December 2015
From our trip to Eastern Germany, December 2015.
From our trip to Eastern Germany, December 2015.
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Friday, 28 August 2015
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Enjoying the holidays at the private villa in Alentejo, Portugal
From our trip to Alentejo, July 2015.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Friday, 29 May 2015
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
One week in Iceland
For a full size photo please click on the image.
A story behind: We drove the entire ring road around Iceland and throw in some detours as well, chasing light and stopping at every worthy sight. There were so many amazing things to see and shoot.
A photo above with silky smooth waterfall (15 seconds long exposure) and the iconic Kirkjufell mountain ("Church mountain" in Icelandic) in the background is one of my favourites.
This beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists . It is almost entirely surrounded by beaches.
This beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists . It is almost entirely surrounded by beaches.
Gear: Nikon D 610, Nikkor 16-35mm 4G ED AF-S, tripod, 10 stop photo filter,
| Focal Length: | 16mm |
| Exposure: | 15s |
| F Number: | f/22 |
| Exposure Bias: | -1.33 EV |
Date: May 21th, 2015. 16.29 p.m.
Maciek.
Maciek.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
The annual celebration of the Santo Cristo (Holy Spirit Festival).
For a full size photo please click on the image.
A story behind: An unforgettable night. 166 000 lights were lit that night on every church in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal. The Santo Christo Feast is the most important religious festival in the Azores.
Location: Ponta Delgada, Azores islands, Portugal.
Gear: Nikon D 610, Nikkor 16-35mm 4G ED AF-S, tripod,
Date: May 7th, 2015. 21.00 p.m.
Maciek.
Maciek.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
If I had to pick one image from our trip to Singapore this February....
Gardens by the bay, Singapore. For a full size photo please click on the image.
A story behind: Avatar-like man-made trees. Sunset. Seconds before the souund-and-light show started.
Location: Gardens by the bay. Singapore.
Gear: Nikon D 610, tripoid
Focal Length: 16 mm
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure: 1/125 sec.
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure: 1/125 sec.
Date: February 28th, 2015, 9:33 p.m.
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
April morning on Santa Maria island
For a full size photo please click on the image.
A story behind: A nice sunrise during our short holiday on the Santa Maria island with a São Lourenco lighthouse.
Location: São Lourenço, Santa Maria island, Portugal.
Gear: Nikon D 610, Nikkor 16-35mm 4G ED AF-S, tripod,
Date: April 15th, 2015. 07.20 a.m.
Maciek.
Maciek.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
Tips for driving a car in Taiwan
1.Why rent a car?
The island of Taiwan can be divided into 2 parts.
The Western mountainous region which is full of many spectacular places to visit, most of which are impossible to reach without your own means of transportation.
The Eastern part of the island is densely populated and is covered with not-always-beautiful residential and industrial areas. Among them there are hidden treasures and a car is essencial to find them.
On the internet you will find a lot of biased information of how difficult is to drive your rented cars in Taiwan and Japan. Believe me - this is not true.
Having your own car lets you explore things off the beaten tourist track, meet real people and find the pearls of architecture or spots of nature you will never believe they exist. Renting a car will save you money and a lot of time. For the amateur photographers the car it is essential to arrive at the places you want to photograph at the right time or shot landscapes during the "golden hour".
2. Tips
The island of Taiwan can be divided into 2 parts.
The Western mountainous region which is full of many spectacular places to visit, most of which are impossible to reach without your own means of transportation.
The Eastern part of the island is densely populated and is covered with not-always-beautiful residential and industrial areas. Among them there are hidden treasures and a car is essencial to find them.
On the internet you will find a lot of biased information of how difficult is to drive your rented cars in Taiwan and Japan. Believe me - this is not true.
Having your own car lets you explore things off the beaten tourist track, meet real people and find the pearls of architecture or spots of nature you will never believe they exist. Renting a car will save you money and a lot of time. For the amateur photographers the car it is essential to arrive at the places you want to photograph at the right time or shot landscapes during the "golden hour".
