Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Pride of London


Pride of London, originally uploaded by BombDog.

The mighty St Pauls from the Tate Modern. Wren's masterpiece is simply awesome - inside and out.
shot with Canon EOS 20D.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Athens' lights from Lycabettus hill

There are two hills in around the center of the city i live, Athens Greece. This is one of these two, called Lycabettus hill. There is a very small orthodox church and this is the bell tower. At the same direction is the parliament and rock of Acropolis.

Athens

Odeon

Athens

Theatre

Thursday, July 3, 2008

St. Peters - Rome


St. Peters - Rome, originally uploaded by T.SC.

The dome of St. Peters in Rome with the baldachin by Bernini beneath. Shot with Ilford Delta 3200
The dome of St. Peters is a building which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. Agrippa's Pantheon was destroyed along with other buildings in a huge fire in 80 AD; the current building dates from about 125 AD, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian, as date-stamps on the bricks reveal.

It was totally reconstructed with the text of the original inscription added to the new facade, a common practice in Hadrian's rebuilding projects all over Rome. Hadrian was a cosmopolitan emperor who traveled widely in the east and was a great admirer of Greek culture. He seems to have intended the Pantheon, a temple to all the gods, to be a kind of ecumenical or syncretist gesture to the subjects of the Roman Empire who did not worship the old gods of Rome, or who (as was increasingly the case) worshipped them under other names. How the building was actually used is not known.

It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history. Although the identity of the Pantheon's primary architect remains uncertain, it is largely assigned to Apollodorus of Damascus. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church.

Visiting it was difficult because of it's free access all day, making it impossible to stand freely in some spots and to take pictures. So ... we attended mass on Sunday morning.
With only a few other devouts we had the chance to stand in this two thousand years remarkable piece of architecture and listen to the ceremony in Italian. The rain was pouring through the dome's roof hole, but it was still a great moment. Yes I did follow the mass appropriatly and my camera was stored away. I took this picture just after mass and just before it was impossible to stand anywhere because of the frantic tourists clicking away.

Since the Renaissance the Pantheon has been used as a tomb. Among those buried there are the painters Raphael and Annibale Caracci, the architect Baldassare Peruzzi. Also buried there are two kings of Italy: Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto's Queen, Margherita. Although Italy has been a republic since 1946, volunteer members of Italian monarchist organisations maintain a vigil over the royal tombs in the Pantheon

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fontaine des Quatre Parties du Monde, Paris

Paris, c'est feerique le soir.....tout simplement dit.... Et si-dessous vous trouverez des liens qui vous dirigerons a plusieurs sites interessants au sujet de ce parc merveilleux et de cette fontaine si romantique.

(Loose translation of the name: "Fountain of the Four Corners of the Earth"....)
After an afternoon of taking photos of historic cafes in the Montparnasse district and walking back to the Seine the long way, it was a wonderful surprise to turn the corner and come upon this beautiful refreshing sight at the south end of Jardin du Luxembourg known as Jardin Marco Polo. The park was already closed as it was during winter hours. In a quiet spot where only the occasional jogger ran by, I set up my tripod. It was a pleasure spending an hour or so here, listening to the splashing of the water, and enjoying the dazzling light shining on the statues. They are a collaboration of four different artists. Here is some great information about this wonderful park in the Latin Quarter of Paris.

Notre Dame, Paris


Notre Dame, Paris, originally uploaded by Rita Crane Photography.

Une balade le long des quais sur la rive gauche, un jour tout gris, brumeux, et une des plus belles cathedrales de France. Il y a des visiteurs que l'on peut voir, l'un desquels fait un geste vers la facade de la cathedrale. Ceux-ci nous donnent une bonne idee de la grandeur de cet edifice extraordinaire.

The beauty of Notre Dame in Paris shines through even on this wintry day with its overcast soft sky. I was walking along the banks of the Seine and there she was, all her fine ancient details still with us after all these years! Notre Dame was built on the site of other churches and temples.

1160. Bishop Maurice de Sully (named Bishop of Paris), orders the original cathedral to be demolished.
1163. Cornerstone laid for Notre Dame de Paris - construction begins
1182. Apse and choir completed.
1196. Nave completed. Bishop de Sully dies.
1200. Work begins on Western Façade.
1225. Western Façade completed.
1250. Western Towers and North Rose Window completed
1250–1345. Remaining elements completed

Jeanne D'Arc at the Sacre Coeur, Paris

Montmartre is the tallest hill in Paris, and after the Eiffel Tower it is the tallest place in Paris. The statue of Joan of Arc - standing gallantly in front of the glowing basilica - contrasted beautifully against the twilight sky where I could see her from afar. She makes the photo for me, bringing a human touch to the grandeur. If Joan of Arc were alive today she would be leading us all to understand the importance of climate change.She would have been on the front lines of this issue, I am sure of it. Even though I am American, for some reason Joan of Arc is a powerful inspiration to me. Here she is, in front of the magnificent Sacre Coeur, overlooking one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Quand j'ai fait cette photo je ne savais pas que la statue equestrienne etait Jeanne D'Arc, une de mes heroines, mais lorsque j'ai recherche' sur l'internet, j'ai ete heureusement surprise de l'apprendre. Si elle etait toujours avec nous je suis persuade' qu'elle nous guiderait au sujet de notre peril contemporain, le changement du temps, et qu'elle serait la premiere a nous inspirer a changer nos habitudes pour que nos enfants et leurs enfants ne souffrent pas trop.

