South Parish Congregational Church
This Gothic Revival church from 1865 is one of the finest works of Maine architect Francis H. Fassett, and its striking verticality, pointed arches, and ornate stonework make it a compelling subject for architectural photography. Position yourself across Church Street to capture the full facade with a moderate wide-angle lens, or move in close to isolate the decorative stonework and lancet windows as detail shots. The adjacent 1889 parish house offers an interesting contrast in styles, and framing both structures together tells a richer architectural story. Overcast days work particularly well here, as soft diffused light prevents harsh shadows in the window recesses and brings out the texture in the stone and woodwork. Early morning on a weekday keeps foot traffic low. A 24-70mm lens covers most compositions, but a tilt-shift lens is worth considering if you want to correct the converging verticals on the tall facade. (Augusta, Maine, United States)