2. Tips
Driving at night at the central Taiwan residential area.
1. Rent a car at the airport.
We rented our car at one of the international companies at the airport. In comparison to other countries, renting a car in Taiwan is not very expensive. All the service and paper work is super efficient (now I understand why Apple have chose a Taiwanese company to produce iPhones).
2. Documents.
You will need an photo ID, a driving licence of you country of residence and International Driving Permit.
3. How is driving in Taiwan?
The first thing that will strike you while driving in Taiwan is a huge number of scooters all around you. We used to call then "the mosquitoes" since they are everywhere around you and they are a little annoying.
Stay calm, drive normally and it will all be fine.
When you leave the residential area, there will be few of them on the street.
4. Roads.
The roads are good, with signs in local language and most of them with English translations. Some main highways have a toll. In 2013, the toll system was converted to a distance-based one. Tolls are no longer collected at toll booths but they are collected automatically. The system is easy and efficient. All the rented cars are equipped with a front window chip and your car simply gets automatically scanned when passing a toll road. At the end of tour trip and when returning the car, you pay the bill.
We drove all around an island during 10 days and at the end we paid around 30 Euros.
5. Driving in Taipei.
Not recommended and unnecessary. The capital of Taiwan has a highly efficient metro system. We simply left our rented car for free at the hotel´s parking lot.
6. Gasoline:
The gasoline is extremely cheap in comparison to our European standard prices. 1 litre costs around 70 Euro cents (2015). There are always people to help you at the pump stations.
7. In Taiwan it rains a lot.
So with a car even during the rain you can see, visit and enjoy your holidays.
8. You drive on right side like in the continental Europe and US.
9. When driving around the island start with the Eastern part, go south and then come back to Taipei along the Western coast. As you sit on the right side of the road, it is much easier to stop by the road and enjoy the views driving along the beautiful Western coast from South to North. Not to mention that you will have the sun behind you!
10. Rent a mobile Wi-Fi.
Easy to rent at the airport. Cheap. 10 days of unlimited WIFI was 20 Euros.
11. GPS.
Bring your own GPS. With an unlimited portable WIFI you can use Google maps. I use a big screen GPS installed on my tablet (see a photo above).
I hope you find my tips helpful.
Driving along the Western coast of the Taiwan Island.
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
A sunrise at the Lotus Lake
For a full size photo please click on the image.
A story behind: Looking from the nine cornered bridge at the Wuli Pagoda at the Lotus Lake.
A day after we assisted a fabulous Taichung Lantern Festival we arrived at the city of Kaoshiung, southern part of the Island of Taiwan.
A couple of days earlier we landed at Taipei International Airport, rented a car ( highly recommended way of visiting Taiwan (and Japan). Forget all the nonsense of "travelling with a public transport thing" and get a car that will take you to the real Taiwan/Japan and places that are impossible to reach by public transport). In fact I intend to write a separate post with my Tips For Driving in Japan and Taiwan.
A day after we assisted a fabulous Taichung Lantern Festival we arrived at the city of Kaoshiung, southern part of the Island of Taiwan.
A couple of days earlier we landed at Taipei International Airport, rented a car ( highly recommended way of visiting Taiwan (and Japan). Forget all the nonsense of "travelling with a public transport thing" and get a car that will take you to the real Taiwan/Japan and places that are impossible to reach by public transport). In fact I intend to write a separate post with my Tips For Driving in Japan and Taiwan.
Location: Kaoshiung, Taiwan.
Gear: Nikon D 610, Nikkor 16-35mm 4G ED AF-S, tripod,
Focal Length: 16 mm
Aperture: 22
Exposure: 1 sec.
Aperture: 22
Exposure: 1 sec.
Date: March 12th, 2015. 06.20 a.m.
Maciek.
Maciek.
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