Paris by night.-


Paris by night.-, originally uploaded by ancama_99.

Paris de noche

Musée du Louvre. París


Musée du Louvre. París, originally uploaded by ancama_99.

Paris, l'amour...


Paris, l'amour..., originally uploaded by Payuta Louro.

Muchas veces una imagen vale más que mil palabras...
Esta es una de ellas.
No os voy a decir quien son estos dos porque perdería su encanto.
Solo os diré que el trípode se me caía cada dos por tres ;-)

Silhouettes on Paris.-


Silhouettes on Paris.-, originally uploaded by ancama_99.

Notre Dame at Twilight, Paris

Notre Dame is one of my favorite places of Paris. When I lived there years ago I used to go inside to sit down and enjoy the cool darkness and the quiet. Recently when I visit Paris, I still visit Notre Dame at least once, to go listen to the soprano singing vespers and just to Be there. It has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with the amazing beauty of this structure, and the energy there that has grown over the centuries as people of all faiths and walks of life have gone inside to connect with something ineffable but tangible, and greater than themselves. Just a fantastic space!! And if you have a chance to be there around 5:30 or 6:00 PM sit down and wait for the soprano to come sing solo accompanied by the organ, and let the sound wash through you. It is exquisitely beautiful....although I don't understand the Latin words, the feeling is so very very sincere and moving. Wondrous!

Little secret for those of you who love to find the golden treasures from the angels: look for the little chapel of La Vierge de Lourdes. It's inside along the north wall, near the entrance. Stay there a long while very quietly and watch the candles and the statue, and see what happens. Millions have prayed there. It is a mindspace of gossamer energy that soaks your soul in radiance. It knocked my socks off. And I left the cathedral with eyes of Wonder.

[Tout simplement dit, j'adore Notre Dame. Un de mes lieux preferes a Paris, j'y retourne chaque fois que j'ai l'occasion de visiter Paris. Et la derniere fois que j'y etais, je me suis trouvee devant la chapelle de la Vierge de Lourdes, tout tranquilement pendant longtemps. Le passe' - le present - et le future s'effondraient ensemble .... le temps passait et le temps ne passait pas. Dificile de m'arracher de cette orbe d'energie bienfaisante. Quand je suis sortie de la Cathdrale, je me suis sentie changee. Dans notre age de materialism regie par la Raison, il est heureusement toujours possible d'etre touche' par les Anges. Ils sont tres tres pres. On doit simplement laisse' la porte ouverte.]

Winter Afternoon along the Quais, Paris

This brisk winter afternoon in Paris, I was very much excited to take some pictures because it had rained and my favorite conditions were showing up. The low lying winter haze of the last 9 days that had prevented me taking the pictures I had hoped for, was finally over. I had extended my visit to Paris -- changed train reservations and hotel arrangements to stay an extra day in the hopes that there would be beautiful rainclouds and light. I was not disappointed: after visiting the Musee D'Orsay at midday, I came out onto the quai to a fabulous sky!! Slowly making my way towards Notre Dame I shot an entire set. The sun, being low in the west created a rosy golden wonderfulness, throwing winter shadows on the wall. The magic time of day was here!

1. View in large if you like.

2. I've already posted some images from this very same afternoon and sunset: Henri IV, Winter Dusk, Winter Sunset at Quai De Conti, and After the Storm, Quai des Orfevres. (All in my France set). All taken within about three hours of one another. This was the first one....and a few more coming soon.

note: Nadine: you asked about the lens. for this shot I was using my Fuji Finepix S7000 6.2 megapixel camera whose lens is a 35 mm equivalent (35 mm - 210 mm range). I am currently using only a CANON EOS 20D with two lenses: a wide angle (28 - 88 mm equivalent) and zoom (45 - 215 mm equivalent with image stabilizer feature for tricky exposures.)

[J'etais a Paris deja depuis neuf jours sans avoir eu l'atmosphere que j'attendais pour mes images, car l'hiver nous avait donne que des ciels couverts. Donc, avec l'esperance qu'un orage qui devais arrive pendant la nuit allait bien se produir, j'ai change mon itineraire pour pouvoir rester a Paris encore une journee. Je n'ai pas ete decue. En sortant du Musee D'Orsay j'etais heureuse de decouvrir un ciel emouvant et une lumiere de fin de journee splendide. Vous aurez deja peut-etre vu mes autres photos de cet apres-midi: Le Henri IV, Le Quai de Conti au coucher du soleil, Le Quai des Orfevres, et La Vue du Louvre et le Pont des Arts au crepuscule. Je posterai d'autres dans cette serie, en les ajoutant a celles de Paris dans mon set de France.]

