Simply To Thy Cross I Cling: Alstonefield : St Peter's Church

Monday 23 April 2012

Alstonefield : St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church : Alstonefield

North side, showing East Window & West Tower.

**Technical Details**

Date : 18 July 2010 - 19.39hrs

Fuji FinePix S2Pro DSLR

Focal Length : 18mm (27mm 135eq)

Shutter Speed/Aperture : 0.7s@F22

ISO - 100

Alstonefield is situated in the Staffordshire Moorlands area of the Derbyshire Peak District. Located on the south side of the village, St Peter's Church dates back to Norman times. The churchyard has one of the oldest gravestones in the county, dedicated to the memory of Anne Green, dated 1518.

**Post Editing Details**

RAW format converted to JPEG

Resized to 72dpi

Adobe Photoshop CS5

B&W Conversion - Silver Efex Pro2

Colour Conversion - Colour Efex Pro3

::links::

St Peter's Church : Alstonefield

Alstonefield : Staffordshire Places

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"Simply To Thy Cross I Cling"

"Simply To Thy Cross I Cling" ...

I started this photographic pilgrimage in 2009, with the target of visiting and photographing the exteriors and interiors of all the churches and chapels under the Church of England banner.

I'd been photographing churches since I took up photography, but there was a lack of cohesion to my body of work. It was after studying and researching the Church of England churches and chapels, that I decided on concentrating solely on those within the Derbyshire Diocese and Peak District boundary.

Initial studies led me to believe there were just over 90 churches within the perimeters of my studies. On further research and much closer inspection, that figure is now over 330!

During 2009 when this idea was born and 2010, I was fortunate to have access to private transport. 2011 saw me become a daily user of public transport, starting out in Sheffield and making my way across the Derbyshire towns and Peak District villages. On reflection, I prefer the travelling by bus, I see more than I ever would sat behind the wheel of a car. Though being restricted to timetables and mileage, I believe I would have passed the 200 mark by now.

On my travels I've met many inspirational people, from travelling preachers to ex-miners tending to their church gardens and even a Finnish woman who spent time with me on the roads to churches across the county.

As I research even further into the histories of the churches, villages, myths and folklore tales, I feel as though what was a minimum of five years to complete the work, it will be a lifelong study, of which I cannot complain.

The object of this work is to provide a reference for future generations, I feel as though it will be a photographic legacy to leave for those who have an interest in Derbyshire, The Peak District, Churches and Chapels and photography too.

For those who wonder why such a subject. Personally, I love being alone in churches, taking in the history, the atmosphere, the serenity and calmness. Silent prayer, when all around outside, the world is racing at break neck speed to complete and compete, is a luxury I don't take for granted. I was asked, "Do you get frightened by being surrounded by death and sadness?" ... to which I replied.. "Those who have passed away can't harm me, or anyone else, it's the living that do that!!"

The name of this photographic project is taken from a memorial carving situated in Eyam, St Laurence's Churchyard. Of which there will be a photograph at some point amongst the posts on here.

So, if you're reading this... and happen to cross my path at some point, make sure you come over and say "hello" ...

Taylor

April 1st 2012