Photographing Europe

McNeilRW

7

7 Jan 2005 - 7:13 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Hi All, I am from Brisbane Australia and am planning a trip OS in September, I am going to London/Scotland/Ireland/Rome/Vienna/Croatia.

Can anyone give me their tips for Photographing Croatia. Because I am from the other side of the world I don't get overseas that often and would welcome your help. If anyone has any favourite places that would be helpfull.

I am taking my Nikon F65 with Tamron lenses.

Thank you.

mcgoo

7

8 Jan 2005 - 10:13 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Ross

I envy you your trip around Europe, you have a few wonderful places mentioned in your itinerary.

May I suggest that if you find time you consider adding Krakow, Poland and Prague, Czech Republic to your already long list.

This may not be as impossible as it seems. It is surprising how relatively close the major central European cities are. Taking Krakow as a centre point and drawing a circle of 400km, includes the cities of Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava (Slovakia), Vienna, Lviv (Ukraine). Extend it to 600km and you include Berlin, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Belgrade (Serbia Montenegro), Zagreb (Croatia), Vilnius, Gdansk, Kaliningrad (Russia), Salzburg (Austria). In fact there are 16 countries within 600km of Krakow. You get the idea

Krakow could be considered as the Heart of Europe, it is exactly on the intersection of 20 degrees East and 50 degrees north. According to some cartographers it is the geographical centre of Europe.

I have to confess, although I live in Scotland, I have a house in Krakow, I visit about 3 times a year and it holds a special place in my heart, but it certainly deserves a visit on its own merits. It is a beautiful cultural historic city with a great atmosphere and friendly people. The food and drink is cheap and first class. If you follow recent history, Auschwitz is a short drive from Krakow and is extremely intense and moving. Of course Schindlers List was filmed almost entirely on location in Krakow, where his factory still stands.

For general tourist advice from real travellers not paid tourist office reports, you should check out www.virtualtourist.com for great advice on Krakow and all of the other cities you have mentioned.

Croatia is a lovely country. German is widely spoken, and the Croation Islands are a must see. If you have time you should check out Primosten, Split, Trogir and of course Dubrovnik, the jewel in the crown.. Actually if you travel south by road you will travel through a very small area of Bosnia (part of the agreement to allow sea access), also a little South of Dubrovnik is the border with MonteNegro,, I felt that Montenegro was a few years behind the rest of the area.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful old city. Best photographed by taking a walk around the old city walls, (better done at different times of day depending on light)

Dont worry at all about the former conflicts in the area, Croatia is almost as it was prior to the war, mostly rebuilt, with only a few signs of the war, Bosnia however is the opposite, it is as if the war ended yesterday. Mile upon mile of Burned and bombed houses and villages, many many roadside graves and memorials, it was all rather sad.

I once visited Singapore (In Sept) on a round the world trip and remember it as being extremely humid.

As for Scotland, consider Stirling,(my home area) it is on the way North from the Central belt and has a lot to offer. The site of much of Scotlands history

Sorry to prattle on but my passion is travel and I have been lucky to be able to use Krakow as a base for exploring Central and Eastern Europe, 2 years ago we toured the Balkans and last year it was the Baltics. It is a fantastic feeling driving through the less visited parts of Europe, discovering and exploring.

Feel free to email me if you would like any more specific information, (my email is on my profile page)

David

mlorne

8

10 Jan 2005 - 10:49 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Croatia is a wonderful place to visit and photograph. Having served there with the Canadian UN contingent in the 1990's, I can say that it is a wonderful country with truly wonderful people. If you are heading all the way to the coast, then may I suggest that you do not miss Dubrovnik. It is a mere 3 hours south of Split by bus (a very cheap bus I may add) and it is worth every minute. A couple of suggestions for in and around Dubrovnik:

- The old city is surrounded by large walls which can yeild some stunning overhead shots.
- There is alot of marble. The streets are paved with marble in the old city (keeps incredibly cool in the summer when it is incredibly hot). Look for alot of abstract shots and marble patterns.
- The public beach is somewhat disapointing, so consider heading out to one of the hotel beaches.
- Above the city is a large hill, sweeping up quite some distance. A couple hours of hiking will put you in position for some VERY stunning sunrise/sunset shots. Be careful, however, to stay on the marked trails because land mines are still unfortunately a reality of life in Croatia.
- There is a small island in the bay called Lokrum which is accessible by a water shuttle (near the public beach). Supposedly, King Richard the Lionheart was shipwrecked on this island during his return from the Crusades in the 12th Century. Regardless of the truth or falsity, Lokrum is a wonderful island with a quitet Benedictine monastery on it. Lots of possiblities for photos here.

Further up the coast you will find Hvar, one island of a series of islands accessible by ferry from Split. The city of Hvar is a hotspot for wealthier European tourists and has a much different feel to it than the rest of the country. It is more like the Monte Carlo of the Adriatic but on a much smaller scale. As for the rest of the island, it is a rugged, sparsely populated landscape with thousands of small coves and beaches.

Regardless of where you are going in Croatia, I think you will have a wondeful time. I look forward to seeing your photos on your return.

Sincerely,
Michael

collywobles

8

19 Jan 2005 - 4:09 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

I'm off to do a wedding shoot in June in Slovenia (Lubianca - please excuse spelling) has anyone any info for my trip that would help. TX

collywobles

8

19 Jan 2005 - 5:58 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Great Idea, TX

collywobles

8

19 Jan 2005 - 10:07 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Am I into wine! Is the Pope a Catholic! Thanks for info we are looking forward to our visit. Thanks Covey, if you live there, why not meet.

covey

7

19 Jan 2005 - 12:18 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

No Collywobbles, don't live there, in boring Dublin instead. Was on Holiday a few years ago, just driving around. Bled as stated is very photographic, but a bit from Ljubljana. In the mountains towards Italy there are a multitude of waterfalls. Slovenia has some fine wines if you seek them out.

T.

brettw

7

20 Jan 2005 - 5:13 AM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Thoroughly recommend Rome. No matter how long you stay there is always more to discover.

Beware of pickpockets, particularly on the Metro.

The Hard Rock is a good place to meet up with expats of all nationalities.

No matter where you go a good travel guide is invaluable for identifying photogenic sites. I particularly favour Rough Guides followed by Lonely planet.