A few days ago I had the privelage of visiting the youth office over at the Cardinal Rigali Center (a mere five minute drive from Kenrick-Glennon), and meeting with Ray, a friend who runs most of the technical aspects of the youth office (website, sound system, graphics, etc.). He let me use a new Nikon 55-200mm VR lens the office bought for their own Nikon D40 (I use the same camera...). And the Rigali Center has a beautiful chapel (the Rigali Center used to be 'Kenrick' Seminary a few decades ago), so I tested the lens in there.
The lens is great (especially since it reduces vibration... which is a problem with my somewhat shaky hands), but I like the pictures taken with it even more. Using HDR photography (where I take three pictures, one brighter and darker than the normal picture in-between), I made a few very beautiful images of the woodwork and artistry in the chapel. I hope to go back and spend a little more time taking pictures (and praying!) in that chapel.
The sanctuary and reardos of the chapel, with some stained glass behind:
Detail of some of the wood engraving in the rear of the Church (the Latin translates to 'shrine in honor of...' and on the other side of the entryway it has two saints—I forget who they are, though):
Sometime soon, when I have a few hours free, I will be taking some HDR pictures (like these) of the Seminary's Chapel of St. Joseph, which has it's own beauty (especially the stained glass windows!).