This was about the only view I could get that eliminated football field sized acreages of advertising and scaffolding due to renovation work at the moment. Even then Jaws and Swatch manage to get a bit part.
There are several iconic views which immediately identify Venice. The Rialto Bridge, the Campanile, Basilica and Doges Palace, S. Maria della Salute from the Piazzeta or Accademia Bridge. I like this one, Palladio's masterpiece floating on the lagoon. However I've come to realise that it's not a Venice icon alone. There are many similar views of island basilica. I particularly remember a lot of scenes like this from holidays on the Dalmatian coast - not far from here actually.
I'm traveling again over the next few days. Started off with an overnight train journey to Den Haag. I was busy with business so only had time for a couple of shots on my way to catch a train onwards to Brussels. Like many cities these days the architecture seems to try and outdo the others with a combination of technical wizziness and grotesque references to traditional motifs
This church and clock has featured in various photos on the blog. There seems to be some dispute, but it is listed in Wikipedia as the largest church clock face in the world at 8.7m diameter (so it must be true!). By comparison Big Ben is 7m, but of course isn't even a church....
I've shown this sculpture in Werdstrasse before, but without the building in front of which it stands.
Last few days have been busy, so poor old blog has suffered. Back to normal now I hope
Thanks to Peter for pointing out the benefits of raising your eyes when you enter this Parisien department store. It looks quite nice in black and white as well, believe it or not....
Deserves some detail shots I think
And here is the cupola in all it's glory. Not possible to get directly underneath because of a football field of perfume counters, so the wide angle (16mm here) distorts things a bit
Early morning - one my favourite views in Paris. Grandeur, space and beauty.
Leica M3 50mm Summicron Tri-x
Leica M4-2 35mm Summicron FP4
Leica M8 28mm Elmarit
Leica M8 24mm Elmarit
Some lamps on the Limmat bridge - Grossmünster in background
Leica M4-2 35mm Summicron FP4
A photo of the bridges over the Rhine at Düsseldorf from my trip a few weeks ago
Leica M8 28mm Elmarit
Did a photoshoot in Zurich for a friend. Thought I'd include this one as Swiss companies are in the news these days. Not my usual style. This is outside the Swiss Stock Exchange
I've shown Le Corbusier's last building before. I was out taking some shots with my old Bronica ETRs system in preparation for selling it. I did a few of the house, and of course it really has to be in colour
Bronica ETRs 50mm Zenzanon Fuji Provia
I stopped off in Köln en route back to Zürich from Düsseldorf. I didn't have time to see much, and anyway you are much better visiting April at Cologne Daily Photo. The station is a nice old fashioned affair though, the ironwork goes nicely with the giant arches of the Hohenzollern Brücke that leads into it across the Rhine
Some shiny buildings as promised. I'm in Düsseldorf to to attend the opening of the Model Lie Exhibition, but I also wanted to have a look at the Frank Gehry buildings down at the harbour. No prizes for originality in this shot, but it might interest people who haven't seen these quirky office blocks before
What I didn't realise is that the entire old harbour area of Düsseldorf has been turned into a gigantic sort of Disneyland of architectural showpieces. Worth a visit if you're interested in that sort of thing
Last look at Lugano for now - off to Düsseldorf so tomorrow expect to see some shiny buildings
I know, I should get rid of that cable...
Leica M8 28mm Elmarit
Ok - there is a tenous link with Zurich. I'm in Zurich, and in 1984 I took this photo in Aberdeen, in the windy north east of Scotland. I still have the flat there where this was taken, from the kitchen window. I wonder what the skyline is like now. I haven't visited for a while, and discovered this while sorting through some old photos. Nowadays I suppose I might be tempted to clone out the tower block with Photoshop. Just after this I had 10 years away from photography. However it doesn't look like my subject matter has changed much
This would have been taken with an Olympus OM1 and it looks like the Zuiko 300mm f4.5
Followers of this blog will recognise this as one of my regular sniping outposts at Zurich Airport. I've posted a few from here, but I think although the subjects are all essentially the same, they have their own qualities.
Palladio's masterpiece, floating serenely on the lagoon, is my personal icon of Venice. It is nicely situated for various photos, including the sunrise at this time of the year, although I have to admit this was about 10am
It was goodbye to Paris on Monday, so here is a parting shot of the city whose magic I'd forgotten. No other great city that I have visited has the combination of grandeur, serenity, excitement, panache and cultural engagement. No excuses for the tourist view
Leica M8 35mm Summicron
Back in Paris for a day - this is the Petit Palais. So called I suppose in comparison to the Humungous Palais across the road, but it's pretty large in it's own right
Leica M8 35mm Summicron
