I took a series of photographs of the nave at Ripon from the clerestory. It wasn't an easy climb - with the tripod and gear scraping along the spiral stair walls. I had a limited amount of time - the light shafts were dissipating. We'd prepped by releasing incense in various places, first thing in the morning, before the cathedral was open.
It was lovely seeing people walk in afterwards and look up to the light shafts with awe. It wasn't an act of God, but a carefully planned bit of magic between myself and the cathedral's Joe Priestley.
I didn't realise how limited my movements would be whilst taking this shot. I was strapped to the safety wire and once I pressed the shutter button I had to stay still for around 30 seconds of exposure (I bracketed these shots - taking a series of underexposed and overexposed shots).
I was so focused on getting the shot that I didn't feel the red hot radiator pipe beneath my shin until after the exposure. I thought nothing of it - until later - I noticed a large blister on my leg. I still have the Ripon scar to this day - but I think it was worth it.
It's hard to explain how fatiguing it is working towards a key photograph. The physical and mental activity.
After each day of work at Ripon, my reward was a cup of tea and a biscuit in the cathedral utility room. And what a room it is - surrounded by medieval wall paintings that aren't available for the public to see.
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That aura, those echoes - the muted light is transporting. What a space to feel rooted in history. I'd love to make that journey myself; you've stirred the opera lover and architectural dreamer in me.
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