07.23.09
Posted in People, Transportation, Travel at 5:30 pm by Warren Williams
The very last leg of our tour was catching the ferry from Calais to Dover, and connecting to a coach to take us along the A2 into London. Ironically, we passed my home in South East London/Kent, but had to continue into the city traffic before catching a train home a couple of hours later.
The ferry was smooth sailing, although a fairly strong wind on top deck, stopped many from enjoying the views of the English Channel.
View of Calais from the Ferry – not much on offer
Clear days, good great views
Warren & Peter, approaching the White Cliffs of Dover
Matt & Erin, two of the many new friends made on the Top Deck tour. Thanks everyone!
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07.20.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People, Travel at 9:23 pm by Warren Williams
During our two night stay in Berlin, we visited many of the historic venues, starting at the Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Hitler’s Bunker and the Holocaust Memorial.
Berlin Wall
Vespa randomly parked next to Berlin Wall
Rachelle – One of the many Ozzies in our group
Holocaust Memorial – load more Ozzies!
1001bhp Bugatti Veyron in one of the many supercar showrooms
Berliner Dom – Berlin Cathedral
Water Fountain
Peter feasting into a Bratwurst
Reichstag
With the recent Bratwurst energy, Peter went for a run
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07.19.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People at 11:35 am by Warren Williams
The city of Dresden has a long history, and is well known for the controversial Allied Forces bombing near the end of World War II. The face of the city drastically changed over the next 40 years during the East German socialist era. Fortunately, since the reunification in 1990, Dresden has re-emerged as a political, cultural and economic centre of Germany.
Beautiful architecture around the city
Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
Survived the firebombing during WWII, however burnt out and collapsed the following day. After 13 years of rebuilding, it was completed in 2005, with joint efforts from Germany and UK.
Historic Underground Basement and Frauenkirche, Dresden
Statue in front of Frauenkirche
Peter gets married!
Frozen
Walking the many cobbled streets
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07.18.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People, Travel, Wedding at 7:56 pm by Warren Williams
Prague is a wonderful, beautiful city. Despite raining for practically every moment of our 36 hours in the city, a few of us keen sightseers braved the weather to explore the historical sites. Prague was also included to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1992, with its great mix of Gothic and Renaissance styled architecture.
Old Town Square at Night. There was plenty of lightning going also amongst the rain, but didn’t have the patience to capture it
Beautiful buildings make up all corners of Prague
Prague Castle and Vltava River at Night
The following morning, in Old Market Square, the rain continued to pound the cobbled stones – when I noticed a young newlywed couple having a few photos taken. They’re mood was very upbeat, and was great to see another photographer out there in the elements capturing those moments.
Cobbled Street in Prague, on way to the Castle
St Vitus Cathedral, in the Castle grounds – Camera was soaked, hence the smudges
Changing of the Guard
Valérie
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07.17.09
Posted in History, People, Travel at 10:30 am by Warren Williams
Photos alone can stir the emotions from this sombre day around the Auschwitz concentration camps. The name Auschwitz was the German name given to the hosting town of Oswiecim. Over one million Jews were killed in the gas chambers, with the pesticide Zyklon B. The camps are kept open as a reminder to the world what atrocities were committed, and hopefully never repeated.
Peace
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07.16.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Travel at 9:30 pm by Warren Williams
The city of Kraków was given World Heritage Site status in 1978 by UNESCO, the same year Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Kraków, was elevated the papacy as Pope John Paul II . Kraków is also famous for it’s overruling in WWII by the Nazi empire, making Kraków the Capital city of the General Government. The large Jewish population were moved into the Kraków Ghetto, where they were sent to local concentration camps, such as Auschwitz. A German businessman by the name of Oskar Schindler, used his enamelware plant as a way to save many of the local Jews. His story was portrayed in the excellent move, Schindler’s List.
Where Pope John Paul II was based
Climbing the tower in St Mary’s Church, Main Market Square
View from St Mary’s Church tower, overlooking Main Market Square
Snake Handler in Main Market Square
Snake Handler
Female snake handler in Main Market Square
Jewish plaque in cemetery
Weathered building in alley
Singer sewing machine, on an outdoors table at a cafe
The stair scene from Schindler’s List, just past the arch on right
Disused railway near Schindler’s Factory
Worn building in the Krakow Ghetto
Walking across the Holocaust Memorial
Holocaust Memorial – 70 empty iron chairs, representing absence
Lifting the mood, street performer in Main Market Square with puppets of the recently passed Michael Jackson, and Elvis – both kings of music.
Statue at Wowel Cathedral
Street artist at the Castle
View from the Castle over the Vistula River
The evening was spent back in a lovely restaurant just off Main Market Square, featuring an enclosed courtyard out the back with cheap, large meals. Perfect way to finish off a day.
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07.12.09
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 10:11 pm by Warren Williams
With a full day to kill around Vienna, arranged to meet up with my friend René who was kind enough to show myself and Peter around the various sights and history of the magnificent city.
Donauturm Park
René borrowing my Canon 17-40L lens + Lee filter setup
(And his new 5D II)
Overlooking Vienna from up the Donauturm tower
Our trip into the city also coincided with the Tour of Austria, final leg.
In the afternoon, we visited the Schnapps museum for some exciting alcoholic beverage tasting, including gold leafed Schapps, and some stronger Absinthe.
Ann about to take a milky Schnapps shot
Grant showing the after taste effects from the hot chili Schnapps!
Following the milky drinks, René and his partner Anja took me along to the Danube River for sunset. The Danube is famous for being the only river to pass through four major cities, and also the second longest in Europe, spanning ten countries!
Long grass alongside the river… and as I figured out, a haven for mosquitos.
