Winchester Cathedral

I took a drive to Winchester this morning to have a look around the Christmas Market. While I waited for the market to open I went into the Cathedral with my camera. It was very quiet so I took a leisurely stroll around the building. My favourite spot was the crypt which was partially flooded. The Cathedral is built on soft ground and the crypt, the oldest part of the building, floods during the winter when the water table is higher. It is home to a sculpture called Sound II by Antony Gormley. It’s a very atmospheric space, although shooting this was a challenge due to the low light levels and a wrought iron gate standing between me and the statue. This shot was taken at ISO1600 with my 50mm lens at f2.2 to try and grab as much light as possible. I shot it in burst mode and held my breath to maximise my chances of getting a sharp shot! It’s not perfect but the best I could do without a tripod. My other two shots were ones I took as I walked around – one of the ornate carvings on the high altar and another of the architecture in the nave – the longest Gothic nave in Europe.