Athens/Rome

SFTPhotography

SFTPhotography

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I've managed to get a decent holiday for three weeks time.

I've got 2 nights in Athens, leaving me really 1 whole day to see sights and a morning before flying onto Rome for 3 nights, giving 2 full days and a half day to explore.

Rome is easy and I know what I want to shoot and when when I'm in Rome. Athens I can see a late pm at the ruins (Acropolypse) and some evening photography and what ever else I can find.

Excited, moi!!!!
 
I wouldn't worry, with autocorrect these days even those who can end up typing gibberish half the time...

So many wonderful places in Rome - good to be there for a few days. Only downside is it's just soooo sunny for so much of the day :(
 
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ST4 said:
. Athens I can see a late pm at the ruins (Acropolypse)
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TBH I was there many years ago, and looking at the state of it, then "Acropolypse" seemed to fit the description nicely :D
There was also a lot of graffiti there too, I tried to read it, but it was all Greek to me ( :coat: )

Enjoy your Break Steve :thumbs:


pjm1 said:
I wouldn't worry, with autocorrect these days even those who can end up typing gibberish half the time...
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Ah yes modern age technology, has given us another "excuse" for those of us who manage to screw our words up.
What would we do without it? :D
 
one of my fave breaks ever, booked a return flight to Athens 10 nights apart, booked a hotel in Athens for the last 2 nights, flew to Athens, got on a ferry and went around the islands and spent the last 2 nights in Athens.. it was bloody awesome, Naxos & Athens were the highlights. the bus system was very impressive in Athens, the people riding motorbikes less impressive..

you'll have a great time, take a bottle of water when you head to the Acropolis because that 30 minute walk will be of the uphill variety.
 
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pjm1 said:
I wouldn't worry, with autocorrect these days even those who can end up typing gibberish half the time...

So many wonderful places in Rome - good to be there for a few days. Only downside is it's just soooo sunny for so much of the day :(
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I like sun. I'll use the blue hours and two hours after sunrise and two before sunset for serious work
 
Imo one full day isn't enough though.
Should have picked one or t'other :-)
I have no doubt we'll see some fine results though :-)
 
ST4 said:
No, I agree but it's a bonus. Two avid three quarter days in Rome should be.

If I take to Athens I can always go back
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True enough!
 
Athens is on my list of places to go, probably en route to Lesvos. Been to Greece lots, but not there yet.

Have a great trip - we'll look forward to the pix.
 
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ST4 said:
I'll give you a million pounds to jump infront of a moving train!!!
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I just jumped in front of the Deltic "Meld" towing three BR MkIV coaches in Intercity livery. This constitutes a "train" to any normal definition. I claim my £1million.

You didn't make any stipulation about not using OO gauge rolling stock :D
 
The Temple of Olympian Zeus is actually better preserved than the Acropolis and will be much quieter. It's on ground level so the photo opportunities won't be as spectacular but it's definitely worth a visit.

See, I can be nice. Make sure if you get taxis you get a radio taxi from a hotel of restaurant. Cabs you hail off the street can, and will, pick up other fares and take you all over the shop.
 
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ST4 said:
I cannot spell, the Acropolis of Athens is only 30mins walk from my hotel, so will get nice golden hour light and see what else I see on my travels.

I'm guessing my tripod is hold luggage fodder.
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It's a long time since I was in Athens but I can't remember anywhere being 30 mins walk from the Acropolis. It means "steep/precipice city" and they took that pretty seriously ;)
 
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Great. That's two things. The Olympian temple and the other thing I could not spell.

I have a clearer idea of what I want to shoot in Rome. Gear wise I have it down to tripod, D800 24-70f2.8 circ polariser and Lee 0.6/0.9 grads. Oh and shorts plus t shirts
 
Update, I've been on street view planning the light direction along the tiber for blue hour and golden hour shooting of the cistine chappel. I've a few shots I already want to take, plus the random gazillion I will take once there. I'm in for a treat
 
Shooting inside the Sistine chapel isn't banned. I think flash is.
You can even use a tripod if you ask nicely

Edit...curiosity got the better of me so I Goog..... I looked online ;)
Apparently photography inside chapel is banned, however a quick look on Flickr reveals a Bajillion images so....... ;) :lol:
 
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viv1969 said:
Shooting inside the Sistine chapel isn't banned. I think flash is.
You can even use a tripod if you ask nicely

Edit...curiosity got the better of me so I Goog..... I looked online ;)
Apparently photography inside chapel is banned, however a quick look on Flickr reveals a Bajillion images so....... ;) :LOL:
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I have quite bulky gear, getting that lot in on the QT will be tricky.

