Rajan Parrikar Photo Blog

Our Lady of Socorro

Merry Christmas to all readers.

Socorro here refers to the village in Bardez, Goa, not the town in New Mexico, USA (site of the Very Large Array).

The Church of Nossa Senhora do Socorro was built in 1763, and is ensconced in serene, picturesque surroundings. Its annual feast is celebrated every year on November 21. There are 4 altars inside, the main one dedicated to Our Lady of Socorro. Architectural highlights of the edifice are summarized below.

From: The Parish Churches of Goa by José Lourenço (Amazing Goa Publications, 2006)
  • Mannerist Neo-Roman, large, 5 x 3
  • Sequence of Arch-Rectangle-Oculus-Niche
  • Template has angels in relief at base and Franciscan insignia ‘AM’ at top
  • Tri-engaged columns in façade
  • Reduplicated mouldings in ground storey
  • Five quatrefoil openings in 3rd storey
  • Twin towers with stacked-pot finials
  • Oversized bell mounted outside right tower
 

Photographing the main altar presented a challenge. With natural light filtering in from only one side, the illumination was asymmetric. The artificial lighting in the interior was likewise patchy. I bracketed a set of exposures with the expectation that at least one would be optimal enough to withstand post-processing work to even out the tones.

Without the superb Canon Tilt-Shift 17mm lens, single exposure takes like the first two images below would not have been possible.

 
Nossa Senhora do Socorro church in Socorro, Goa

Church of Nossa Senhora do Socorro (1763) in Socorro, Goa
5D Mark II, TS-E 17L

 
Altar at Socorro church

Main altar at Socorro
5D Mark II, TS-E 17L

 
Shrine to Mary outside Socorro church

Shrine to Mary outside Socorro church
5D Mark II, 24-105L

 
 
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