A different perspective on the Helsinki Cathedral
Google images of Helsinki or even Finland in general, and I bet you a 5 pack of CineStill 800T that you'll see pictures of this cathedral. Let's start with a shot history of this iconic location.
Helsinki had become the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812, and the new Senate Square needed a monumental church. German architect Carl Ludvig Engel designed a neoclassical Lutheran cathedral, but after his death, his assistant Ernst Bernhard Lohrmann revised the plans. Adding, the four smaller domes around the main green dome and the two side pavilions (bell tower and chapel). It was completed in 1852, after about 20 years of construction.
Originally called St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolainkirkko), after Tsar Nicholas I. Finland's independence in 1917 made the name politically awkward, and in 1959 it was renamed Helsinki Cathedral (Helsingin tuomiokirkko).
It's the home of the Helsinki diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and arguably Finland's most recognizable building. A backdrop for everything from state ceremonies to student traditions like the annual cap-wearing on Vappu (May Day).
A small extra: the zinc statues of the Twelve Apostles on the roof are actually the third set. Weather kept destroying the earlier versions.
Now, on to my point for this shoot. As seen above, the vast majority of photos taken of this cathedral are very similar. Anything between a 28mm and 50mm, mostly taken from the square and just capturing the whole place. Let's change that up a bit.
A different perspective
One really fun exercise, is approaching one object with a few different focal lengths. Really sitting with the place and moving around to find new perspectives. Whether that's a close-up of certain details, or unusual angles, contrast, shapes, colors and anything else interesting. On this sunny autumn day, I brought my Pentax Spotmatic F, a 200mm f/4 SMC (Super Multicoated) Takumar lens, 17mm f/4 fish-eye Takumar, and the 50mm f/1.4 SMC Takumar. Yes, the radioactive one. Film used is Kodak Gold 200 and later shots with Kodak Ultramax 400.
This first set depicts the cathedral itself from different angles and focal lengths. I especially love the one taken from right under the columns, catching a good bit of glare from the sun on the lens. And of course the side perspective of the stairs, lining up right in the middle, with the square on the left and cathedral on the right. It even made its way to be the banner on the homepage.
You can clearly see the difference between Kodak Gold and Ultramax. The last image in this gallery, taken from further away with the 200mm lens, is shot on Ultramax. It definitely makes the colors more true to life and removes the deep blue hues.
It seems not many people pay attention to the 12 apostles on the roof. Looking down, reading, toasting and otherwise standing still in immortal shenanigans. I really had lots of fun getting close-up shots and giving them some more focus than they usually get. They contrast beautifully, and tell their own story when isolated from the rest of the cathedral. And I don't think they get the attention they deserve.
Kodak Gold and the beautiful vintage rendering of the Takumar lenses, pared with the golden hour light and milky blue skies really worked out well. These are statues I'll definitely come back to in different light conditions, with other focal lengths and film.
The last of this shoot focuses around the square, mostly the statue of Tsar Alexander II. He's seen as the most liberal and nice ruler of Finland during the time of the Russian Empire. Which is the main reason this statue is standing to this day. Of course the local seagulls don't give a shit about that, and will gladly use his head as a lookout post. Scouring for tourists trying to enjoy a snack.
There's definitely still a lot to explore. The position of the statues to their surroundings make for a fun playground. Creating depth of field, bokeh or even super close-up compositions, I will definitely be back for more...
If you like these themed photo shoots, let me know in the comments. Maybe even make a suggestion for a next location. Subscribe and tell your friends about this place. It costs nothing and makes my day.
A bonus photo
A bit further in the day I ended up around the market next to the water, and observed this seagull staring the food out of this woman's hands. She ended up walking away as more seagulls joined in and chased after her. Judging by the chonk on that seagull, this isn't their first victim.
