SUMMARY
An exhibition at London's Southwark Cathedral highlights the extensive behind-the-scenes effort behind Peter Marlow's large-format cathedral photographs, taken between 2010 and 2012. The display includes Marlow's planning notes, revealing months of administrative tasks, negotiations with cathedral staff, and the use of instant film for exposure tests. Marlow utilized a Sinar F1 monorail camera and shot at small apertures for long exposures, emphasizing a consistent, disciplined approach across all 42 photographed buildings.
TAKEAWAYS
Marlow's cathedral photography involved significant administrative planning and access negotiation.
Instant film Polaroids were used for composition and exposure testing before large-format shots.
The project required consistent discipline, including specific lighting and orientation, across diverse cathedrals.
Marlow used a Sinar F1 camera with a 115mm lens, shooting at f/22-f/32 for exposures lasting one to five minutes.