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SAINT MARYS


SAINT MARYS
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralph Starck (HapiSnapa) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 5 N: 211] (1644)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-02
Categories: Architecture, HPP [Heavily Post-Processed]
Camera: Nikon D-70s, SIGMA 18-200/3.5-6.3 DC, 62mm CPL
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-07-13 1:23
Viewed: 207
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This photo of St Mary’s Cathedral was taken May last year when I was in New Plymouth and I spent half a day wandering around with the camera, the notes that accompany this photo give you an idea of the significance of the history of the Taranaki region.

In the workshop I have included a photo of a headstone from the graveyard that surrounds this church, a headstone on the grave of a volunteer soldier killed in the Land Wars of 1860.

The Cathedral of St Mary, New Plymouth, is the oldest stone church in New Zealand. The first part of the Church was begun in March 1845, and completed and opened for worship on St Michael's Day, September 29th 1846. The land on which it was built had been secured from the Plymouth Company of New Zealand by Bishop Selwyn in October 1842, during his epic journey around his Diocese on foot, ministering to new settlement communities.

Selwyn and his newly appointed first Vicar, William Bolland determined that the building, designed by Frederick Thatcher, should be built in stone. Local settlers contributed their labour where they could not give money, while Selwyn and his relatives contributed 400 pounds towards the cost of 1095 pounds.

The fledgling Parish, which consisted of much of what is now the Taranaki Archdeaconry, suffered its first set-back with the death of Bolland , just a year later, at the age of twenty seven. Bishop Selwyn appointed Bolland's cousin, the Reverend Henry Govett to succeed him. Govett's ministry to the church continued for fifty years, while his family's generous support of the Parish and community continued in one form or another, until this day.

The Land Wars of the 1860's strongly affected the Parish and the town. Tombstones in the Churchyard; memorials in the Church in the form of Hatchments of the various Regiments and the "Friendly Maori", and a Memorial to the Maori whose conflict with the settlers we have come to recognise had a need to be understood and recognised justly, all bear witness to this troubled time.

As the community grew, the Church was extended to accommodate greater numbers; in 1862, 1866, 1893, 1902, 1915/16 1959/60, all almost seamlessly. The final addition in 1992/93 created a "Gathering Space", the Hatherly Hall, to the west and south of the Church, and supplied offices, meeting rooms and kitchens on two levels, built in stone veneer in a fitting echo of the early Gothic architecture of this fine Church building.
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Sharpshooter: SorryHapiSnapa 1 07-13 19:39
To superaudio: Hi StevenHapiSnapa 1 07-13 16:13
To jimmybb: Hi JamesHapiSnapa 1 07-13 16:02
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Critiques [Translate]

Impressive building Ralp[h, I'm heading to New Plymouth over next month or so to see Mt. Egmont, I will definately check out this piece of NZ historic architecture, well captured

Hi Ralph
very interesting old building and good note
well captured in pov and details
interesting workshop
ciao
Lucio

hi ralph
great shot,impressive building warm coloured stone good sharpness and pov
regards
jimmy

Hi Ralph,
A nice capture of this grave yard with an interesting POV!
A fabulous PP work and a beautiful composition with excellent details in the stones.
Nice warm atmosphere and presentation.
Nice job.

Francis Xavier

  • Great 
  • alexa Silver Star Critiquer [C: 15 W: 0 N: 0] (28)
  • [2009-07-13 5:53]

Super image with wonderful detail great lighting and composition
Alexa

Hi Ralph...nice shot....well composed...great light and wonderful details.

Roger

  • Great 
  • djw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 55] (873)
  • [2009-07-13 11:52]

Hi Ralph, this is a beauty. Great color and texture. Thanks, Dave

Hi Ralph,

Well photographed! Interesting and attractive church. I also like your interesting notes for this photo. Effective POV used and yopu have achieved good sharpness and contrast level.

GReat photo, TFS.

Martyn

  • Great 
  • jackal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 3 N: 212] (2865)
  • [2009-07-13 13:48]

Hi Ralph,
A good capture of the old church, the colours in the stonework are rich and sharp
cheers
Jack

Hi Ralph,
Excellent how you captured the warm colours here. It really enhances the picture. A fine POV too even like the sharpness which is spot on. A peaceful place well captured and presented!
Hans

  • Great 
  • timtim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1057 W: 106 N: 560] (9574)
  • [2009-07-13 16:35]

Great shot nice details
Good PP
TFS

Hi Ralph,
Great shot. Dare I say that it almost looks like HDR. Excellent exposure and DOF, the details look nice and sharp too.

TFS,
Scott.

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