An impressive mosaic in the ruins of Herculaneum:
Most people are likely familiar with the ancient city of Pompeii that was buried by a series of eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius (near modern-day Naples, Italy) in 79 AD. Less commonly known is Herculaneum, another nearby city buried by the same eruptions.
The ruins of a tholos (circular memorial) in Archaea Olympia, Greece.
The Philippeion originally had 18 columns supporting its roof, sheltering 8 half-columns holding 5 statues of the Macedonian royal family. Built to honor and on behalf of Philip, it was not completed before his death, and was likely finished by his son (and designated heir) Alexander.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4.0 lens
14mm, f/11, ISO 200, 1/500 sec.
Back in February, I preordered one of the new Olympus OM System OM-1 camera bodies, and after a few weeks of waiting, it arrived at my local camera store. There are plenty of full reviews of the camera available for your perusal online, so I won’t attempt to compete with / duplicate them.
Just the same, I’ve spent a few weeks traveling with the OM-1 (using it daily), and I’ve got some thoughts:
The Temple of Poseidon (foreground) and Temple of Hera (background) in the too-seldom-visited site of Paestum, Italy.
Paestum is in Italy, and was once a Roman city, but it started out as the Greek colony of Poseidonia. The Temple of Poseidon (built around 460-450 BC) is the largest and best-preserved of Paestum’s temples. But in actually, nobody knows for sure which god / goddess it was originally dedicated to; given the city’s original name, it may well have been dedicated to the city’s namesake — but maybe not.
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
Santorini is an awfully popular place, but even it can be quiet during the off-season.
Personally, I really preferred it quiet and nearly empty (late February). No trinket shops were open, the open restaurants were ones the locals liked, and we had no crowds to deal with.
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm Pro lens
f/11, 8mm, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
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
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
A view from Santorini, across the Thera caldera, toward the open Aegean sea.
There’s nothing but water past the little islands in the foreground until you get to Crete (~100 mi / 160 km).
EXIF:
Olympus E-M1III, M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4 Pro lens
ISO 200, 14mm, f/10, 1/400 sec
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