Europe: Robert Arrington Photography

England: Among the Stones I, Stonehenge

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:49:27 GMT

]]>The Stonehenge picture was taken in September 2010 as part of a special tour to see the stones after hours. The tour I booked allowed people to venture into the stone circle and wander among these neolithic marvels, which seemed like a great idea at the time. But when we arrived I quickly realized that EVERYONE wanted to “wander among the stones” and take photo after photo after photo of themselves appearing with the stones, laying on the stones, hugging the stones, kissing the stones to ad nauseum.

The only way I could get any decent shot of Stonehenge was to wait until all of the tourists had returned to the bus. I almost missed my ride back to London to get this shot but it was certainly worth it and today is one of my best sellers.

And can you beat that sunset?

Almost every single day Stonehenge is a blur of driving wind and pounding rain but this evening was truly magical and even our tour guide remarked that it was one of the best evenings she had ever seen there, and she goes to Stonehenge several times a week! So I believe the photo brings a special positive energy to those who view it.

For this shot I took 3 bracketed images on a tripod and later fused them into an HDR image using Photomatix Pro and endless hours of painting on layer masks.

England: Among the Stones II, Stonehenge

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:13:42 GMT

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England: Among the Stones IV, Stonehenge

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:21:36 GMT

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England: Among the Stones V, Stonehenge

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:22:07 GMT

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England: Among the Stones VIII, Stonehenge

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:53:58 GMT

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England: Old Ben, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:44:15 GMT

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England: Roman Baths I, Bath

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:42:40 GMT

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England: Roman Baths II, Bath

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:41:41 GMT

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England: Sliding Down Parliament I, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:44:15 GMT

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England: Sliding Down Parliament II, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:49:45 GMT

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England: Stairway to Heaven, Bath

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:33:41 GMT

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England: Storm over St. Pauls, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:44:17 GMT

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England: Tower Bridge and the Double Decker Bus, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:45:56 GMT

]]>his is one of my top 10 favorite shots of 2010. It was taken late one night walking across the London Tower Bridge, an iconic masterpiece of steel and stone. It lights up the South End of London and is guarded by the infamous tower of London (seen bottom left). It was not an easy shot as the Tower Bridge was on the complete opposite end of London and the London Underground had closed for the night. After taking several long exposures a classic double decker London bus raced across the bridge and I was able to capture it like a red hot streak.

England: Tower Bridge HDR, London

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:53:59 GMT

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Venice Italy: Gondolas with San Giorgio Maggiore

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 24 May 2011 11:56:38 GMT

]]>This is arguably one of the most famous scenes from Venice, Italy, a snapshot of the gondolas floating in the Grand Canal with a view of the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the distance. The 600 year old bell tower of San Giorgio offers spectacular views of Venice and was even featured in a painting by Monet.

I like this scene of the gondolas because there is a gondola missing on the right hand side, conveying the message that life in Venice is a continual romantic journey.

Venice, Italy: Angelo di San Marco, Venice

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:28:34 GMT

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Venice, Italy: Cavalleria Veneziano

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:52:32 GMT

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Venice, Italy: Night Ride on the Vaporetto

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:07:19 GMT

]]>SELECTED OUT OF 2000 PHOTOS, THIS PHOTO IS THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE 2010 SMARTER TRAVEL CONTEST, BEST TRAVEL PHOTO OF 2010!

On a recent visit to the magical city of Venice, Italy, I reunited with an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in 10 years. The city was suffocated with tourists by day but we had the city to ourselves late at night. Just after midnight my friend and I strolled to the famous Rialto Bridge which straddles the Venice Grand Canal. I set up my Gitzo carbon fiber tripod on the Rialto Bridge and adjusted my Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera for a 25 second time exposure of the canal at night. While the camera was exposing the shot, a water taxi, the “Vaporetto” sped across the water rushing excited tourists to their Venetian adventure. The long exposure revealed the Vaporetto as streaks of red and white lights across the water. It was a rare shot and one I will always treasure because of the magical location, the reunion with a dear old friend and now this photo contest!

To view the original prize announcement, go to the Smarter Travel Website.

For more photo galleries, visit robertarrington.com

This was the second photo contest I have ever entered. The first one was also with Smarter Travel and I won first runner up in their Best of Italy Contest. This second attempt gave me the Grand Prize, a new Nikon Camera, a tripod and loads of fun gear. Made me very happy and truly boosted my confidence level higher than it has ever been!

Stay tuned to this gallery for more Venetian photos!

