Stow In Lindsey

Many years ago I was encouraged to try my hand at taking panoramic views. At first stitching one picture next to another didn’t seem to me much of an idea. Then I was introduced to a photographer who pointed out that with panoramic views you could take photographs round corners.

No holding the lad after that because I realized you could also take pictures one on top of the other (vertically) and I tried turning round at the same time!! Some of my loyal readers of this blog may remember a circular picture taken inside Norwich Cathedral.

Always on the lookout for something a bit different I discovered Stow Minster in Lincolnshire. This beautiful yet majestic church seems to date from the 10^th century although it is possible there were earlier foundations on the site. Nevertheless the building appealed to me because inside the church the cross shape is uncluttered. I know most churches are basically cruciform in shape but Stow Minster allows you to stand in the middle of the building and to see not only the chancel and sanctuary but also the entire length of the nave. Then turning through 90 degrees the south transept and, but for an organ, there is a north transept.

This gift of a building allowed me to take a 360 degrees panorama from roof to floor.

The photograph is not constructed with a fish eye lens but with 108 separate images blended together. Taking the pictures took over two hours and processing nearly two weeks (fitted in round other work!)

My thanks to the church warden of Stow David Justham who advised me on timing of my visits and to my wife who engineered a long enough stay in the village so that I could take the shots.

I have to say that it is another of those secret places that you ought not to miss, Your homework this week is to look it up on the map of Lincolnshire it’s not easy to find, but certainly worth a visit. It would help if I had spelled Stow correctly the first time – please note “Stow” not “Stowe” – that should make the task of finding it a bit easier.