Fluffy

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Tulln 2024

The floodplains along the Danube River play a crucial role in maintaining the health of this waterway. Their significance comes from:

  1. Flood Control and Risk Reduction:
    • Floodplains act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. By doing so, they help prevent downstream flooding in urban and rural areas.
    • When the river swells beyond its banks, floodplains provide a buffer zone, allowing water to spread out gradually. This reduces the impact of sudden floods and protects communities, infrastructure, and agricultural land.
  2. Water Purification:
    • As water flows through floodplains, it undergoes natural filtration. Wetlands and marshes within floodplains remove pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients.
    • This purification process enhances water quality, benefiting both human consumption and aquatic ecosystems.
  3. Biodiversity Hotspots:
    • Floodplains support diverse plant and animal species. Their unique habitats include wetlands, meadows, and riparian forests.
    • These areas provide breeding grounds for fish, amphibians, and waterfowl. Many migratory birds rely on floodplains as stopover points during their journeys.

Blue

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Vienna 2023

During the blue hour, the sun is positioned approximately 4 to 6 degrees below the horizon. The resulting light is cold, steely, and imbued with rich hues of blue. Contrary to its name, the blue hour doesn’t last a full hour; its duration varies based on your location, the time of year, and weather conditions. However, it typically encompasses at least civil and nautical twilight, extending beyond what most people expect.

Recommended Camera Settings for Blue Hour Photography
  1. ISO: Keep your ISO low (around 100-400) to minimize noise.
  2. Aperture: Opt for a smaller aperture (higher f-number) to achieve greater depth of field.
  3. Shutter Speed: Since light levels are lower, use a tripod and longer exposure times (seconds to minutes) to capture the scene without blur.
  4. White Balance: Set your white balance to “Daylight” or “Tungsten” to enhance the blue tones.
  5. Composition: Pay attention to framing, leading lines, and silhouettes. Experiment with different angles and perspectives.

Wisingsborg Castle Ruins

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Visingsö 2004

“Visingsborg” is the designation for a county and a castle on the eastern side of the island Visingsö in Lake Vättern, Sweden. Both are historically closely connected with the Brahe family.

The castle was built in the 1560s as a square with four towers and a moat. Stones from the Alvastra Monastery were also used in its construction. The old castle on Visingsö, Näs slott, had long been a ruin by this time. The county included locations on the island as well as in Småland and Västergötland, totaling 468 farms in 1569 and an additional 100 in the 1640s. In 1654, Count Per Brahe the Younger obtained jurisdiction over the inhabitants of Visingsö.

As a result of a fire on the night of December 22 to 23, 1718, the castle was ruined. Russian prisoners of war from the Great Northern War, relocated there at the time, were accused of starting the fire.

The builders of the castle were:

  • Per Brahe the Elder constructed the west wing.
  • Magnus Brahe, son of the former, built the south wing, which with its halls and other chambers constituted the most stately part of the castle.
  • Per Brahe the Younger added a north wing for the servants. During his time, a harbor was also established. The castle was crowned with six towers with gilded spires. Inventories from his era show an extensive library and an armory with weapons for 800 men. The ramparts were equipped with cannons, and a small army of 200 men was stationed in Visingsborg. Additionally, Per Brahe the Younger built Brahehus as a widow’s residence for his wife. Against the church’s resistance, he also founded a school on Visingsö, which was established in the church of Kumlaby.

La piscine

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Vienna 2017

This swimming pool always reminds me of “La piscine”, the great film with Romy Schneider and Alain Delon.

“La Piscine” is known for its stylish cinematography, capturing the glamour of the French Riviera, and the tense, psychological drama that unfolds. The film has gained a reputation as a classic in the erotic thriller genre, and it has been influential for its portrayal of complex relationships and the consequences of jealousy.

Relaxing

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Florence 2017

The history of graffiti spans thousands of years, evolving from ancient cave paintings to a modern urban art form. Graffiti, derived from the Italian word “graffiato” meaning scratched, encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions, from simple tags to intricate murals.

In ancient civilizations such as Rome and Pompeii, graffiti served as a means of political and social commentary. Citizens would inscribe messages on walls, expressing dissent, admiration, or simply leaving their mark. The preserved ruins of Pompeii reveal a rich tapestry of ancient graffiti that provides insight into the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Today, graffiti continues to be a powerful form of expression, addressing social issues, cultural identity, and personal narratives. It has evolved from its humble beginnings in ancient caves to a dynamic, influential art form that resonates across the globe, leaving an indelible mark on the history of human creativity.