NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 00:18:06

Title: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 00:18:06
On my way from Amsterdam to Florence I was sat next to the window with a D750 and a 45P.
First two night shots of both cities. I was lucky that we flew over both as is not the case as we all know...

Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 18:44:02
I was in Florence 35 years ago. Then I was bored. Now, I am in awe :)
Apart from the zillions of tourists I felt like I was transported back in time some 500 years or so.
The Cathedral
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Anirban Halder on October 13, 2016, 19:13:51
The Cathedral

That's a picture right out from a history book. Interesting PP. Nice!! :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Erik Lund on October 13, 2016, 19:20:55
Nice and sharp,,, ;) Enjoy!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 19:49:36
Thank you Anirban and Erik! I appreciate your words very much!
Here is the Cathedral again, but this time with the Italian "tricolore" :)
10.5 merge.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 20:12:53
Museo Nazionale
Donatello - St John the Baptist

The amount of detail in the foot is amazing.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 21:27:21
High contrast on Fiume Arno :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 21:38:59
Where I live, you need to take care of cyclists. It's another situation in Florence :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR
Post by: Akira on October 13, 2016, 21:40:27
I was in Florence 35 years ago. Then I was bored. Now, I am in awe :)

Jakov, as always, I enjoy your interpretation of the city you visit.  I was in Florence 34 years ago, and so we've seen the city in the same period.  I haven't been there since, but my friend pro photog went there a couple of month ago.  Looking at his images shot there, I was surprised how "little" it changed.  Did you feel the same way?

Edit: I haven't seen that many motor cycles, which is a big change for sure.  But I was talking about the overall cityscapes.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Erik Lund on October 13, 2016, 21:49:40
High contrast on Fiume Arno :)
Shot of the year
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 21:53:07
I believe nothing has changed for 500 years.
Mind you 35 years ago I was so young that I only remember the fuss about Michelangelo and some bridge...
The beauty of Florence is its petit size. Everything is walking distance and everything is simply on top of you.
The only drawback are the tourists. Since it is a small city and the tourists go in groups of 20, I got annoyed although a tourist myself. I wonder how the locals feel :)
Will they start protesting as the fellow Venetians have?
That is why I like Ghent. You feel the same history everywhere around you but you don't see so many tourists...

Santa Croce - Dante and the Basilicum
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 21:55:45
Shot of the year

Erik, I am flattered  :o
See what happens when you shoot the 45P :D
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Akira on October 13, 2016, 22:05:04
I believe nothing has changed for 500 years.
Mind you 35 years ago I was so young that I only remember the fuss about Michelangelo and some bridge...
The beauty of Florence is its petit size. Everything is walking distance and everything is simply on top of you.
The only drawback are the tourists. Since it is a small city and the tourists go in groups of 20, I got annoyed although a tourist myself. I wonder how the locals feel :)
Will they start protesting as the fellow Venetians have?
That is why I like Ghent. You feel the same history everywhere around you but you don't see so many tourists...

Santa Croce - Dante and the Basilicum

Jakov, thanks for sharing your observation.  Indeed I enjoyed strolling around the city thanks to its small size.  Kanazawa of Japan (the friendship town of Ghent) is also a nice city of the same kind.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 22:17:44
When I grow up and finally reach Japan, Kanazawa is number 1 on the priority list thanks to you my friend :)
I will forget the name of the town, however  :-[

While Frank is living the American Dream and enjoying the Californian sun.
I am listening to The Ramones - California Sun: "Where the days are short and the nights are long..."
And, I am thinking about him while processing the stereo Dolby surround of the organs in the Basilica de Santa Croce.

Joke aside, the Basilica is humongous and I was impressed, seriously. I hope I am not going to exaggerate when saying the the Cathedral and Basilica together are the two most impressive churches I have ever seen in a small city.
The amount of details on the facade, the architecture, the interior, etc...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Akira on October 13, 2016, 22:29:31
Jakov, whenever you have chance to come to Japan, drop me a line.  I would be glad to remind you of the name of Kanazawa.  :D

The "Duomo" and the bell tower designed by Sandro Botticelli was impressive to me, too.  I also liked the beautiful Santa Croce.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: elsid on October 13, 2016, 22:37:39
Impressive photos Jakov. The old city is a museum itself. I was also impressed when I visited Florence in 1999.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: golunvolo on October 13, 2016, 22:51:57
Jakov! I was going to propose more shots from planes but I´m glad I waited.
  That tricolore shot is a very good find and association, nice catch and presentation!
   The fisheye shots show how much work you have put through time into it. Spot on. Great use of the perspective and control of what and what not is in the frame -probably more of what is :) - That foot shows sensible approach to your subject, alive or not and the Basilica shot shows why you felt it huge, I can feel it from there too. Full of detail to spend time into.

  ...but the fiume...a feast, a shock, a puzzle. Excellent.

