Hmmmm... by northy

Hmmmm...

I'm not entirely sure about this one... my husband has been telling me about this church and the cross / sign for weeks now, saying that it was crying out to be photographed... given @orangecrush's sign theme this week, i thought i would check it out...

in the interest of full disclosure, and in hopes of staving off a debate on religion, you should probably know that i am not in any way religious... while i understand the principle of being saved from an intellectual standpoint; emotionally and practically this carries little meaning for me... i respect the fact that it carries deep meaning for others, however, and have no wish to offend!

the sign, however, appears vintage and unique so, here it is...

i find myself once again extremely behind in commenting... between work and the kids' sports schedule i have little time left over for anything other than sleep these days...
Great shot, but personally I would've skipped it ;) Looks good in b&w have to admit ... just cannot dissociate myself from the "message". There's a great big lit up cross in my little village (against the mountain) and I've always found it rather intrusive ... and distasteful. Just from a total agnostic point of view ...
April 17th, 2013  
Mac
It could be a bank. Sorry, bad joke.
April 17th, 2013  
Not religious either...not raised with it. (everything I know about the bible I learned from Jesus Christ Superstar) but I would not have skipped it. Awesome shot. Great processing and people are going to read what they want into it. I love the vintage gritty feel you gave it with the black and white. fav
April 17th, 2013  
I always think that the Jesus brand bank must be a good one. Not just any sort of savings and loans...but tithes as well to build a solid prebendary. The pleasure must be in making deposits rather than withdrawals.
April 17th, 2013  
@riverlandphotos omg! i'm so tired it took me a moment to get that!

@kwiksilver well - i've been rolling my eyes at my husband on this from day one... but i was desperate today and had a few minutes to get out there when i thought light might be decent so thought i would give it a go... the main draw, however, is that i keep meaning to work on taking pictures of neighbourhoods that might be worth looking at - for memories sake if no other reason... but i've been putting it off... thought this was a good excuse to practice...

@edie tx Edie! i wasn't raised with it either... i sometimes wonder how different my life would be if i had...
April 17th, 2013  
Mac
I, too, like the processing and think it's a cool sign.
April 17th, 2013  
Vintage sign. Have to wonder who is drawn to such a location to worship
April 17th, 2013  
it is crying out for a photo.lol! I love all the right angles that compliment the straightforward sign. If only life were so cut and dry! Religion is funny that way. fave
April 17th, 2013  
I think the building looks a bit like a prison with the dark stones! Maybe the sign is for the prisoners to look up and believe!
April 17th, 2013  
Great b&w
April 17th, 2013  
I like the gritty processing and near B&W.
April 17th, 2013  
A very interesting shot ... something very spiritual is yet so ... industrial. I like the contrast and I like how you've captured it.
April 17th, 2013  
I am a Christian (I WAS raised with it) so I concur with the (highly abbreviated) message BUT I think the sign is awful. Tacky, to say the least. The photo, on the other hand, is great!
April 17th, 2013  
This is a great sign and building! I love the old feel. I am a Christian, but I would be drawn to this photo no matter the words. Those are just a bonus! Thankfully, it is a religion that accepts all people, especially sinners like me! :-)
April 17th, 2013  
He was right, it was begging to be photographed, great job! I am also completely non-religious... and feel pretty much the same as you do.
April 17th, 2013  
That sign looks old, which gives the church a look of being past it, which is probably not the image they want to portray. I think you've captured it and processed it well . from someone who doesn't mind either way re church, Christianity, religion. The bank thing did give me a giggle...
April 17th, 2013  
This is cool! Love the composition and the lonely sole walking out front! I agree with your husband on this one!
April 17th, 2013  
it's a cool sign for sure. Reminds me of a similar 'Black Sabbath' logo :) http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/les%20goupes/B/Black%20Sabbath/Cross%20Box/Cross%20Box.jpg
April 17th, 2013  
@riverlandphotos Heh heh heh heh heh

@northy people will always "see" in photographs what they want to anyway, so I don't think you should shy away from taking and posting what you might think are "controversial" photos. I find it interesting that this place is called "Pact(?) Ministry *Inc.*" - so it's a company? A "for profit" organisation? Now I'll shut up before I offend a lot of people ;-)
April 17th, 2013  
looks like it should be a neon sign
April 17th, 2013  
Such a lot of signs here. @Cheesebiscuit I have to agree - in the UK this would be a limited liability company, which would mean that they were hedging their bets. You'd think they would have more confidence given their underwriter. ;-)
April 17th, 2013  
Should have said I like the treatment you've given this by the way. Definitely worth the shot!
April 17th, 2013  
Good sign and processing!
April 17th, 2013  
i´m with your hubby! and you did very well! :)
April 17th, 2013  
For photo's sake, it's awesome! I never really think the photo necessarily captures my thoughts about the subject--or maybe I do? I think of it as "something captured" and hopefully with some kind of cool angle and such.
April 17th, 2013  
I love the gritty black and white vintage feel of this. I keep thinking a young Richard Harrison should appear, looking angry, hands jammed in pockets, muttering Bloody Sunday, another Bloody Sunday .
April 17th, 2013  
It is crying out for a photo indeed.
Religion has produced some gorgeous buildings ... this isn't one of them. ;)
April 17th, 2013  
Wonder what bank he uses :D
April 17th, 2013  
Amy
Great processing. Looks very vintage.
April 17th, 2013  
No offfence, no religion, great photo. fav.
April 17th, 2013  
A great one for Jerry's sign mini-challenge. The tones serve the shot nicely.
April 18th, 2013  
I'm glad that you 'got pestered' into doing this shot. Well worth the trip, I' say. Fascinating church and sign.
I'm with you on the religion stuff.
April 18th, 2013  
What a hideously tacky sign - and a wonderful shot! I'm with your husband, it was well worth the photograph - the sepia and light are perfect, it really could be from any era. It could be discount accommodation; 'Jesus saves and so can you - check out our low low prices'? I certainly wouldn't be staying there!
April 18th, 2013  
Can't say I agree with the sign itself. Being a devout atheist it's not for me. However it's a great choice for a photograph. I have to agree with Jess...hideously tacky! xx
April 18th, 2013  
Beautiful processing. The sepia works so well with the sign and feel to the place.
April 18th, 2013  
Stunning shot - it's about the composition and the processing - not the content of the sign - great capture and your hubby was right!
April 20th, 2013  
I agree that it was begging to be photographed. I wish the guy walking in front of the building was more visible though. I believe shots like these have a tendency to reveal a great deal about the viewers and don't necessarily reveal much about the artist/photographer. Anytime you want to open a window into the minds and souls of your followers, post an image with religious overtones. It doesn't have to be Christian/Catholic. It can be a statue of Buddha.
April 20th, 2013  
I like this very much, northy. I am not particularly religious but I am drawn to, and fascinated by, all manner or religious iconography. This one is particularly kitschy. What I love most is the grime. There's the irony.
April 21st, 2013  
Your husband was right - religious kitsch just begs to be photographed, in my opinion.
April 22nd, 2013  
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