Capturing the Spirit of History
Photographing St Margaret's Memorial Church in Dunfermline
I love doing architectural photography and when it comes to photographing old churches, that interest becomes a deep appreciation. There’s something unique about these historic places and their intricate details, their worn stone walls and the stories hidden within them that make each shot feel like a nod to the past.
St. Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with St Margaret’s Memorial Church in Dunfermline. Churches like these often have natural lighting that can be quite dim, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity to play with light and shadows. To bring out the mood and enhance the ambient atmosphere, I brought along an Arri 2K light to add depth and warmth. This big, powerful light allowed me to highlight the intricate architectural details that might otherwise get lost in the shadows, enhancing the building’s timeless beauty without overpowering it. I did think about bringing out the smoke machine as well, but kept it in the bag. As for lenses I have no problem shooting really wide (under 20mm on the main shots) and creating that warped feel, it makes it more interesting in my opinion.
St. Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline
A fun surprise during the shoot was discovering the church’s coloured LED lights, which the priest kindly pointed out. Playing with these coloured lights allowed me to create some alternative, vibrant shots that highlighted the stained glass windows and cast beautiful reflections on the walls, especially when it started to get dark outside. However, I found that the simpler, classic shots always captured the essence of the place best. With historic buildings like St Margaret’s, subtle lighting allows the space’s natural beauty to shine, preserving the character and soul of the building in each photograph.
Stained glass window in St. Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline
Capturing these places isn’t just about getting a technically perfect shot; it’s about bringing the viewer into that space, inviting them to feel its history and grandeur. I have also been to the Holy Name Church in Oakley this week for a similar shoot. Each church tells its own story, and my goal is to let that story come through in my photos.
Holy Name Church, Oakley
An interesting fact, St Margaret’s Memorial Church in Dunfermline is the home of the Relic of St. Margaret of Scotland.
