Church of the Good Shepherd and Parish House
This ornate Gothic Revival church was built as a memorial to firearms manufacturer Samuel Colt, and its elaborate stonework, polychrome brickwork, and intricate decorative details make it one of the most visually striking religious buildings in New England. Get close to the facade to capture the richness of the carved stonework and the layered patterns in the brickwork, then step back to frame the full silhouette against the sky. A wide-angle lens works well for the exterior architecture, while a longer focal length lets you isolate decorative details on the towers and arched windows. Overcast days are ideal here because they eliminate harsh shadows and allow the complex textures of the stone and brick to read clearly. The church sits on a relatively quiet street, so you have room to work without much foot traffic in your frame. Morning light hits the front facade well on clear days. (Hartford, Connecticut, United States)