Venice, Italy: No Reservations

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:14:36 GMT

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Venice, Italy: San Giorgio

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:07:13 GMT

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Venice, Italy: San Marco After the Rain

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Fri, 27 May 2011 08:40:49 GMT

]]>Venice Italy, September 2010. Our dream trip to Venice was nearly washed down the Grand Canal by torrential rain. The first few days were cloudy and stormy and the sun barely peeked through the clouds (not to mention my mood). Mother Nature does not always cooperate when it comes to having the perfect weather conditions while traveling.

And that travel brochure that features that romantic couple strolling all alone in the Piazza Del Marco?

That was all CGI.

There were so many tourists in Venice on the weekend we were there that we literally could not extend our arms without punching someone right in the nose (believe me I was tempted). We even saw cruise ships the size of skyscrapers unloading 5000 tourists at a time into the ancient Piazza Del Marco. It was a Bridge of Sighs.

So one rainy evening I ventured out of our hotel at 1 in the morning to see what the Piazza San Marco looked like in the evening rain, and to my amazement I was completely alone! Just me in San Marco, alone for those precious few moments in time. The rain-soaked cobblestone created a shimmering reflection of the amber lit buildings. And then a few minutes later that perfect romantic couple strolled across the piazza, just like the tourist brochure had predicted!

I grabbed this shot and a few seconds later the torrential rains began again. Mother Nature gave me those precious few seconds and I am grateful.

Venice, Italy: The Doors of San Marco

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:41:34 GMT

]]>This is the front entrance to the Basilica San Marco and perhaps grandest of the Venetian Churches. The church is located in the famous Piazza San Marco and is adjacent to the Doge's Palace. The church was constructed in 828 and is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world.

As an American whose classification of "old" is anything prior to the 1950s, visiting a church that was erected during the time of the crusades is a humbling experience. And this I feel is the greatest advantage of travel... not only do we realize who we are in the place of the world but also in the place of time. Does an American realize what it means to be an American without traveling abroad? Does a fish consider itself to be "wet?" And do we understand what it means to be 21st century citizens when we have lived our whole lives in cities built only 100 years ago?

The great cathedrals of Europe beg us to understand.

Venice, Italy: Venice on a Sunday I, Venice

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:34:29 GMT

]]>Not content to linger in the tourist-choked streets, my friends and I set out to find the real Venice, the one locked between channels and bridges and endless trattorias. We wandered with the intent to become lost in the Venetian neighborhoods and we walked until the piazzas and streets were virtually silent. This is Venice on Sunday, where families out on a Sunday drive take their speedboats through the canals, where lines of washing stretch across from villa to villa, neighbor to neighbor. Colorful, weathered buildings whose early tenants walked the streets under gaslight and horse and cart. A Truly remarkable place!

Venice, Italy: Venice on a Sunday II, Venice

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:41:12 GMT

Venice, Italy: Venice on a Sunday III, Venice

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:44:56 GMT

Duomo_and_the_Campanile

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:26:56 GMT

]]>Florence, Italy: A view of the neo-gothic Campanile bell tower, designed by Giotto in 1334 and completed in 1359.

Volterra

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:26:58 GMT

]]>A view of the Etruscan village of Volterra, Tuscany which pre-dates the age of the Roman Empire. I love the satellite dishes on the homes, which paints such a stark contrast between the old and the new!

Il Duomo Florence

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:27:01 GMT

]]>A view of the neo-gothic marble facade of Florence's Duomo Cathedral. To the right is the Campanile bell tower, designed by Giotto in 1334 and completed in 1359.

Siena, Italy: Heads of the Popes

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:30:50 GMT

]]>The heads of the Popes line the walls of Siena's Duomo Cathedral in Tuscany, Italy.

Duomo_di_Siena_II

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:32:58 GMT

]]>Siena's Duomo is one of Italy's greatest cathedrals. Built between 1136-1382, the Duomo is a spectacular collection of sculptures, paintings and Romanesque-Gothic architecture.

Siena, Italy: Duomo di Siena

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:33:11 GMT

]]>Siena's Duomo is one of Italy's greatest cathedrals. Built between 1136-1382, the Duomo is a spectacular collection of sculptures, paintings and Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Especially interesting are the heads of each pope since St. Peter, shown in partial view in this photo.

Taken with my incredible 16-35mm wide angle!

Montefalco, Italy: The Balcony of Umbria

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:37:48 GMT

]]>Known for its lofty position and sweeping views, Montefalco, Italy affords breathtaking vistas of olive groves and endless fields of vineyards along the Vale of Spoleto. It is no wonder this incredible place has been named the "Balcony of Umbria."

