Sint Nicolaaskerk, Amsterdam: Stall

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 6 November 2009 in Architecture.

This sales stall in St. Nicholas was the brightest spot in the whole church. Perhaps it was not the best day to take a photograph; though it was warm outside, it was also rainy and thick clouds didn't let much light coming through them. But though Nicholas is a massive and due to its historistic painting a very dark church, it was equally mysterious and inviting, almost intimate.

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Comments (13)

Peter from Amsterdam, Netherlands

You would have thought they learned from that story in the Bible, but history repeats itself... selling things in the House of God.... ;-)

6 Nov 2009 8:09am

@Peter: Only edifying literature - and these church guides where you can find the facts that aren't even mentioned in Wikipedia! :-)

Kerstin Nelson from Santa Barbara, United States

Such great leading lines the people are almost incidental.

6 Nov 2009 8:28am

@Kerstin Nelson: Yes, everything serves the perspective. :-)

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

In this image the church doesn't look very dark but if we look at the EXIF data (ISO 3200, 1/30 s) then we can have an idea of how somber this church is (or was, at that particular day). It's just the opposite of the brightness of the Bavarian Baroque churches.

6 Nov 2009 10:43am

@António Pires: Absolutely, the pillars and walls were painted black in parts. A true challenge, but I love this! :-)

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

Wonderful shot . Great tones and light and mood !

6 Nov 2009 2:04pm

@MARIANA: Thanks very much!

B.Held from Santa Fe, United States

i really like the atmosphere here.

6 Nov 2009 4:51pm

@B.Held: Me too, but I'd like to see this church with better light!

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

This looks most inappropriate with a guy selling stuff from a stall like this . . perhaps it is just that the light gives emphasis to him.

6 Nov 2009 8:02pm

@Ronnie 2¢: His red shirt is indeed an eye-catcher, but he only sold edifying literature. :-)

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Excellent. The details are superb.

6 Nov 2009 8:20pm

@Ana Lúcia: Usually I don't like shooting at ISO 3200, but I'm glad that enough detail could be preserved. Thanks, Ana!

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

so much stillness in this shot -- the atmosphere is full or reverence! lovely mood and lighting!

6 Nov 2009 8:43pm

@dj.tigersprout: There were actually lots of people, but the church was big enough to absorb the noise.

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

Great vantage point from which you captured this shot. The view down the aisle adds so much depth. I love those wall paintings seen high above the people (not the ones directly behind the vendors).

6 Nov 2009 10:53pm

@Steven: That are remnants of the old historistic paintings; some were lost, but a lot of them were still there. Unfortunately it was too dark to get some decent shots of these pictures.

Michael from Shell village, United Kingdom

The light from the windows, the dark subtle shadows and the ambiance are all captured in the superb shot. (Hand held ?)

6 Nov 2009 10:57pm

@Michael: Hand held at ISO 3200, usually something I try to avoid due to the noise. But here I could preserve most of the details.

PD from Overland Park, Kansas, United States

I like it! very clear and the lighting is nice - warm in the foreground.

6 Nov 2009 11:13pm

@PD: At first sight this seemed to be the only island of warmth in this church, but the long exposure shot of the ceiling revealed something else.

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

I always try to be very quiet in a church but here they are talking and selling stuff and there is even a portraits exhibit. A very good job for those difficult conditions of light.

7 Nov 2009 12:11am

@akarui: Many thanks, Olivier! This was during visiting hours and a lot of people were coming and watching. This church is nearby Amsterdam central station, so a visit is obvious.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Dark, interesting, and I like the paintings on the wall.

7 Nov 2009 8:46pm

@Twelvebit: I don't know who they are, but I guess it's a collection of honourable locals.

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Canon EOS 40D
1/30 second
F/4.0
ISO 3200
10 mm