The altar of the cathedral in Lima, Peru (officially, Basílica Catedral Metropolitana de Lima y Primada del Perú).
This (third) Cathedral of Lima was built between 1602 and 1797 — the altar was made in 1799 by Matías Maestro. This image is an HDR stack of 3 photos made with an OM System OM-1 camera and M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4.0 lens.
Category Archives: Architecture
Országház
The Hungarian parliament building — seen on a river cruise through Budapest, Hungary:
This striking building was built between 1885 and 1904, and as you can see, bears a strong resemblance to the Palace of Westminster (seat of the U.K. parliament) in London. This was no accident, as Hungarian reformers of the time looked to Britain as their political role model. Accordingly, the Hungarians also wanted to make their parliament building *just a little bigger* than the British model — but ironically, slight construction errors added up, and the end result was slightly smaller than Westminster.
In any event, it’s still a beautiful sight at night, reflected in the waves of the Danube river.
EXIF:
OM System OM-1 camera, M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II lens
ISO 2000, 12mm, f/3.5, 1/30 sec, 2-photo panorama
Fun with infrared light and modern architecture
Over the past few years, I’ve dabbled here and there with infrared (IR) photography, but didn’t take it very seriously until I recently took an online course in the subject from Derrick Story (a.k.a. The Nimble Photographer). If you’re at all interested in IR photography, I can highly recommend the seminar — you’ll learn a lot from the instruction, and quite a bit as well from your fellow students.
In particular, one of my fellow students recommended taking IR photos in office parks with mature vegetation. You can, he said, get some nice results with the architecture, windows, and greenery.
So as my first example of this subject matter, here’s the Pacific Western Bank building in the Denver Tech Center (Denver, Colorado):
The above is a quick reference photo I took with my iPhone — it’s poorly framed but still a good comparison for the images below.
Foxy Friars
Floor tiles showing foxes dressed as pilgrims (with hats, walking sticks, and back packs) in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland.
This tile design is unique to Christ Church, but the tiles are not original to either the first church on the site (built around 1030), or to its 12th and 13th century rebuilds. Due to insufficient foundations, the cathedral roof collapsed in 1562 — shattering most of the medieval tiles, so what you see today are copies of the originals, installed in the 1870s.
EXIF:
OM System OM-1 camera, 12-40mm f/2.8 II lens
ISO 10000, 38mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec
Just another day on the Grand Canal
Looking southwest from the rooftop terrace of the Galleria T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, Venice.
I took this shot just as “high season” was starting up, so this is a fairly low-traffic view of the canal.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens
32mm, f/9.0, ISO 200, 1/320 sec
Things are looking up in Hosios Loukas
The ceiling of the Hosios Loukas (Saint Loukas) monastery, Greece.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hosios Loukas is an architectural gem, dating to the 10th century.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 Pro lens
8mm, f/9.0, 1/50 sec, ISO 6400
Long view to the Acropolis
The Acropolis in Athens, as seen from the top of Lycabettus Hill:
I don’t seem to see this perspective of the Acropolis very often online, but it turns out that it’s pretty simple to achieve. Lycabettus Hill is in the middle of an urban park in Athens, and while you’ve got some walking to do at first, a funicular can get you the last steep stretch to the top. Or, you can walk the whole way, if you have the time and fortitude to walk the trail up the hill.
Get up to the top with a reasonably long lens, and you’re ready to go. This is an afternoon shot (with light overcast); the lighting should be more-dramatic on a clear day near sunrise.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 lens
f/8.0, 106mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 200
Temple of Apollo
One of the marquis attractions at the ancient ruins of Delphi in Greece:
According to tradition, this is actually the 5th temple built to honor Apollo at Delphi, being erected in 510 BC. Even then, it had to be reconstructed in 330 BC after an earthquake, and then partially restored after its destruction by Roman emperor Theodosius I in AD 390. The famous oracle at Delphi was centered on a subterranean chamber below this temple.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4
f/11, 13mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 200
Ready for an audience
The Tholos of Delphi, an ancient structure in the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia in Delphi, Greece.
Originally domed, the Tholos (circular temple) of Delphi would have been seen by a visitor before they reached the Temple of Apollo (thus the sanctuary’s appellation Pronaia, “before” the temple). It originally had twenty Doric columns on its exterior diameter (three have been reconstructed for modern visitors), and ten Corinthian columns on its interior diameter.
The Tholos was built between 380 and 360 BC, and badly damaged in antiquity — first by earthquakes, and later by people salvaging its stonework for building material. Its original purpose is currently unknown.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 Pro lens
ISO 200, 25mm, f/7.1, 1/200 sec
Feeling a bit segmented
Visitors reflected in ceiling tiles; Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik, Iceland.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1 Mark III camera, M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 lens
f/6.3, 22mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 2000