How can I best photograph stained glass windows?

Question

I have an academic interest in medieval architecture, and I often try to photograph stained-glass from the interior. Unfortunately, the result inevitably seems to be blurred and indistinct. Is there any way I can produce crisp images of stained-glass window illustrations?

Answer 1

My preference would be on an overcast day when the sunlight outside is evenly diffused by the clouds and I'd use a very sturdy tripod, with a medium to small aperture (f/5.6 to f/8). I suggest that you use a spot meter at the mid-tones and bracket your shots (moreso if you have a film camera) until you have enough experience to determine how your camera reacts to that particular lighting and the ISO you've selected (I would prefer to use ISO 100 with my camera mounted on a tripod; if no tripod, then you'd have to shoot at least at ISO 400 to prevent camera shake, and use a relatively fast aperture and hope that your shutter speed is faster then 1/60th second to prevent the camera shake which results in blurred images).

Answer 2

I photograph them all the time -- especially in Europe.

The best way is wait until you have a sunny day and the photograph them on the OFF side from the sun. In other words, you want the light on the outside, but no beams coming in through the glass.

Use about a 400 or 800 ISO rating. 800 for "lighter" windows, 400 for darker.

Since you say they windows are blurred, it appears you are moving your camera when you take the photo -- stained glass is usually pretty easy. You should consider a tripod. If that is not practical for you, remember you "shoot" a camera like you shoot a gun. Snap the shutter at the bottom of your exhale.

If you have a digital, you can preview your shots easily. You can also bring them into Photoshop and sharpen them up.

Answer 3

The blurriness is because of camera movement and relatively long shutter speeds. You need a tripod to keep the camera still when you shoot. If you can't use a tripod, try resting your camera against something solid - a church pew, a column, a wall. That will help. Be very conscious of camera movement when depressing the shutter release button.

Answer 4

Wow, I was just in a church taking photos of stained glass windows (as part of a wedding ceremony) this weekend.

I thought the images came out really crisp and clear with the interior of the chapel rather dark, and the outside sunny and illuminated.

Answer 5

I guess if you're doing it for the research it's best to not make it blurry, but I personally think that the light coming in from the window and showing the full majesty of the window is beautiful.

And that's what they're all about, right? Being beautiful.

Answer 6

dark room, light outside of the stainglass window, or light behind the stained glass object.

Answer 7

you'd need a camera with a higher resolution i feel. make sure the light coming through it is not too bright cos this can cause overexposure of the image in contrast to the dim surroundings normally encountered in a church

Answer 8

do it where theres no sun and no disractions