixty-five separate exposures, with different parts of the church being selectively hand-lit, before being combined. It was at this stage that details were noticed in the roof that needed further investigation.
Central Naives Aisle Roof
This main reverse-plan-view of the main roof, was again composed of approximately twenty five separately lit exposures. Visit the roof carvings page to examine the roof in more detail
Click here or on image to see more
Roof Carvings
Exquisite details high up in the roof are revealed when viewed at close quarters under good lighting conditions. The carvings in the central naves aisle roof are caved out-of-the-roof-beams, not installed after construction. These intriguing carvings date back to the time of building approximately six hundred years ago.
Click here or on image to see more
The Chancel
The Chancel roof isn't the original, but is still decorated with some beautiful wooden carvings, including 12 angels.
Stained Glass
When viewed on a bright day there aren't many things as colourful as a beautifully crafted stained glass window. The windows have been photographed in their entirety and also in close-up sections revealing the depth of vibrant detail.
Click here or on image to see more.
Carvings Furnishings Plaques and Tombs
There is a whole host of example of the creative arts all around the church, from Floor Brasses, Wall-Decorations, Organ and Pew Carvings, and Tombs and Furnishings.
Friends Of St John Tideswell
St John The Baptist Church in Tideswell, also know as 'The Cathedral Of The Peak' is one of the UK's most significant churches dating back to 1395. In 2017 The Friends Of St John (FoSJ) charity was formed with the aim to maintaining the building and promoting public interest in this medieval building. To find out more about FoSJ and how to get involved please visit the FoSJ site.
Statement By The Author
"It has been a genuine joy to work on this project and to bring difficult to see yet wonderful details of six hundred years of human creativity into the light" Bernard O'Sullivan ABIPP
Tideswell Photos - Pen-Y-Ghent - Manchester Road - Tideswell - Derbyshire - SK17 8LL
Telephone - 07831 344 722 - Email - tideswell@insideoutphoto.co.uk
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