Fortunately for me, during the 17th Week of the year (or starting it, more precisely) was a mass celebrating the opening of the 56th Plenary Meeting of the Antilles Episcopal Conference in Guyana. Months prior to it, I was asked to help cover the event photographically, specifically the group photograph of the Bishops attending, while I usually don’t do portrait photos, I finally acquiesced to give it a try, and was permitted to call in some help.
I was fortunate to have helping me, for the mass coverage, four other photographers, who volunteered their time and expertise; Troy Parboo, Fidal Bassier, Derek Rogers and Joseph Lewis. I was truly glad for their assistance as I don’t do “people” and event photography too well, Troy and Fidal have had much experience in these areas and truly came through for me, and Derek Rogers has covered many events for more years than the rest of us combined, he also did my Wedding 🙂 Joseph came with less experience but much eagerness and a good knowledge of the proceedings that was invaluable.
It was agreed upon beforehand that the clergy of the church would prefer to have very few people “gallivanting” around the upper walkways, so I volunteered to be the one doing the running around (okay, I hogged it!)
This week’s deck photo I chose from that set. After taking a group photo of the Bishops, I ran across the road, hurried through the church and scampered all the way up to an overhead walkway that allowed a very high vantage point (Bishop Francis had expressed a desire to have a photo from up there after I had mentioned the view).
Although I have a liking for many of the others that I took, I chose this one for the Deck, it shows the High Altar of the Cathedral from above, with all the Bishops, Monsignor, Priests, Deacon and Altar Servers. It also shows a bit of the “Our Lady” altar behind, the passage (to the left) that I took around the altar and the pipes of the old Pipe Organ on the right.
Click on the photo for a better view in the Gallery, also in the album there are a few others from the event that I chose to share.
You can’t always nail a great opportunity, but from this one it looks like you did well. I don’t really like these kinds of high pressure situations, but I don’t suppose you can turn down something like this 🙂
No, you can’t really turn it down, but having people like Troy, Fidal and Derek covering the people and the main activities, and having Joseph along as well, really made it much easier on me. THe portrait shot was still nerve wracking!!!
fantastic shot Mike
Thanks Angela! the circumstances were just right for a great shot from where I was 🙂
What a beautiful Album. I enjoyed look at all of the pictures. Brought back many happy memories of other occasions in the Cathedral. As usual you did a great job. The other guys took any of these?
Hi A. Rose, these were all from my set, I wouldn’t put up anyone else’s photos without their permission 🙂
Also, I think they would showcase their own at some time 🙂
What a GREAT point of view!
Thanks David! I was fortunate to be able to get up there. The original plan never included shots from that spot, but I couldn’t resist checking it out 🙂