Durham Cathedral Photography Evenings

The cathereral is running two photography evenings on the 1st June and the 22nd July between 18.30 & 21.00.

No further information is available at the moment. It was recommended that contact was made about a month before the event.

Is anybody interested?

I have been told that the cathedral does not organise camera club visits etc. so it may be our best chance.

Yes please, I have voted. Can I bring the Horseman? K.

I've heard about it so many times I'd feel cheated if you did not.

Well spotted, I could actually make either day but have ticked the 1st in preference. I had the privileged of taking some pictures inside during the Lumière festival last year, what an amazing venue.

DOIK should know all about this, he's Durham Photographic Society's link with Durham Cathedral and liased a fantastic night of photography in there last summer when a couple of hundred camera buffs from a wide area turned up. The Cathedral does not normally allow photography so this is a rare chance.
david

Thanks David, I've been in touch via PM

I emailed the cathederal for details of the 1st June event - This is the reply:
"Dear Mr Forbes Please accept my apologies but the photography event was added to the web in error as the details have not yet been finalised. I have removed it from the web for the time being. Nearer the time, full details will be published on the web"

So I don't know if that could mean a change of date or what ever

You never know it may still happen, even if its because they are so embarrassed about posting the details incorrectly on the website.

There's been a change in the management at The Cathedral recently but I'm sure DOIK (John Attle) will keep us all posted if this photo opportunity comes up again.
david

A great shame - why is that :

Thats quite unusual, most Cathedrals I've come across welcome photography but look for a reasonable donation, if you keep yourself out of the way, tripods are ok, or at much less busy times, especially during the week.

I think English Heritage may have something to do with it, I believe they funded some restoration, and last time I was in Durham there was an English Heritage board outside.

We walked up to the main doors saw the no photography sign and walked away, I wonder how much that loses them a year in admission fees?

Anyway York Minster is much nicer and you can buy a permit which last for a whole year, no problems with tripods either.

Each Cathedral sets its own rules. At Durham the current system is that amateur and professional photographers may make a prior arrangement with the Dean and Chapter to take photos in return for a fee. You can't just turn up, pay a fee to a steward and expect to take photos as you can in many other English cathedrals. Last summer the Chapter clerk arranged an evening of photography through Durham Photographic Society and we invited other camera clubs from all over the Northern Counties to take part. It was a useful fund raising effort for the cathedral. Around 200 photographers turned up.
Durham PS and Durham Cathedral have an excellent working relationship and our annual print exhibiton is held there.
david

Durham do not charge for entry into the Cathedral unlike York.So you could have gone in and discovered why in a nationwide BBC poll held in 2001 it was voted the nation's best-loved building.

John:

It is my favourite building bar none. Well so far, but it is hard to beat. Let's hope the shoot can be arranged.

K.