Portal from the Charles Bridge in Prague. The Vltava River flows underneath while rivers of tourists flow over it.
Here’s a mostly-random, not-at-all-comprehensive collection of pictures taken while wandering around the old city of Prague in the Czech Republic this week with Claudia, her sister, and her sister’s boyfriend. Good times!
St. Vitus Cathedral, in the Prague Castle, was founded in 1344 and finally completed in 1929, nearly 600 years later.We didn’t actually visit this museum, but did manage to see two Alphonse Mucha exhibitions – one of my favorite printmakers and artists of all.Not actually free, but there’s no shortage of great cheap beer to be had in Prague!Although I’m always impressed by the architecture and history of European cities, my favorite spots always tend to be the parks. Prague has a big park above the town, a quiet place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle for a while.Trdelnik sweet bread, wrapped around a spit and roasted over coals. Delicious… and mesmerizing!Birds fly over a tower at the Charles Bridge in Prague.Sunset in Prague
I hope this still catches you in Prague, my old hometown; Web cafes are on every corner. I found you tnx to the Web/Google while looking up shots from the Wind Rivers. I am an American now, live in UT & am a die-hard ski-bum, backpacker & desert-rat. BTW, CO is my ‘home-state ‘ & I dig the San Juans. If you’re still in Prague, watch out for the pickpockets on streetcar #22, Gypsies (Roma) & many other rip-off artists. The same goes for any big EU city, just like here, in the US. Otherwise, have fun in the Alps (I’ve lived 12 years in “CH”) & don’t skip (but ‘Czech’ out) the Swiss part of them. If you’d like, I send you some tips, lemme know. The shot of the Soviet ‘babushka’ doll w/ the canines is priceless; I escaped the Soviet tanks to Luzern, CH. My creed is: “Rather free in want than rich in servitude.”
Is the St. Vitus ceiling a composite shot? Otherwise, shooting the huge stained glass windows in EU Gothic cathedrals ain’t easy.
Also, meine Jungen, habt Spass auf den Schnellzuegen in der alten Welt und vor allem auf den Graten und Gletschern in den Alpen. Und, die Bernardiener tragen keinen Rum mit. Claudia will translate for you. đ
Hi Robert, thanks for your message! We had a great time in Prague. I posted this after returning to Germany so unfortunately didn’t get your tips in time, but fortunately had no issues with pickpockets or other scammers.
The cathedral pano shot was from about 8 – 10 horizontal shots (35mm length) stitched together in Autopano Pro. I shot them handheld at a high ISO for a fast enough shutter speed to prevent blur. Alignment during framing was actually pretty easy since the church architecture has clear center “marks” the whole way! I probably looked pretty silly like I was doing the limbo when shooting upside down over my head behind me!
As for Switzerland, I actually spent 4 months there during the winter a few years ago – mainly based in Engelberg. You can see more from that time here: https://www.mountainphotographer.com/tag/switzerland/ Not sure if we’ll make it there this summer, but we’ll see. There’s so much to see in the Alps!!!
Good to hear from you. Your shots from Engelberg brought back memories from long ago. For 23 years, though, I’ve been hooked on the deep & steep fluff in Alta/Bird. Easier to get to that, say, A-Basin, Highlands, etc. in CO. I’m heading there tmr to escape the 100 dgr heat & enjoy the gorgeous wild flowers in the Albion Basin.
BTW, you wouldn’t have a pano shot of the Sistine Ceiling, would you?
Have fun in them thar Alps & say hi to the Ibexes & chamois there.
I was surprised how enjoyable it is just to wander around the European cities, and it is free to look at the buildings, then stop at a cafe for food and beverage of choice and just watch the world go by.
Brilliant sign FREE wifi, great BEER
Hey Ryan, my mom actually just sent me this link to a slideshow of funny bar signs. Some good ones in there!
Hi Jack & Claudia & the other two;
I hope this still catches you in Prague, my old hometown; Web cafes are on every corner. I found you tnx to the Web/Google while looking up shots from the Wind Rivers. I am an American now, live in UT & am a die-hard ski-bum, backpacker & desert-rat. BTW, CO is my ‘home-state ‘ & I dig the San Juans. If you’re still in Prague, watch out for the pickpockets on streetcar #22, Gypsies (Roma) & many other rip-off artists. The same goes for any big EU city, just like here, in the US. Otherwise, have fun in the Alps (I’ve lived 12 years in “CH”) & don’t skip (but ‘Czech’ out) the Swiss part of them. If you’d like, I send you some tips, lemme know. The shot of the Soviet ‘babushka’ doll w/ the canines is priceless; I escaped the Soviet tanks to Luzern, CH. My creed is: “Rather free in want than rich in servitude.”
Is the St. Vitus ceiling a composite shot? Otherwise, shooting the huge stained glass windows in EU Gothic cathedrals ain’t easy.
Also, meine Jungen, habt Spass auf den Schnellzuegen in der alten Welt und vor allem auf den Graten und Gletschern in den Alpen. Und, die Bernardiener tragen keinen Rum mit. Claudia will translate for you. đ
Bon voyage,
Robert of Prague
Hi Robert, thanks for your message! We had a great time in Prague. I posted this after returning to Germany so unfortunately didn’t get your tips in time, but fortunately had no issues with pickpockets or other scammers.
The cathedral pano shot was from about 8 – 10 horizontal shots (35mm length) stitched together in Autopano Pro. I shot them handheld at a high ISO for a fast enough shutter speed to prevent blur. Alignment during framing was actually pretty easy since the church architecture has clear center “marks” the whole way! I probably looked pretty silly like I was doing the limbo when shooting upside down over my head behind me!
As for Switzerland, I actually spent 4 months there during the winter a few years ago – mainly based in Engelberg. You can see more from that time here: https://www.mountainphotographer.com/tag/switzerland/ Not sure if we’ll make it there this summer, but we’ll see. There’s so much to see in the Alps!!!
Take care,
Jack
Hey Jack & party;
Good to hear from you. Your shots from Engelberg brought back memories from long ago. For 23 years, though, I’ve been hooked on the deep & steep fluff in Alta/Bird. Easier to get to that, say, A-Basin, Highlands, etc. in CO. I’m heading there tmr to escape the 100 dgr heat & enjoy the gorgeous wild flowers in the Albion Basin.
BTW, you wouldn’t have a pano shot of the Sistine Ceiling, would you?
Have fun in them thar Alps & say hi to the Ibexes & chamois there.
Tschuess,
Robert
I was surprised how enjoyable it is just to wander around the European cities, and it is free to look at the buildings, then stop at a cafe for food and beverage of choice and just watch the world go by.
That’s right, the people watching is pretty entertaining while relaxing with a coffee or beer!