Rue du Temple, Paris

Red Lanterns on Rue du Temple!! One more reason to love Paris and France: a country that has accepted diverse cultures for centuries. How delightful to discover this scene as I was wandering around the Marais, on Chinese New Year 2007. I had come to Paris to photograph historic cafes for a series I am working on, and was crossing through the Marais looking for motifs. I wasn't expecting this: Ancient China meets Rue du Temple in Paris!! My dear, lovely, fascinating Paris.....you are full of surprises!

Des lanternes rouges qui formaient une guirlande le long de la Rue du Temple......Quelle belle petite surprise! C'etait la nouvelle annee chinoise, il y a un an, et je me baladais dans le quartier du Marais, etant venue a Paris pour photographier des cafes historiques pour une serie. Je ne m'attendais pas du tout a cette scene si feerique! C'etait comme si la France avait encore une fois ouvert ses bras genereux: aujourd'hui c'etait une ancienne civilization qu'elle acceuillait.

Il etait tard, la nuit tombait, donc pas beaucoup de lumiere, mais les petites boules rouges contrastaient joliment avec les murs gris le long de la rue et j''ai fait de mon mieux pour les capturer sans troipieds.

Pont Marie at Night, Paris

The Pont Marie, named after the 17th century engineer who designed it, is one of the oldest bridges of Paris, completed in 1635 and connecting the Ile St Louis to the right bank. Here's a fantastic old etching of a view very near to the exact spot from which I took the photo of Pont Marie.
There were originally meant to be statues in the niches and there were houses lining the bridge, like on many of the bridges of Old Europe. The following links are a great resource on the bridges of Paris with old postcards and etchings showing the changes they went through as Paris grew and evolved. Very fun if you like history!



"C'est l'ingénieur Christophe Marie qui donnera son nom à l'édifice, composé de cinq arcades d'environ quatre mètres de portée chacune et reposant sur des piles à charpente de bois. L'une de ces arcades enjambe la berge. D'une longueur de 92 mètres, le pont, conçu en dos d'âne, est d'une largeur de 22 mètres, exceptionnelle pour l'époque. Il supportait une double rangée de maisons qui seront détruites en 1786. Le dégel provoquera l'effondrement de 2 arcades entraînant dans leur chute 22 maisons en 1658. Cette partie sera reconstruite sans habitation. Les pentes du dos d'âne seront adoucies lors de la rénovation du pont de 1851. Le pont est d'architecture classique avec une décoration de style Renaissance. Des niches vides encadrées ornent les tympans qui surmontent les piles massives. Elles ne recevront jamais les statues qui devaient y séjourner."

DSC00879 - Rue de Rivoli (Paris)

Rue de Rivoli (Paris)

This is a very unusual view, from the top of the nearby Saint-Jacques Tower (off-limit, no trespassing and permanently closed to the public). The photo was taken at night using long exposure.

Glimpse of the Marais, Paris

Glimpse of the Marais, Paris

The notes on the image explain a lot about this photo that shows one of the most ancient houses in Paris. This is a snapshot taken with my first little digital camera, an Olympus Camedia.
My ninth "Postcard from Paris" showing what for many years was said to be the oldest house in Paris still standing in its entirety. It turns out that it dates to 1641 rather than the 1200's as once was thought and the oldest house, dating to the 1300's is actually around the corner. (I didn't get a picture of that one but you can see it at the link below.) While walking around these old streets I love imagining what the entire neighborhood looked like centuries ago. Of course it would have just been a dirt road, and later cobbled. All of Paris looked like this, except for the palaces, churches, and mansions sprinkled among the working peoples' five story narrow 'apartments'. They had no running water or sewage.

Encore une "Carte Postale de Paris"! Celle-ci, faite avec ma petite Olympus Camedia il y a 5 ans. Il y a plusieurs maisons anciennes a Paris dont on dit qu'elles sont les plus anciennes. Celle-ci dans le Marais en est une. Mais on dit sur Wikipedia "On a longtemps pensé que la maison du n°3 était la plus vieille maison de Paris et qu'elle datait de 1300, alors qu'elle date de 1644 comme on le découvrit en 1979. En fait sauf nouvelle surprise, la plus ancienne maison de Paris se trouve non loin de là, rue de Montmorency (1407)." Interessant d'imaginer Paris d'autrefois quand on regarde ce vieux batiment...et ses alentours qui a l'epoque etaient la campagne avec des champs, des potagers, et vergers. Avant les rues il y avaient des petits chemins partout, juste assez large pour admettre des chevaux avec leurs chariots.

Notre Dame, Paris, France


Notre Dame, Paris, France, originally uploaded by jgarber.

Notre Dame de Paris, perhaps the most famous cathedral in the world, sits on Île de la Cité in downtown Paris.