Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide

Chapter 12. Grace Cathedral

A view of the Grace Cathedral taken just after sunrise on a clear summer day. Taken at ISO 100, f/8, 1/60 second with a 14–24mm lens.

Why It's Worth a Photograph

Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal cathedral located on Nob Hill in San Francisco. The church was founded during the gold rush year of 1849. Grace Cathedral is the daughter of historic Grace Church. The cathedral community is known for its open-mindedness. All kinds of people walk through these doors every day. Many come to participate in worship services, walk the labyrinths, seek a peaceful place, or pray. Famed as a destination for visitors from all over the world, the cathedral is known for its striking gothic architecture, amazing collection of art, beautiful stained-glass windows, and its medieval and contemporary furnishings. The cathedral entrance has an impressive pair of doors, often called the Ghiberti doors. They are a copy of the doors of the Florence Baptistry, also dubbed Gates of Paradise. Laid out on the floor of Grace Cathedral is a labyrinth that is based on the famous medieval labyrinth of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres (the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres) located in Chartres, France. It is said that if a visitor walks the pattern of the labyrinth, it will bring him to a meditative state. Why is this worth a picture? The beautiful gothic architecture, the medieval-style furnishings, ...