Our Lady of Sorrows Church

This small adobe church in Bernalillo is one of New Mexico's quietly photogenic historic structures, its thick earthen walls and simple bell tower embodying the regional Spanish Colonial mission style that photographers travel across the Southwest to find. The weathered tan facade photographs beautifully against the deep blue skies common to central New Mexico, and the contrast between the rough adobe texture and any passing clouds makes a polarizing filter worth considering. Shoot from a low angle to emphasize the mass of the walls and the modest tower rising above them, or step back to include the surrounding landscape and distant Sandia Mountains for context. Golden hour light raking across the textured surface brings out the depth of the adobe, with late afternoon being particularly flattering given the church's orientation. A 24-50mm range covers most compositions well. Street parking is available along the frontage road, and the exterior is easily accessible on foot. (Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States)