Flame

Now I should point out, I am quite the atheiest, don't believe in God and do not have a religious bone in my body, but I do like to wander around old churches. Some are such great places to photograph and I do like the history behind the buildings.

So today, as I walked past this old church, I noticed the lights were on so I popped my head through the door - no one was about so I quickly took some photos. Was really rather grand inside.

I picked up a leaflet as I left - the church in question is St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London and has a fair bit of history behind it.

Originally a Pagan place of worship - it became one of the first Christian sites of worship in the UK in 700AD. A church was first built in 1085. This burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666, leading to the current building, built by Sir Christopher Wren between 1672-1679.

It is listed as one of the 10 most important churces in the UK. A bit more history here http://ststephenwalbrook.net/index.htm

Pompey played at home tonight, but I couldn't make it... we won as we always seem to when I don't go... Perhaps I should stay away more often!

[The Steve From 2010]

Ace shot, I like a lot of things about it

[Marinade Spatula]

This is really fantastic. I have failed abysmally with similar shots. Love the melted candles - all those different people whose hopes were carried in a flame... brilliant.

[Steph B]

Lovely. Very appropriate as NZ'ers hold onto the flickering flame of hope today...

[Carly]

beautiful shot - love the composition :)

[Tanya]

brilliant shot. The DoF is perfect and I like the composition with the light/chandelier in the bokeh. I cant resist old buildings either or any kind of place of worship.

[robinwarner]

i agree...this is lovely

[Denise]

Great composition. Lots of different light sources.

[Nod]

Great pic. Shooting candles is really mesmerizing! I love it too.

[Mrs. Smith]

Wow! I would enjoy visiting London seeing buildings such as this one that are that old. I just don't have buildings that old around me. Great picture.

[dougi]

Like you dude, fascinated with curches, temples, mosques, etc etc but not religious.

[dougi]

Oh, nice capture by the way..... :)

[Michelle Sheils]

This is such a beautiful photo, full of atmosphere - great shot.

[Darrell Soper]

Great shot! Love it. A fav. ( and maybe you should avoid more of their games but I am sure it is not your fault they lose! )

[Jennifer Vargas]

Love the focus!

[Richard Tyson]

love this Andy, I'm in the same boat, not religious at all but always fascinated by churches and places of worship

[Dora Mendes]

Lovely !

[Rudi Teruel]

need not believe to be able to see the beauty in churches.... very beautiful capture, andy.....

[Bill Dodsworth]

Nicely composed, captured!

[Susan]

Lovely photo! We all need to light candles for all the sadness & violence in the world.

[Laura]

Absolutely beautiful. I'm still quite self-conscious when it comes to pulling out my camera. Somehow it feels like I'm intruding. This encourages me to try harder.

[alistair]

super - very beautiful photo

[josh james]

stunning capture!

[Jeff G.]

outstanding shot andy. I'm not really religious, but fascinated by religion.

[marianne bourland]

all aspects are beatuiful here...the setting, the colors, the POV and DOF...*breathe*...love this quite moment. God captures us all in one way or another...sometimes we recognize it and sometimes we don't. Beautiful moment! FAV for me!

[Constance Brinkley]

This shot is stunning. What a capture. Well done.

[Graham Harcombe]

Superb shot. The lighting level is perfect, the colour tones on the metal candle holders and of course the composition are spot on. A fav.

[Daniel Fisher]

Loving the tones and composition Andy. Nice one :)

[Lesley Barber]

Hmmm... Life works in mysterious ways...

[Wendy]

Great shot! Love the lighting!

[Jenna Richards]

I love old churches. This is beautiful.

[robinwarner]

so happy that this made the pop page. it is just stunning

[Paula]

Very beautiful!

[Sarah D P]

Beautiful picture!

[Michelle Pippin Johnson]

This is so lovely.

[Darrell Soper]

Congrats, I knew this would make Popular.

[oselleso]

This picture I love the angle, focus and lighting! good!

[blank.space]

Stunning.

[Andrea Freeman]

STUNNING photograph. You really are the master of low light photography. I am with you, love churches don't like church

[andy c]

thank you everyone for you great words of encouragement, views and favs... :-)

[Shannon Pitton]

Beautiful shot, I'm with you - love to poke my head in for a little architecture and history lesson, but not for much else. Churches do tell a story about the poeple and the times.