St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Here are some shots from my last trip to The Vatican that I just completed editing.

It was the second time I visited The Vatican, and one of the things I brought along to Europe with me on my last trip was the super-fast, Nikkor 50mm 1.4 prime lens. I knew from prior experience that it is very difficult to get sharp shots inside the large cathedrals of Europe, and they tend to frown upon photographer's setting up tripods inside churches and telling the priests to "strike a pose".

St. Peter's gets more light inside it than most others, but still it is a challenge. Even with a 1.4 lens I still had to shot at ISO 800. St. Peter's is so big and filled with so many Japanese tourists (no offense to the Japanese) that is nearly impossible inside it to get grand, wide-angle shots, so I focused on a lot of details.

St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Sculpture of St. Peter at The Vatican. Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Cobblestones in Piazza San Pietro in front of St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Columns lining the facade of St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Church pews inside St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Michelangelo was the original architect of St. Peter's. His design called for a "plus shaped" nave, but it was later extended to the longer "cross shaped" nave. The dome of St. Peter's was designed by Michelangelo, though not finished in his lifetime.

The spectacular dome of St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Sumptuously decorated Interior St. Peter's basilica in Rome, Italy.

Catholic priest walking into a confessional inside St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Detail of the intricate marble floor of inside St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Minor cupola inside St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Michelangelo was 25 years-old when he finished this Pietà.

Pietà by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Cathedral. Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

All images are Copyright Terry Smith, 2007. All Rights Reserved.