The Trappist Monastery near Conyers greeted us with copious Spring sunshine, but the temperature was cold and the wind was blustery!  A baker’s dozen members and a few guests participated in the club’s first field trip of the year on Saturday March 28. Due to the brisk, chilling breeze, many focused their photography on the interior of the Monastery’s incredible concrete-construction, cathedral-like “sanctuary,” while a few braved the outside elements around the beautiful grounds, forests and lakes.

image

Atlanta Photographic Society group at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit Heritage Center.  Ruth, Ru and Stan were there too, but somehow they missed the group shot.  Jim H. was behind the camera.

With all those photographers, I hope everyone came away with some unique perspective of the Sanctuary.  Here’s one of mine:

Monastery Sanctuary by Jim Harrison

It will also be very interesting to see the variety of shots of both the grounds and other Monastery buildings.  I do hope that only a few photographers stumbled into each other’s pictures in the Sanctuary!

image

Shooting in the Sanctuary

Everyone had a good time, and the majority of the group ‘pigged out’ for lunch together after the shoot at Pippin’s Barbecue nearby.

image

Paiboon and Jim 'work'in’ & 'grin'in’

We also made friends with a group of motorcycle bikers and with some of the wildlife down at the pond.

image

Friend at the Pond by Jim Harrison

Since the Monastery is home to about 40 monks, and is a well known center for contemplative prayer and retreats (including the occasional photography retreat), here’s one last contemplative image to wrap up this report.

image

Madonna and Child Statue by Jim Harrison

Jim Harrison, President

PS - For the next field trip report, everyone please send me a couple of images. That way you won’t be stuck just looking at mine!