Orvieto, Italy: Streets of Orvieto

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:38:16 GMT

]]>Strolling down one of the numerous winding alleyways of Orvieto, the old and the new mingle peacefully. A bicycle, a medieval knight, a hanging sun, and a motor scooter. I converted this image in a black and white and then painted a few spots of color back into the photo as a symbol of new meeting the old.

Umbria, Italy: The Walls of Orvieto

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:39:33 GMT

]]>Perched on a 1000 foot plain, the medieval Umbrian city of Orvieto gazes down on a rolling plain of lush greenvineyards.

Orvieto, Italy: Battenti

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:41:35 GMT

]]>In the medieval city of Orvieto, colorful shutters frame the weathered plaster buildings of a medieval home.

Orvieto, Umbria: Ciclomotore

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:41:53 GMT

]]>Nothing says Italy quite like the thousands of motor scooters that rumble through the narrow streets of her ancient cities. I discovered this beautiful scooter parked quietly in a remote alleyway in the medieval city of Orvieto, Umbria.

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robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:44:20 GMT

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robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:44:59 GMT

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Rome, Italy: Light of the Pantheon

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:45:10 GMT

]]>The Pantheon is one of the oldest buildings in Rome and one of the most extraordinary marvels of architecture in the world. Originally built in 126 AD as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, its only source of light is the singular oculus at the top of the dome. Almost two thousands years after it was built, the Pantheon dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. It was built without any modern machinery and stands for nearly two millennia. I truly doubt if our modern homes will be here in the year 4012.

Pompei, Italy: Ceramiche Antiche a Pompei

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:47:25 GMT

]]>n the ancient city of Pompeii there are few artifacts remaining. Most have been looted over time and the rest are carefully preserved in the Pompeii museum in Naples. This is a photo of several storage vessels that are visible inside the walls of Pompeii.

Pompei, Italy: Terme Romane a Pompei (Roman Baths)

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:49:48 GMT

]]>Pompeii Italy is the mother of all haunted places. This is not an archaeological site but an archaeological city, so vast that it is easy to get lost within the maze of ancient streets.
This is an image of the ceiling inside the Roman baths of Pompeii. Incredibly this room was discovered jwithin the last 150 years. The great eruption of Vesuvius occurred in 79 AD which means this incredible ceiling was entombed in darkness for over 1,800 years! It was completely buried in ash helping to preserve it so beautifully. A truly haunting image of an unforgettable place.

Amalfi Coast, Italy: High Road to Positano

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:50:03 GMT

]]>The highest road along Italy's Amalfi Coast affords a breathtaking view of Positano as she clings to the mountain above the Mediterranean Sea.

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Boats at Positano

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:51:33 GMT

]]>Boats on the beach in Positano

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Positano Clinging to the Mountainside

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:53:01 GMT

]]>Cascading down the hills of the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Positano clings to the mountainside and sparkles like a jewel in the sun. In the early 20th Century Positano fell on hard times and more than half of the population fled. But the famous writer John Steinbeck put Positano clearly on the tourist map when he wrote an essay and said, ""It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."

Today Positano is a holiday mecca full of bars and cafes, lemoncello stands, ceramic shops and sunburned tourists. It is a far cry from the ancient fishing village known by her ancestors.
Although this was only a brief afternoon stop on a long day excursion along the Amalfi Coast, Positano was by far the most beautiful place we discovered on our trip to Italy.

Positano

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:54:10 GMT

]]>Cascading down the hills of the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Positano clings to the mountainside and sparkles like a jewel in the sun. In the early 20th Century Positano fell on hard times and more than half of the population fled. But the famous writer John Steinbeck put Positano clearly on the tourist map when he wrote an essay and said, ""It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."

Today Positano is a holiday mecca full of bars and cafes, lemoncello stands, ceramic shops and sunburned tourists with worn out knees. It is a far cry from the ancient fishing village known by her ancestors.
Although this was only a brief afternoon stop on a long day excursion along the Amalfi Coast, Positano was by far the most beautiful place we discovered on our trip to Italy.

old door-bormes

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:56:34 GMT

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vallo di nera I

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:58:28 GMT

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Trophymme Altar

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:00:14 GMT

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grapes of puget-ville

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:00:54 GMT

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Coloseo

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:33:18 GMT

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Assisi, Italy: St. Francis the Guardian

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:33:20 GMT

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Neptune

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:33:21 GMT

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Facade_di_Siena

robert@robertarrington.com (Robert Arrington Photography) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:35:49 GMT

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