Mt. Olivet Episcopal Church

This small Carpenter Gothic church sits quietly in the Louisiana countryside, its steep pointed gables and whitewashed wood siding making it one of the more charming historic structures in the region. Built in 1858, the building has the kind of weathered character that rewards close attention, from the decorative trim along the roofline to the simple lancet windows that catch light beautifully in the early morning hours. Shoot from a low angle to emphasize the vertical lines of the Gothic peaks against the sky, or pull back to include the surrounding cemetery for context and depth. A wide to standard focal length works well here. Golden hour light from the east in the morning wraps the white facade in warm tones without harsh shadows. The grounds are open and navigable on foot, and the adjacent headstones offer natural foreground elements to layer into your composition. (Pineville, Louisiana, United States)