Ponte Vecchio, a photo from Florence, Tuscany

Photographer's Note

Just a panoramic nightshot of one of my favorite spots in the beautiful city of Florence. Here's some info I found in WIKIPEDIA:

"The Ponte Vecchio (Italian for Old Bridge) is a famous medieval bridge over the Arno, in Florence, Italy, noted for having shops (mainly jewellers) built along it. It is Europe's oldest segmental arch bridge.

Believed to have been first built in Roman timesit was originally made of wood. After being destroyed by a flood in 1333 it was rebuilt in 1345, this time in stone. Most of the design is attributed to Taddeo Gaddi. The bridge consists of three segmental arches, the main arch has a span of 30 meters (98 feet) the two side arches each span 27 meters (88 feet). The rise of the arches is between 3.5 and 4.4 meters (11˝ to 14˝ feet), and the rise-to-span ratio approximately 1:5.

It has always hosted shops and merchants (legend says this was originally due to a tax exemption), which displayed their goods on tables after authorisation of the Bargello (a sort of a lord mayor, a magistrate and a police authority).

It is said that the economic concept of bankruptcy originated here: when a merchant could not pay his debts, the table on which he sold his wares (the "banco") was physically broken ("rotto") by soldiers, and this practice was called "bancorotto" (broken table; possibly it can come from "banca rotta" which means "broken bank"). Not having a table anymore, the merchant was not able to sell anything.(...)During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat of August 4, 1944, unlike all other bridges in Florence. This was allegedly because of an express order by Hitler. Access to Ponte Vecchio was, however, obstructed by the destruction of the buildings at both ends."

*I USED THE DRI METHOD FOR THIS ONE. 6 PHOTOS (2 SHOTS, CONVERTED EACH ONE OF THEM THREE TIMES FROM RAW TO TIFF) WITH A DIFERENCE OF 1 EV ONE FROM THE OTHER

**YOU CAN ALSO CHECK THE LARGE VERSION FOR MORE DETAILS

*** JUST ONE PHOTO CROPPED LIKE A PANORAMA.

barrufeto_77, cengiz, pasternak, marianita, arnie, bostankorkulugu, delkoo, coco, siolaw, evanrizo, teutza, Angshu, vincz, sebcz, jhm, catherinetodd, Yffic, Paolo, Angelillo, Henryk_Bilor, Vato_Law, yogi32, Isab, alentejo, Bruno40, Felip oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2006-10-11 6:59

Hola Hercules.

Otro clásico de Florencia.... :P

Por supuesto, la espectacularidad de la vista hace que la foto sea fácil.

Buenísimas la definición y las luces, muy bien captadas.

Un saludo, Oscar

cengiz (3593) 2006-10-11 7:03

its perfectly done
compliments
cengiz

pasternak (15185) 2006-10-11 7:04

Yes, just another Ponte Vecchio shot, but what a beauty! I think this panorama is excellent, complete with the reflections, it looks like these old big mirrors, you know, consisting of three parts which could be turned. Excellent also technically! Goes to my theme.

Cheers
Alexander

marianita (3455) 2006-10-11 7:07

HERCULES
a postcard image from florence!well taken, beautiful reflections, and clarity
marianna

arnie (1817) 2006-10-11 7:12

Hi Hercule,
An amazing shot. The light and shade and the reflections on a river so still it looks like a sheet of glass.
Regards Arnie

sc07 (1292) 2006-10-11 7:13

Kalimera!
Some could say...well, classic POV of Florence! Of course, the POV is usual...BUT you made a masterpiece here! Wonderful composition, the light and the details are very well captured! Really a fantastic picture, with great Italian colors...I love it! Congratulations!
Seb

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2006-10-11 7:17

beautiful night shot irakli.
magical reflection on the Arno and great perspective. cool symetry also. congrats, file.
korkut

gigi (2668) 2006-10-11 7:18

HI Hercules
une magnifique photo de nuit
l'effet de miroir est tres reussi
bravo du bon boulot
jean louis

mrcrow (3993) 2006-10-11 7:25

i like the smaller version but the larger is more powerful for a night shot..
refresh my memory please and tell me how you did the upload etc to get the large photo stage..
i tried recently and got a bit mixed up and oversized the entry
never thought of doing the ponte vecchio this way
cheers
geof

kebek (5438) 2006-10-11 7:26

Serwus Hercules !
This is one grand night photography, technically flawless. This is also a great work in PP just to have it brilliant like that. And it should be most appreciated.
My congratulations.
Be well,
Mat

AthaPan (0) 2006-10-11 7:27

Irakli hi!

I just have this terminus for you:
PERFECT.

Cheers file
sakis

Haymotion (2761) 2006-10-11 7:27

Pas facile de faire un panorama dans de telles conditions !!
Et tu t'en sort magnifiquement bien..
Qu'elle belle luminosité
L'effet mirroir est également bien vue
Un grand bravo
Vince

delkoo (68) 2006-10-11 7:46

hi hercules
what a great pano, light is very well managed, I like the tones too and reflection.

very beautiful work.

didier

D-fens (142) 2006-10-11 7:59

Great capture, excellent composition. Light is perfect. Piece and quiet.

donluicu (24741) 2006-10-11 9:26

Hi Hercules
excellent PP work, the view is classical, but the result is awesome..very good job

regards

coco (30439) 2006-10-11 9:45

Kalispera Hercules.
Sin duda es buena. Pero la cuestión para mi no es esa. La foto es buena, es preciosa incluso, y el puente tiene un gran valot: pero quiero saber como usar el método DRI.
A ver si cuando vuelva a Barcelona me pongo en ello.

Carlos.

siolaw (38294) 2006-10-11 10:15

Iassou Iraklis
Fantastic shot of a classic spot... the light and POV are great,the reflections are superb...
Excellent job
Ta leme
Laurent

evanrizo (462) 2006-10-11 11:11

Ωωωωωωωωωωω τι απόλαυση είναι αυτή Ηρακλή, τι μαγευτική εικόνα, ένα τέλειο αποτέλεσμα.
Είνια δύσκολη αυτή η τεχνική για να κάνω και εγώ τέτοιες "μαγκιές";;;; -:)))

MiguelP (14470) 2006-10-11 13:02

Esta foto es sencillamente ESPECTACULAR, Hercules. Si un director de cine como David Lean hubiera visto esta foto, habría rodado una imagen similar en una de sus grandes películas. Es una foto rotunda, simetricamente elegante, llena de hermosura. Fantástica de verdad. Un abrazo.

leo61 (0) 2006-10-11 13:38

Hello Hercules!
Fantastic symetric nightshot.Excellent POV and a verry nice view at the bridge and the houses at both sides.Verry nice colors ,good sharpness and many nice details,and wonderful light.
Regards,leo

Wanda1 (15142) 2006-10-11 14:40

Hi Hercules,
A beautiful night shot of this place with a perfect reflection. Nice panorama format. Great details.
Regards
Wanda

teutza (10590) 2006-10-11 15:34

Hello Hercules,
i just love this panorama!!this is a great place !!!and this nightshot is amasing!!
TFS!
teo

KostasKon (0) 2006-10-11 16:12

Fantastic panoramic night shot. Great colours and lightness, very good details and beautiful reflections. Congratulations.

Scharan (14144) 2006-10-11 21:42

Incrível esta foto Hercules, o reflexo na água é perfeito, bonito efeito de cores e luzes; linda foto noturna, parabéns.
Grande abraço,
Vera.

Graal (103040) 2006-10-12 2:38

Hi Hercules,
great shot, beautiful place and view. I like the colours, composition and reflections. Well done photo. Pretty Firenze.
Gr., Aleksander

vincz (19113) 2006-10-12 4:05

Gorgeous panorama with incredible reflections. This is transporting me through time to Florence where I was years ago. With this picture together with the previous one you posted yesterday, you captured really well the atmosphere of this city. Very good job!

jhm (211738) 2006-10-12 6:43

Hi Hercules,

Florence one of the most beautiful art cities of Italy, you show us a incredible picture what a mirror image, excellent composition also a perfectly angle for a great perspective. Very well done! Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John

sebcz (2345) 2006-10-12 8:11

Hi Hercules!
Splendid result, useful note as well.
Regards,
Seb

p.s. I also posted an email question to your address.

Emiel_Skyfreak (3002) 2006-10-12 9:39

Beautiful shot with a very good exposure, lovely lights and a good POV. Good work on the PP. Maybe you could have run some extra sharpness on the buildings, most visible in the bigger photo.

a_i_ren (1315) 2006-10-12 10:26

Hi, Hercules,
Perfect image, excellent PP! Compliments!!!
Regards.
Inna

catherinetodd (18) 2006-10-13 0:18 [Comment]

Show Comment

Angshu (56760) 2006-10-13 3:36

Hello Hercules
This is a stupendous photo & herculean (no pun intended ;-)) effort in PP. What has emerged from your efforts is a photograph worth the highset accolades..everything is perfect. Both the normal & the larger version has the same visual punch. Straight into my favs.
Bravo my friend!
Regards
Angshu

Yffic (6106) 2006-10-13 4:39

Hi Hercules..

A very, very nice panorama of a fabulous POV.
Great nights colors.

Regards.

