Midnight mass on a mountain

[annnna8888]

Every Christmas there is a midnight mass held in a chapel on a mountain not far from where I live. I was there a couple of years ago and took pictures, but the wind was so strong I practically had to use all of my weight to keep the tripod from falling over. This year the weather was more merciful, there was almost no wind and the temperatures were tolerable.

We parked the car somewhere along the forest road at about 9 p.m. and started walking along the path in the dark. We even turned the headlamps off. It was exhilarating! After a one-hour climb we reached the plateau with many mountains cabins and the chapel. There were already a lot of people with torches and headlamps heading towards the chapel for the mass.
1.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V06-Velplanina-19.jpg


People were ascending the small hill with the chapel (the wavy headlamp trails) and some were throwing explosive devices :D:
2.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V01-Velplanina-05.jpg


I climbed the opposite slope and took pictures of the chapel and people around it:
3.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V09-Velplanina-14.jpg


There are many mountain cabins here that used to be, and still are to a certain extent, a shepherd's village. Cows are herded to this mountain every summer and many people spend the whole season here. With or without the cows. :wink
4.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V11-Velplanina-22.jpg


When the service was over, the crowd started to leave.
5.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V14-Velplanina-28.jpg


A steady procession could be seen heading back. While I was taking multi-minute exposures, I was amazed by the light pollution from the valley.
6.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V19-Velplanina-47.jpg


With almost everybody gone I climbed the ridge and stared at the lights below. It was mesmerizing. And cold! Here the wind picked up and soon I was jumping around and doing squats to warm myself up while I was waiting for the photo to be taken.
7.
http://anapogacar.com/journal/albums/album812/V20-Velplanina-48.jpg


I joined my friends at the nearby hut for a sip of schnapps (well, it WAS cold! :D) and then descended back to the car. I was in bed by 5 a.m.

If you're interested, there are more photos in my photo journal (http://anapogacar.com/journal/thumbnails.php?album=168). Comments appreciated!

Ana

[mrlassiter]

Absolute FUN!. Wish I had been there... Very nice photos. Kinda ethereal...
-mrlassiter

[Eia]

Oh..the first and last two are awe inspiring - literally! I bet this was a great experience...it sure sounded like it. Did you lug a tripod with you?

[Candid Arts]

VERY very interesting series. I love #7, the way the city (?I'm guessing...) lights look in the back. But they are all great.

[coscorrosa]

WOW! I've never seen photos like this before, very unique, and you did a great job capturing them. My favorites are #1, 6, and 7. Well worth the cold.

[shniks]

Hey Ana- I LOVE #1, 4, 6 and 7... really fun shots. :clap :clap :clap



Cheers,

[fjf511]

:thumb Awesome pictures, it looks like an amazing event

[aj986s]

Excellent pictures! :clap The light trails look so surreal in that setting. And in a couple of pictures, the star trails look almost like snowfall. Fun to look at!

[annnna8888]

Thanks, everybody!

Did you lug a tripod with you?
Of course I lugged a tripod with me. Exposures of several minutes would be hard to get without one as there's practically nothing to put your camera on except on the ground. :D

I love #7, the way the city (?I'm guessing...) lights look in the back.
It's not a city, it's several small towns and villages. But it's amazing how much light we emit into the sky, isn't it?

Ana

[schmoo]

Ana, nice work! This is a really interesting and quite a different subject matter, topped with a great story and the mysterious lighting.

Keep warm next year! :D

[jeffmeyers]

This is a great series. Very well done. But #5 and #7 are my favorites. :clap

[speedsk8r]

i'm a color man very nice pics,nice and vibrant.