National Cathedral
The human eye is amazing in its ability to perceive light from extreme sunlight to deep shadows. Our man made recording equipment, cameras, have limitations as to their ability to document severe lighting conditions. When the whites have no detail we refer to it as ‘blown out’ and when the shadows look solid black it is said to be ‘blocked up’. Most equipment has a latitude of four to seven stops.
The stained glass windows in this shot have allowed the photographer to shoot directly into the light and maintain detail throughout most of the shadows in the scene. The colored glass is acting as a neutral density filter which helps balance the intensity of light. At the same time the hues in the windows have transferred some of their color to the surface of the stone.
The photo-artist has selected the smallest column in the lower right hand corner to be vertical while allowing the other columns and window to keystone. This gives the feeling of an overwhelming power, like a wave, hanging over the viewer’s head.
Click on Image 
Marked Up 
August 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Thanks for your review. The National Cathederal is one of my favorite spots in Washington D.C. Lighting varies with time of day and month of the year. This image was photographed late in the day in June. I used a Nikon D200 on a tripod. The Cathederal is very “photographer friendly”.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Very nicely done.