Security Guard Has a Change of Heart
While visiting the state capitols, I usually like to capture photographs of the state supreme courts as well. Sometimes, the historic supreme courts are located in the capitol building. Most times, the current courts are located in a nearby building outside of the capitol.
In North Carolina, the state supreme court is across the street from the capitol building. The first time I tried to enter the building, the doors were locked. The next morning I was on the capitol grounds so I tried again. This time the door was open.
After I entered the small lobby area, I asked the security guard if I could enter the courtroom for a few pictures. He said that the courtroom was closed. Court was not in session.
I explained that I prefer an empty courtroom since photography is almost never permitted when the supreme court justices are present. He replied that he thought the courtroom was undergoing renovation and that visitors would not be permitted that day. He suggested that the state seal in the lobby might make for an interesting subject.
I thanked him for the suggestion and went on to take a few photographs in the lobby. Although that isn't what I had in mind.
After a few minutes, the security guard had a change of heart. He called out to me that maybe he could escort me up to the courtroom. We could see if the room was under renovation or not. And, if I made it quick, he would give me time to capture a few photographs.
With the security guard standing next to me, I took a couple of horizontal photos and one vertical picture of the courtroom. It was a little more time consuming than it sounds as each of the three photographs consisted of seven exposures to create images with greater dynamic range. After the 21 exposures, he mentioned that we better head back down to the lobby as he couldn't be away from his station any longer.
On the way to and from the courtroom, I learned that the security guard has an interest in photography. He showed me a picture of the courtroom that he captured. His picture was far superior to mine as his photo has the justices posed behind the bench! It was his interest in photography that drove him to figure out a way for me to get my picture of the courtroom in the limited time that I was there.
While I'm sure that the lighting fixtures in the courtroom are energy efficient, they certainly don't provide that warm lighting that is present in so many courtrooms throughout the country.