  Thanks for the trip!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 13, 2016, 23:24:01
I usually don't do postcards. But the view did get my attention:)

Ponte Vecchio

Elias, thank you for your kind words. You must visit Florence again ;)

Paco, you words are as dear to me as are your photos!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 14, 2016, 00:05:16
The other side of Ponte Vecchio.
I am getting emotionally attached to the 20/1.8  :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 14, 2016, 00:24:08
After a long day - some spaghetti and a glass of wine :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: golunvolo on October 14, 2016, 00:35:04
Not a bad end for a long day...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Frank Fremerey on October 14, 2016, 08:26:45
A pleasure and honour to be on this site & to know you!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: John Geerts on October 14, 2016, 08:52:16
Great and impressive stuff, Jakov !!  Beautiful fish-eye-work, and that lovely Fiume.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: PeterN on October 14, 2016, 14:32:58
Jakov,
Watching your photos makes me happy. Interesting subjects, awesome interpretations, top composition, and wonderful technique.
Impressive.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Olivier on October 14, 2016, 14:36:05
this awakens great memories... I like the use you make of the fisheye.
Have a good trip!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 14, 2016, 17:25:16
Frank it's an honor to know you too!

Thanks John, you know how I like to fish :)

PeterN, you are too kind! Thank you so much. Comments like this make me happy :)

Thanks Olivier! I am glad I awoke memories (hopefully nice ones) :)

Today I went to visit the European University Institute and the Historical Archives of the European Union.
It sound interesting just by writing this, but when you consider the location of the two on the hills just north of Florence with a great view over the city, hmm :)
The Historical Archives of the EU are situated in Villa Salviati and contain 6,000 linear meters of files. Alamanno Salviati took over the estate in 1445 (practically yesterday) but is now owned by the Italian state.

A quote from the Universal Declaration on Archives, 2010:
"Archives play an essential role in the development of societies by safeguarding and contributing to individual and community memory. Open access to archives enriches our knowledge of human society, promotes democracy, protects citizens' rights and enhances the quality of life."

Here is the first of many images I took today. 10.5 merge.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 14, 2016, 17:39:00
Villa Salviati

A lot of statues of naked men on the estate. In fact I don't recall seeing many women at all...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Anirban Halder on October 14, 2016, 17:43:28
Enjoying this thread thoroughly. Beautiful photos!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 14, 2016, 17:55:21
Thank you Anirban :)

Once passed the naked bodyguard  :D
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: HCS on October 14, 2016, 20:17:32
Eeehhhmmm ... Jakov ... i think i can see what's in the pictures sharply

Seriously though, what a great series of images of a beautiful city. Look at the tourists on Ponte Vecchio  :D
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 15, 2016, 00:27:04
See Hans, I can make clear photos on occasion :)
Speaking of tourists, here is an image taken on Piazza Annunziata where the Galleria dell' Academia is that contains Michelangelo's David. The cue was so long that I decided to enjoy Florence "from the outside" ;)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 15, 2016, 00:34:59
Villa Salviati.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 15, 2016, 16:12:24
European University Institute: Badia Fiesolana

I can only imagine how many villas, abbeys, and other high valued properties are spread across Toscana...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: armando_m on October 15, 2016, 16:32:01
Wonderful enjoyable series !

Florence and Rome and Venice  are in my list of places to visit, but I do fear the crowds of tourists ...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: HCS on October 15, 2016, 18:35:09
Again, nice photos overall, nice place too. I know you can make sharp photos, you hardly ever show them though.

I find the 4th of #32 quite exquisite.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 16:57:54
Wonderful enjoyable series !

Florence and Rome and Venice  are in my list of places to visit, but I do fear the crowds of tourists ...

Armando I am not surprised that there are many tourists, the entire city is a museum. Wherever you turn around your jaw drops :) Thanks!

Thanks,  Hans! It must be the details that exist that I find not nice to blur :)

Here is Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. I am not the religious type. But it touched me and I lit a candle for my loved ones.

Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 17:32:17
Lungarno Torrigiani, self-portrait.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 19:00:51
Giardino Boboli.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 19:09:25
Piazza de' Pitti.
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 19:16:11
Ponte Vecchio.
Difficult to get used to the sight...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 16, 2016, 19:21:45
I walked a lot today!
Torta al bacio was what I deserved :)
Probably the best cake I have ever tasted in my life...
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: chris dees on October 17, 2016, 03:50:38
Beautiful series from a beautiful city Jakov!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 17, 2016, 10:40:51
Thank you Chris :)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Erik Lund on October 17, 2016, 12:09:22
Consistent high quality images my friend! Lovely ;)
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 17, 2016, 12:31:06
Consistent high quality images my friend! Lovely ;)

Hey, I've got Jesus on the floor snoring :D

Thanks!!!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: golunvolo on October 17, 2016, 13:53:04
Consistent high quality, variety and mouth watering food, what not to like?

  Thanks Jakov!
Title: Re: AMS -> FLR (Florence)
Post by: Akira on October 17, 2016, 14:04:14
The quadrangle in the bottle-shaped frame of the post #32 is superb!