I love still water golden hour and evening, the right conditions along the tiber will give some stunning imagery. I'll visit all the sights too including St Peters.
 
^Joe said:
Shooting of the sistine chapel....? The exterior is ugly, and I'm not sure accesible, and inside is forbidden.

I would suggest going up the basilica in st peters to shoot the square, though I do not know the times of opening.

St Peters square from the dome by ^Joe, on Flickr

Have a great time, looking forward to the pics. I love love love Rome.
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How much did you pay to get in?
 
Shooting inside the chapel is forbidden, I've had the Vatican guys push my camera down, and seen it done to many other people in there, you can sneak a few but can't compose any.

ST4 said:
How much did you pay to get in?
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How much did I pay for the basilica? I can't remember, not much.

I think the actual St peters church is free to get in (could be wrong).
Then you pay to go to the top, either stairs or lift.
The Vatican museum (which is what you go through to get to the sistine chapel) is around €20, and you MUST book online to avoid the queues.
 
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^Joe said:
Shooting inside the chapel is forbidden, I've had the Vatican guys push my camera down, and seen it done to many other people in there, you can sneak a few but can't compose any.



How much did I pay for the basilica? I can't remember, not much.

I think the actual St peters church is free to get in (could be wrong).
Then you pay to go to the top, either stairs or lift.
The Vatican museum (which is what you go through to get to the sistine chapel) is around €20, and you MUST book online to avoid the queues.
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How bad are the queues to go in. I am tempted to book although hate being constrained by reservations.
 
ST4 said:
How bad are the queues to go in. I am tempted to book although hate being constrained by reservations.
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They're worse than bad. Book online (vatican official website) for around 10am and you'll be ok any time between 9.30 and 1030 I would say. They didn't even check my time. The reserved entry there was NO queue when I went (June) and the no ticket was around 2.5 hours.

I personally wouldn't bother with the pass / Roma card thing.. Price it up but I wouldn't bother.

The more research you do before you go the better. It's so worth it!

Castel Saint Angelo will look great at the golden hour with the river.
 
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^Joe said:
Then yes that is a long walk. Don't forget to check Santa Maria Maggiorre out as that's very local. Ice and handy for the coliseum too obviously.

And Saint Peter in chains (church. Forgot the name)
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San Pietro in Vincoli. I think Michelangelo's 'Moses' in the basilica is the only sculpture of an Old Testament figure in any of the churches in Rome.
 
Widest zoom I have is a 24-70. I could take a Zeiss 21mm but trying to keep the gear down. Plus I expect I'll shoot some blue hour on the tiber. Most of my work is outdoors.

I've found this: 3 days unlimited public transport - https://www.conciergerie.com/rome/pass/rome-metro-pass.php?O=RK&a=top

I'll book the vatican stuff separately.

A plan is forming.
 
Look on the trip advisor rome forum section. There's some vey good informative guides about all these passes. Remember a lot of places are free entry.

If you're using public transport a lot then it may be more worth it. I didn't.
 
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ST4 said:
Widest zoom I have is a 24-70. I could take a Zeiss 21mm but trying to keep the gear down. Plus I expect I'll shoot some blue hour on the tiber. Most of my work is outdoors.

I've found this: 3 days unlimited public transport - https://www.conciergerie.com/rome/pass/rome-metro-pass.php?O=RK&a=top

I'll book the vatican stuff separately.

A plan is forming.
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not taking 21mm would lead to a spectacular failure with quite a few frames. Good luck either way.

I doubt you'll need more than a couple cheap regular metro tickets. Everything is doable on foot and many attractions are close together. Watch out for Termini - it might remind you of home or even better. :)
 
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