St Matthew Lutheran, Sandy Hill, Texas

The third church we only got to after sunset. Fortunately we did arrive before the blue hour was over. St Matthew probably offers the most interesting prospects. There are trees but they do not obscure the front like they do at Immanuel. St John will be easy to shoot but there are less opportunities for angles or different points of view.

Both churches are relatively free of highlines. At St John what is there on the sides is easily cloned out and the front of the church is very clear of lines. At St Matthew there are no highlines along the road in front and there is an open, unfenced field directly across the road which means lots of different shooting locations. (Debi, you can try out your snakebite shin guards) Alcy has already scared a poor snake to death in Navasota, don't want to do that again--my ear drums may not survive a second assault. You could actually get most of the sunset behind the building.

We did drive on up to Bethlehem Lutheran at William Penn. I had originally crossed it off because it faces west. However they did not have lights on so we didn't do any photographs.

Anyway, we got some late evening, after dark photos that will help make a decision as to whether or not to set up the photoshoot. Even, if we don't I think I will drive back up to St Johns and see if I can get something descent to share with Rev. Hansen. He and his wife were very gracious and welcoming when I explained what we were proposing.

The logistics of the photoshoot are pretty constraining. It will be almost impossible to shoot more than one, on a stretch two of the churches on the same evening. To drive almost a hundred miles for maybe a half dozen or so photographs cause one to consider it pretty hard. Of course that is a lot closer than most of the painted churches or the San Antonio Missions. Maybe we could drum up a picnic, box lunches, pot luck, something to add a little spice to the drive. There are plenty of places to spread out some tablecloths and fight off the ants. Country folk do that you know.

 

There are many country cemeteries in the area. I enjoy photographing in country cemeteries but there are no Hill angels or even anything close. I enjoy shooting homemade markers, funeral home markers, the decorations and plastic flowers. However, I have discovered that not every one shares my interest in the poignance of country cemteries. But possibly we could visit some of those earlier in the day to make the trip more worthwhile.