Church of San Francisco

This colonial-era Catholic church in the historic center of Mompos, Colombia, is one of several striking religious buildings that line the Magdalena River waterfront, and its whitewashed facade and bell tower make it a strong subject for architectural photography. Shoot from across the main plaza to capture the full facade with foreground space, or move in close to isolate the ornate doorway and tower details with a 35mm to 50mm lens. Early morning light hits the front facade cleanly before the sun climbs too high, giving you warm tones without harsh shadows. The streets surrounding the church are narrow and quiet at dawn, which lets you work without crowds and include the colonial streetscape as context. A wider lens works well for environmental shots that place the church within Mompos's remarkably preserved historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Mompos, Bolivar, Colombia)