Fred and Ginger

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When I think of Prague (Praha), I think of large castles, architecture, churches and the Holy Roman Empire. One of the things that makes the city so fascinating, is the contrasts. A blend of young stylish people of a young democracy contrasted with a grim faced older population that has spent most of their lives living under communism or dictatorial rule. The architecture reflects that contrast.

Ancient bridges, castles and historic architecture contrast with buildings and sculptures by the likes of modern artist David Černý. These two intertwined office buildings were constructed to display that contrast and are known in the city as “Fred and Ginger” because they evoke the dancing shapes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers.

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Fred and Ginger

Fred and Ginger

People of Prague #3

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Over the years I have developed my technique for photographing people without looking through the viewfinder. In the 1970’s I first became aware of The Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Although it really has nothing to do with the observer effect it does help to mathematically corroborate that principle. Simply stated the act of observing something changes that thing. I knew when I pointed my camera at people their behavior would change.

I thought to not have people react to me I had to photograph them in a stealth mode. First I employed telephoto lenses but since going digital I have began shooing without looking through the viewfinder. Wasting bits and pixels is a lot different than wasting film. I set the camera to a wide angle and select automatic focus and exposure. I get a lot of crap but then I also get shots like this one which make it all worthwhile. Next a mirror-less camera because people do react to the shutter noise if they are close enough.

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People of Prague #3

People of Prague #3

People of Prague #2

Posted by Imagery Photography on

Over the years I have developed my technique for photographing people without looking through the viewfinder. In the 1970’s I first became aware of The Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Although it really has nothing to do with the observer effect it does help to mathematically corroborate that principle. Simply stated the act of observing something changes that thing. I knew when I pointed my camera at people their behavior would change.

I thought to not have people react to me I had to photograph them in a stealth mode. First I employed telephoto lenses but since going digital I have began shooing without looking through the viewfinder. Wasting bits and pixels is a lot different than wasting film. I set the camera to a wide angle and select automatic focus and exposure. I get a lot of crap but then I also get shots like this one which make it all worthwhile. Next a mirror-less camera because people do react to the shutter noise if they are close enough.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

People of Prague #2

People of Prague #2

People of Prague #1

Posted by Imagery Photography on

Over the years I have developed my technique for photographing people without looking through the viewfinder. In the 1970’s I first became aware of The Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Although it really has nothing to do with the observer effect it does help to mathematically corroborate that principle. Simply stated the act of observing something changes that thing. I knew when I pointed my camera at people their behavior would change.

I thought to not have people react to me I had to photograph them in a stealth mode. First I employed telephoto lenses but since going digital I have began shooing without looking through the viewfinder. Wasting bits and pixels is a lot different than wasting film. I set the camera to a wide angle and select automatic focus and exposure. I get a lot of crap but then I also get shots like this one which make it all worthwhile. Next a mirror-less camera because people do react to the shutter noise if they are close enough.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

People of Prague #2

People of Prague #2

Marksburg Castle

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Last month I published a post about Marksburg Castle. This post contains some more detailed information and additional images of this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Along the Rhine River is a stretch known as the Rhine Gorge which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Forty castles line both sides of this section of the river. Marksburg is the only castle that was never destroyed and sits above the town of Braubach. The fortress was used for protection rather than a residence for royal families.

Originally it was stone keep was built at the current location in 1100 by the Eppstein family and expanded into a castle around 1117 to protect the town of Braubach. When French emperor Napoleon seized the Holy Roman Empire in 1803 he gave the Marksburg to his ally the Duke of Nassau for his service. He used the castle as a prison and as a home for disabled soldiers. The castle has one of the first known indoor privies.

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Marksburg Southern View

Marksburg Southern View

Marksburg Dinning Room

Marksburg Dinning Room

Marksburg Privy

Marksburg Privy

Braubach View

Braubach View

München Street View

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The first time we were in München was only for two days and one of those days was spent at Neuschwanstein Castle and the rest of the time it rained. We saw little of the city. This time we were there for five days and took the trams and subways all over the city. It is really a wonderful city. It is filled with history, wonderful museums and sites, great food and the maybe best beer in the world.

We spent some times in neighborhoods outside the tourist center. We visited some coffee shops,food markets and even a laundry mat. I think of it as a workingman’s city but that said it had great public building,parks and musuems and even a palace or two.

A typical street outside of the main tourist center.

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München Street View

München Street View

Karlskirche Wien

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Karlskirche (St Charles)) in Wien (Vienna) in my opinion is one of the beautiful churches in the world. We were fortunate enough to see a string ensemble perform a concert inside this magnificent structure but that will be the topic of a future post.

This beautiful baroque church is located on the south side of Karlsplatz in Vienna, Austria. Widely considered the most outstanding baroque church in Austria. It is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, a great Austrian reformer of the sixteenth century.

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Karlskirche Wien

Karlskirche Wien

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Wien.

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In the center of Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) which is the founding church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. It is a huge Gothic Cathedral in the Stephansplatz and building began by Duke Rudolf IV in 1339. It is a beautiful Cathedral but also one of the most commercial Cathedrals I have ever been in. In order to stand in the center you need a special pass and another pass for photography and another pass to see the crypt, etc. It was difficult to get this photograph.

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Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Wien.

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Wien.

The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

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I am not really a fan of Cuckoo clocks. A German friend of mine told me they were just for tourists and are seldom found in German homes. I passed on the Cuckoo Clock Making Class that was part of our tour and spent my time in the glass works instead. However this clock was just amazing!

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The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock

The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel München

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The Rathaus-Glockenspiel of München (Munich) was part of the reconstruction on München Town hall in 1908. Every day at 11 A.M. it chimes and the clockworks move and display stories from the 16th century to entertain visitors. The upper stories of town hall consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V who was the founder of the world famous Hofbräuhaus.

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The Rathaus-Glockenspiel

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel