The Cies Island beach

(right click for the full image)

A story behind: In February 2007 the British newspaper The Guardian chose the beach of the Island of Cies as one of "the best beach in the world" (link). This is a wonderful place, kind of the Caribbean - style beach, with turquoise water an lovely white sand.

These are two images from our Early morning Monday trip to these Spanish islands. We walked, had some beach-time and really enjoyed our stay.

That was also a nice opportunity to play with my old Sigma wide-lenses.


Location: Cies islands, Galiza, Spain

Gear: Nikon D700, Sigma 10-20 mm.

ISO: 200

Date Taken:  Monday, July 8th, 2013, 09:35

Maciek.

The best shot I had in Tuscany (so far !)

(right click for the full 1000px image)

A story behind: Early morning at the foot of the Tuscan hills. Still some fog in the valleys. A deserted Italian villa somewhere in the Crete Siense.

Location: Between Asciano and Siena.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikkor 70-300 mm, handheld.

ISO: 400

Exposure bias: -0,7 EV

Focal Length: 220 mm

Aperture: 7.1

Date Taken:  June 9th, 2013, 06:23

Maciek.

Madonna del Parto

A story behind: Having been able to see on our own eyes this masterpiece was one of the highlights of out recent trip to Tuscany. Housed in the small Museo della Madonna del Parto of Monterchi ( a small village in Eastern Tuscany ) this is a 260 cm huge fresco made around year 1455.
The museum is very small and always uncrowded so you have this wonderful painting made by the Italian Renaissance master Piero della Francesca, all for yourself.

Gear: Nikon D700, handheld.

ISO: 2000

Exposure bias: -0,7 EV

Focal Length: 27 mm

Date Taken:  June 8th, 2013, 08:21

Maciek.

São Pedro fireworks

Fireworks of Saint Pedro holidays with the Arrábida bridge being a part of a scenery.

A story behind: São Pedro da Afurada (or simply Afurada) is a small locality in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. It has 3,442 inhabitants. São Pedro ( Saint Peter ) is a local holiday with processions, a lot of music and ... the best fireworks sound and light show in the Northern Portugal.



Location: Douro River, Porto, Portugal.

Gear: Nikon D700, tripod.

Aperture: f/11

Exposure bias: +0,7 EV

Focal Length: 22 mm

ISO:400

Date Taken: Saturday, June 29th, 2013, 00:09

Maciek.

Annual Barco Rabelo boat race

Annual Barco Rabelo boat race on the Douro river. Click to enlarge.

A story behind: Early afternoon. A strong harsh light shining along the Douro River. The barco rabelos, now only a tourist attraction, are old wooden boats which once carried the port wine from the upper Douro river to city of Porto. Each Port wine producer still owns such a boat. 
Each year on the 25th of June they sail and race from the mouth of the Douro river up 5 kilometers to the center of the old town.

Location: Porto, Arrábida Bridge, Portugal.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikon 70-300 mm,

Aperture: f/8

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 82 mm

ISO: 200

Date Taken: Monday, June 24th, 2013, 15:26

Maciek.

A late afternoon at the Tuscan hills

Rolling Tuscan hills near Pienza, Italy. Click to enlarge.

A story behind: Late afternoon. A fading light has given the Tuscan rolling hills a third dimension.

Location: near Pienza, Tuscany, Italy.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikon 70-300 mm,

Aperture: f/5,3

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 200 mm

ISO: 320

Date Taken: Saturday, June 8rd, 2013, 17:53

Maciek.

Chefchaouen - a blue city.

A story behind: Chefchaouen is blue. All the houses and stores are blue-rinsed. This is one of the prettiest sites in Morocco.

As I was wondering the narrow streets of the old town early in the morning I spotted this woman wearing a traditional red jelaba. I quickly took the shot. The moment lasted 2 seconds and she was gone.

Location: Northern Morocco.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikon 16-35 mm.

ISO: 2000

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

Date Taken: May 5rd, 2013, 07:10

Maciek.

The white mosque

A story behind: A late afternoon. Sunset over the small town of Merzouga, Morocco, as seen from the desert. A white mosque. On the horizon the anti-atlas mountains.

Location: Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Morocco.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikon 70-300 mm,

Aperture: f/10

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 300 mm

ISO: 320

Date Taken: Thursday, May 2rd, 2013, 20:00

Maciek.

Merzouga

A story behind: Very early morning. Just a few minutes after the sunrise. Cold wind blowing west from the Algerian border. 

A camel caravan passing the dunes of the Erg Chebbi.

I used the F-stop of 10 just to gain maximum sharpness. I shoot against the light to maximize the contrasts on the dunes. 
Plese click on the image to get a full screen preview.
Photo on the front page of : http://www.fotocommunity.com/

Location: Merzouga, Morocco.

Gear: Nikon D700, Nikon 70-300 mm,

Aperture: f/10

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 300 mm

ISO: 320

Date Taken: Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 06:31

Maciek.

Early April in our garden

Last days of Gardenia flowers. Wild strawberry.