A Morning at Lullington Church with a Pinhole Camera

Nestled on the slopes of the South Downs, overlooking the serene Cuckmere Valley, stands one of England’s smallest churches—The Church of the Good Shepherd in Lullington. Almost hidden among a cluster of trees, its simple charm and historic character make it a truly unique destination. Dating back to the 13th century, this tiny church measures just 16 feet square and seats only 20 people, making it the smallest in Sussex.

Originally part of a larger church believed to have been destroyed by fire during Cromwellian times, it now serves as a peaceful reminder of centuries past. With no electricity, the church retains its rustic atmosphere, especially during candlelit evening services. The combination of its remarkable history, idyllic setting, and intimate scale draws visitors year-round—and it was the perfect subject for my Zero Image 4x5 pinhole camera.

I’ve visited Lullington Church a few times before, but usually in the harsher afternoon light, where the bright skies often overexposed the scene. This visit, however, was different. The morning was absolutely beautiful—the sun had just risen over the horizon, casting a soft glow, while the church remained gently sheltered in the shadow of the South Downs.

With barely any wind, it turned out to be the perfect morning to fly my DJI Neo and capture some stunning video footage for my YouTube channel.

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Lullington nestled on the slopes of the South Downs, overlooking the serene Cuckmere Valley

Watch the video on YouTube

With my film holders loaded with Fomapan 100 film, pushed to ISO 400, I was ready to begin shooting. Autumn was well and truly underway, and the ground was scattered with a rich carpet of fallen leaves, providing the perfect foreground interest for my first exposure.

For my second image, I removed one of the extension frames, setting the Zero Image to its widest configuration—25mm with an impressive 148.35° field of view. 

I positioned the camera next to a bench that created a natural leading line toward the church, perfectly framing the scene.

For my third image, I aimed to capture a view from one of the entrances. The gate, framed by surrounding bushes, created a natural frame that led the eye directly to the church at the center of the composition. To bring out the intricate details, I used a 4-minute exposure. This shot turned out to be my favorite from the morning—it perfectly encapsulates the charm of the setting.

While exploring the small church grounds, I came across a fascinating grave adorned with a sword resting on top. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make out any details from the inscription and haven’t uncovered much information elsewhere. Perhaps it belongs to a local soldier from years gone by.

Undecided on the composition and focal length, I set up two shots—one at the camera’s widest setting and the other at 50mm. Personally, I prefer the first image, as it captures a more expansive view. However, with both shots, I found myself wishing I had positioned the camera higher to include more of the sword atop the grave.

For my final image, I opted for a straightforward, head-on shot with the church perfectly centered in the frame. While some might find this composition a bit plain, I’ve always appreciated the simplicity and balance it brings. This approach allows the subject to speak for itself, highlighting the symmetrical charm and character of the building. It’s a technique I often return to with various subjects, as it has a timeless quality that works especially well with structures as serene and historic as this one.

Developing the film

For these 6 sheets of film, I opted for stand development instead of the usual method of agitating every minute. 

After submerging the film into the developer, I gently agitated for the first minute, followed by a couple of taps on the work surface to dislodge any bubbles that might have settled on the film.

From there, I let it sit undisturbed for 45 minutes.

I followed up with the usual stop bath, fix, and wash routine to complete the process.

 The developer I used was Ilford DDX, mixed at a 1+9 ratio.

Conclusion

In the quiet morning light, Lullington Church revealed its timeless charm, both through my Zero Image 4x5 pinhole camera and during the peaceful exploration of its grounds. From the intricate framing of the gate to the sword-adorned grave and the simple, centered shot of the church itself, each photograph captured a piece of the story this tiny, historic chapel holds.

This visit reminded me of the beauty in simplicity—both in the subjects we choose and the tools we use to document them. Lullington Church may be small, but its history, setting, and atmosphere leave a lasting impression. I’m excited to share these images and the experience with you, and I hope they inspire you to look for charm in the quieter, lesser-known corners of the world.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to the beautiful Lullington Church. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my experience and seeing the results of my pinhole photography. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to leave a comment or share your own experiences with capturing historic places. Until next time, happy shooting!

Support

If you like to support my work please check out these link.

Pinhole life - but my pinhole prints - https://pinholelife.com/

Digital and film - prints and downloads - https://www.willgudgeonphotography.co.uk/

Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willgudgeon