Anja, also wasn’t safe from those nasty mosquitos
Twilight over the Danube, with the Donauturm tower
Candid with the 85L in very low light – ISO 3200, F1.8
A massive thanks to René and Anja for the tour of the city, and following drinks alongside this grand river.
http://www.renehajek.at
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07.10.09
Posted in Architecture, History, Landscape, People, Travel at 9:21 pm by Warren Williams
Exploring the wondrous city of Venice, can only be achieved by water and on foot. Venice is unique in many ways, with endless beautiful detailed buildings perched alongside the water. Capturing the sights from the gondola boat ride, through the twisting passages and underneath low bridges was definitely a highlight and impossible to ignore. Later in the afternoon, took in the spectacular views from atop St Mark’s Campanile, witnessing the sprawl of intricate architecture over hidden islands.
Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge
Narrow passageways
Wedding photos in St Mark’s Square
View to San Giorgio Maggiore
Venice Gondalier
Pigeon in St Mark’s Square
Too many pigeons for my liking
Gondola Riding – Niki, Pete, Grant, Richie and Warren
Passing old buildings in the narrow canals
Arriving into the Grand Canal
Cindy, having a good laugh
Riding under one of the 400 bridges
0.6 seconds on a Gondola
San Giorgio Maggiore
St Mark’s Square – Notice the water patches from high tide
Endless views over Venice
More views from the Campanile.
Yet another pigeons flies by St Mark’s Campanile
Terrific thunderstorm approaches Venice
Speed boat, passing St Mark’s Campanile
Heavy thunderstorm clouds over Venice
Painting Santa Maria della Salute from Accademia Bridge
Slow shutter speed over Venice
Low sunlight over Venice after the thunderstorm clears
Rich coloured buildings are always a spectacle
Ending back at Constitution Bridge after 24 hours
Ready for an early morning departure, over Northern Italy, and into Vienna, Austria.
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07.09.09
Posted in History, People, Travel at 12:00 pm by Warren Williams
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
Passing through the historic city of Verona, Northern Italy, our tour dropped by the scene of Juliet’s Balcony.
Romeo & Juliet Balcony
Many Gelato Ice Cream vendors – much needed in 30°C heat!
Funny moment as Richie from Perth has an unexpected visitor
A scene from the movies
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07.08.09
Posted in Architecture, History, People, Travel at 4:30 pm by Warren Williams
Quickly acclimatising to the Italian heat, Peter and I ventured West of the city of Rome to our start of our action packed 16 day tour. Our first two nights were to be spent at the modern and clean facilities of Camping Roma. Being wary of directions from their website, we found the correct metro and bus connections to arrive just after lunch time. First stop, pizza!
Meeting our exciting tour leader Michelle, and coach driver Billy for the first time we ventured back to central Rome.
Well known shopping street of Rome, with top brands including Armani, D&G and Prada.
The crowded Spanish Steps
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain amongst more massive crowds
Temple of Hadrian
Pantheon – incredibly built in 126AD
The open ceiling causing light to filter down from the 142 foot tall roof
Piazza Navona
Street artist in Piazza Navona.
Fontana del Moro – 1576
Cobbled street in Rome
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07.04.09
Posted in General, People at 9:09 pm by Warren Williams
Another evening meetup with the local London POTN crew, had a fun evening shooting and experimenting with various lighting setups.
Mitesh
Yoland
Laura and Yoland
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06.24.09
Posted in Landscape, People at 10:38 pm by Warren Williams
My long time kiwi friend Jason came visiting London for a few days, before starting his new position in Geneva at CERN.
Decided to show him some of the more impressive views of London, including the modern Canary Wharf, Greenwich Meridian line and a walk along the Thames before sunset alongside Westminster.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Houses of Parliament at Twilight
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06.14.09
Posted in Architecture, Landscape, People at 4:59 am by Warren Williams
Some of the London and South-East UK photography-on-the.net (POTN) members converged on central London for an all night shoot, featuring off camera flash (strobist), followed by sunrise soon after 4:30am around the Millennium Bridge. Some were pumped on Red Bull, eager to get every shot, whereas a few of us, it was a desperate game to keep awake. This shoot immediately followed the road trip to Warwick Castle, so a new form of zombie like shooting was formed.
Neal managing his best awake impression
Millennium Bridge and St Pauls at 2am
Gosia dreaming of the next shot
Couple hours later over Millennium Bridge just after 4am
Against the fast incoming tide
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05.16.09
Posted in Architecture, Landscape, People at 10:06 pm by Warren Williams
Hosted the photography meetup group meetup again, starting at the tasty Borough Food Market near London Bridge. From there, we ventured off to Tate Modern, and the pub on the Thames. Following this, we headed off to Camden Market, and finally watched the sunset from Tower Bridge. Another highlight of the walk, was meeting Pink Floyd album cover artist/photographers, Storm Thorgerson & Rupert Truman who produce some amazing work.
[ cheese ]
Got beer?
Walking along the Thames walkway
Photographer shootout
London Underground
Camden Market
Andrew
Neal
First time catching the bridge lift in operation as a ferry goes beneath
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05.07.09
Posted in People, Travel, Wedding at 9:30 pm by Warren Williams
Rob & Kat were married at the lovely Crondon Park – Golf & Country Club in Essex. My friend Rich (Swaffs.co.uk) was the main photographer, and chose me as his assistant. We both ended up shooting a large variety of shots, with Rich focusing on the formals, whilst I grabbed some candids from various angles. Rob & Kat were a load of fun, with their passion for motorcycles evident!
Kat having her final touches of makeup done
Candid just after leaving the ceremony
Chocolate Fountain – Fantastic idea, and a great hit with the guests
Rob, surprising Kat with the first dance
And back to beautiful formality
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