Yves

Paolo (41258) 2006-10-13 5:38

Hi Hercules, this is a masterpiece!
a fantastic pano view on the Ponte Vecchio and the buildings on the Arno banks!
excellent quality, a great POV and a perfect control of lights and colours!
great, great shot.
thanks, ciao

Angelillo (9374) 2006-10-13 12:54

Hola Hercules,

żcómo dejar pasar esta foto? Si ya es bello este puente, verlo duplicado... Es estupendo el contraste entre la oscuridad reinante y el color dorado de las piedras. El reflejo es estupendo, y la definición y detalles de la versión grande son magníficas. En resumen, un tema bonito y agradable de ver, y una realización muy lograda. Me gusta!

Angel.

Dragonheart (8434) 2006-10-14 3:07

Hello Hercules,
Absolutely amazing cpature. I lpove the reflection and beautiful night lights. Very well framed and composed.
Well done
Thanks for sharing
My best wishes
Vivek

PixelTerror (0) 2006-10-14 18:42

Hi Hercules,
A classic angle but an excellent view, the reflection is superb and widening the view using this panoramic format works best for the ponte vecchio.
Have a nice week end,
Jean-Yves

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2006-10-15 6:08

Hello Hercules
Great night shot. I like the lights and their reflection in the river. Beautiful effect.
Regards

Vato_Law (12732) 2006-10-15 6:29

Hello Hercules,
Typical Firenze view with Ponte Vecchio and the houses surroundng it. Nice cmposition, well exposed and sharpened, with the reflections on river giving it that special touch.
Cheers.
Paulo

sayan (2617) 2006-10-15 9:06

This is just amazing Hercules. I know that you are a master of night shots and you made me astonished once again. The larger one is also wonderful. Great Symmetry, Great Reflections and Great Sharpness. Nice wonderful lights too.
Straight to my favourites.

Regards,
Sayan

logios (1903) 2006-10-16 9:54

Οταν έχεις την Φλωρεντία έχεις την αξία τεράστια, όταν όμως έχεις δύο (εξαιρετική ανατνάκλαση!)τότε η αξία της είναι ανυπολόγιστη.
θαυμάσιος φωτισμός και καθαρότητα.
Μπράβο Ηρακλή.
Γιαννης

nika (0) 2006-10-16 14:00

La foto es Perfecta !!

abrazos

vbl (1421) 2006-10-17 18:18

Hola Hercules!
Me encanta Florencia, y el puente Vecchio... sin palabras.
El POV es fantanstico. Fantastico ejemplo de las fotos que te gustan (noche y reflejos, pero bien hechos, no como en mi torre del Oro)
genial foto

lilimih33 (9918) 2006-10-18 18:44

Hello Hercules! Amazing shot with very great colours and reflexion! God detail and POV! Congratulation for your work! Lili

Leia74 (843) 2006-10-25 11:04

Ciao Hercules,
wowo this shot is incredible! The sharpness and clarity of lines is fantastic and the light looks like magic!
Great!
Sabrina

Isab (865) 2006-11-02 17:22

Bonjour
Trčs beau point de vue. La netteté est parfaite. Le reflet dans l'eau calme est superbe.
J'aime beaucoup cette photo.
Bye
Isabelle

markpanos (1977) 2006-11-07 21:48

1 defterolepto anixto ...

Petiximeni me ta ola tis... exi gini mia klasiki sto idos tis etouti i foto.
Bravo, na elkisis tin prosoxi toson anthropon se mia foto apo ena thema idi poli gnosto kai bareto se polous.
Afto egine epidi i foto sou ine antaksia
Sinxaritiria

meltemi (0) 2007-06-04 14:17

Hello Hercules,
I missed this italian one! What a superb picture. You managed very well to do it. Great composition. The lights on the Arno river give a dramatic effect enhanced by the strong colors in the buildings. Very well done! Congratulations!
Stella

alentejo (1954) 2007-06-08 19:30

Hi Hercules !
I have no words to express my feelings looking at this picture. I have a shot of Ponte Vecchio but not that way. Your view is amazing indeed. Florence is such a beautiful city, art at each street corner. The lights and the reflexion are gorgeous. It worth more than 2 points.
Good stuff Hercules
Best regards

jjcordier (79299) 2007-07-16 1:14

Je n'avais pas encore vu cette formidable photo du Ponte Vecchio. Superbe!
Amicalement
JJ

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-12-07 20:37

Hola Hercules,
Otra espectacular foto de tu coleccion. no me canso de admirarla!
Me gutsa tu trabajo tecnico aqui, y la interesante nota que pusiste.
saludos y que tengas un buen fin de semana
Jorge

Felip (3907) 2008-03-12 7:49

Buenas tardes amigo Hercules.
Aunque la imagen del puente sea ya un clasico, tu imagen es sublime, casi podría decirse que parece una postal, pero NO!, es mucho mas bella que una postal. La definición es...sencillamente perfecta. Un 10 :o

Felicidades...otra vez.

Felip