CAPTION: Steve said, the beauty of his photographs is that "you don't know what you're going to get...but I think each photo tells a story."
Church Stained Glass Windows as You’ve Never Seen Them Before
Steve Bunce, a photographer from Barnstaple, has taken a series of breath-taking photos of church stained glass windows across Devon and throughout the UK.
Steve, who is a member of Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple, and has just finished training as a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM), began taking the photos as a way of experimenting with different photography styles.
-
Steve’s photographs are open to interpretation and each tell a story.
He said it began at his stepson’s wedding rehearsal, where he did an intentional moving shot of a stained glass window to see what the result would be.
Steve said he was surprised by the effect and decide to continue photographing more windows.
He said “You don’t know what you’re going to get…but I think each photo tells a story.
“One of my favourite photos was taken at All Saints church in North Molton. I think the image looks like Joseph and Mary holding the baby Jesus.
“Another photo I took in Exeter looks like a Resurrection cross, one taken in Wiltshire looks like angels dancing, and another one looks like an image of Pentecost, with the flames of the Holy Spirit coming down.”
One of the beauty of Steve’s photos is that everyone who sees them will see something different in them.
Steve has been taking photos across Devon, including Barnstaple, Exeter, and Lundy, but also further afield. He has visited churches in Cornwall, Wiltshire and Salisbury Cathedral to take artistic photos of their stained glass windows.
Steve said, “It’s great fun going to different churches and seeing different church windows, and trying to put an interpretation on them.”
-
Steve sees this photograph, which was taken in Exeter, as a Resurrection cross.
Steve always wanted to be able to use his photography in ways that connect with his faith. He said, “My photo walks are often to quiet places, where there is no phone signal so it allows space for me to pray and give thanks to God for many things.
“Light and water are common themes in my pictures, and to me this relates to The Holy Spirit and God’s goodness.
“Not everyone will see this in my pictures, but I hope many do.”
One of Steve’s favourite photographers is John Blakemore, who Steve said inspired him on this journey. Steve said, “It’s all part of the journey; looking at other people’s work and enjoying their artwork, and enjoying taking pictures.”
If you would like to see Steve’s gallery of photographs, click here. To find out more about Steve’s photography, click here to email.
Watch the video below where Steve shares his artwork and some of the stories behind them.
Are you feeling inspired? The Church of England is running a social media campaign called Stained Glass Summer, inviting people to go into their local church and take photos of the stained glass windows to share on social media. If you would like to find out more or get involved, click here.
