Photographing the Old Sheldon Church Ruins at Night was an interesting challenge that I gave myself. In my quest to keep improving as a photographer, I am continually looking for interesting challenges and looking for ways to overcome any hurdles that might prevent me from getting "the shot" that I envision. Sometimes a challenge such as this one might include many months of planning before I actually even have the opportunity to take "the shot". Patience is a virtue, lol.

My first experience photographing the Old Sheldon Church Ruins included a day trip. I wanted to scout out the area, become familiar with it, and also see if it would even be possible to do night photography there. If so, what direction would the Milky Way be in relation to the ruins? Would there be a clear view of it? Would there be any obstructions, e.g. branches, blocking the view? All of these questions would need to be answered during the day trip which proved very fruitful. The Old Sheldon Church Ruins is an awesome place for photographers. Even during the daylight hours, it is a wonderfully awesome place to shoot.

The above photo, "Old Sheldon Church Ruins", was photographed during the day trip in April 2017. I determined (estimated) that this would be the best view in order to have a chance at capturing the Milky Way above it based on my knowledge of which direction the Milky Way comes up during this time of year.

Although not quite part of Coastal Georgia, it is only an hour drive from Savannah, Georgia. Located on Old Sheldon Church Road near Yemasee, South Carolina, it is the ruins of a church built before the Revolutionary War.

The church was built between 1751-1757 and primarily paid for by Lt. Governor William Bull I who owned a plantation in the area. William Bull died in 1755 and is buried in the center of the church. The church was burned partially by local loyalists during the raid of General Augustine Provost in 1779 during the American Revolution and rebuilt between 1825-1826. In the early times it was called Prince William's Parish Church. Sheldon was the name of William Bull's plantation and where the name "Old Sheldon Church" comes from. It was an Anglican church.

The church lasted until the Civil War. It was assumed by many area residents and widely believed that Federal troops burned the church after Sherman's "March to the Sea" which brought him through Savannah. He spared Savannah, but entered South Carolina and resumed his campaign of destruction. The church was not burned, but was actually dismantled after the Civil War by local freedmen between 1865-1867 who needed supplies to build their own homes.

So, my next step was to schedule a night trip with just a few photography friends. I didn't want a big group because I was still unsure if we would even be able to get "the shot", nor did I want to go out there by myself because I was totally unsure of what it would be like at night. So, with cameras and a few flashlights in hand we headed out in the late hours of the night and I was able to get some pretty good night shots. I was very pleased with some of the results.

I envisioned getting these shots with the Milky Way as I was scouting the area during a the day visit. Visits here are great photographic opportunities, whether during the day or at night. The day photographs are obviously much more easier to obtain and well worth it, and night photography ALWAYS presents itself with it's own photographic and logistical challenges. These photographs should not be attempted at night, unless you really know what you are doing, are really familiar with the area, and are an experienced night photographer.