Touring in Prague

WE BEGAN our first full day in Prague with a walking food tour. Fortunately for us, following the ordeal of the prior day's train ride, a relatively late evening, and a lot of time on our feet, the tour didn't begin until 11:00 a.m. Also fortuitous was the fact that the tour started almost immediately across the street from our VRBO. In fact, the tour essentially confined itself to the Mala Strana neighborhood of Prague. Our lodging for the days in Prague sat right in the heart of Mala Strana, with the Mala Strana main tram stop immediately out our door, and the western entrance to The Charles Bridge around the corner just a block away. Joyce had a friend who had highly recommended the apartment - and we could not have chosen a better spot.

Our Tram Stop in front of our doorstep - Church in the Background was food tour meeting place - Prague, Czech Republic
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

WE FOUND our tour guide and group easily enough, and off we went. The first place we stopped a really good soup (there were actually 2 different soups to choose from, and I ended up thinking I would have liked the one I didn't choose better). We could see this restaurant when standing in front of the door of our VRBO, and we ended up there for dinner later that evening. I got my soup. It was good - and it was better than the one I had tried in the morning (which was also very good). We tried a couple other samples of local food. It was all good. The Czechs like hearty food. Lots of meat, bread and cheese. Very much reminds me of my friend, Bob's observation about the "best" Swiss food being "peasant" food. The one place that was most memorable to me was (again, literally around the corner from our place), a sandwich shop. I never did really get the name of the sandwich, but apparently this open-faced sandwich is a popular favorite with the locals. I really wanted to get back there, but the only day that really worked was on the weekend and the shopkeeper told me they only had them on weekdays (presumably for the working lunch crowd). They are on my list for our next Prague visit. The other thing that was nearly omnipresent during the food tour and at most other times in Prague: Beer! We got the chance to taste a couple different ones. I have to say, enjoyed all the beers we consumed during this entire trip.

Beer Tap in one of our Restaurants (the first one mentioned in the narrative)
Prague, Czech Republic
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

KIND OF an aside from photography, but beer figures mightily in to Czech culture.  Our last stop before our final destination on the train to Prague was nearby Pilsen, Czech Republic. Czechia's 4th largest city, what Pilsen is really known for is the uniquely Czech style lager beer that was first brewed there: Pilsner style Lager Beer. The largest Czech brewery (and the most popular Pilsner beer) is Pilsner Urquell. I am not a big beer guy, though I have certainly learned to enjoy the beer we have had in Europe, from Ireland, to Portugal, to Germany. And now - Czech Republic.  When I have enjoyed a "cold one" back in the U.S., one of my favorites has been the Canadian Lager, Labatt's Blue (which brands itself as a "Pilsner-style Lager." Some quick and dirty internet research tells me that a "Lager" beer is a particular brewing style, known as "bottom fermentation," which generally produces a smooth, light, crisp beer. Pilsner is, as noted above, a Czech-originated lager style beer whose characteristics are light, clear, smooth beer with a hoppy, but not bitter taste. Pilsners are generally between approximately 4 - 5% ABV. Labatt's Blue is 5%. Maybe I am onto something here.

ANYWAY, I always thought of Germany (and in particular, Bavaria) as the center of the world when it comes to beer. The Czechs would beg to differ, and they may well be correct. In spite of the hoopla surrounding Octoberfest, The statistics I found online suggest that the Czech Republic is the world's largest per capita beer consumer. And, it also appears that by a signicant margin, Pilsner style Lagers are the most popular in the world. I would caution that I am not an expert on beers, and that the word: "Pilsner" appears to sometimes be used imprecisely to define a "light-colored" version of Lager. Brewing beer has been in place for 100's of years, with evidence of brewing in Břevnov Monastery as far back as 993.  Pilsen and České Budějovice ("Budweis" in German), had breweries in the 13th century. When I am doing "after-visit" research on things we found and experienced, I always seem to learn a fascinating little tidbit. The "Budweiser" controversy in the in the sidebar is an interesting, if not humorous aside.

Below the bridge at street Level - Mala Strana; Prague, Czech Republic
Copyright Andy Richards 2024

BUT ENOUGH about beer. Getting back on the street, we walked down some stairs along the south side of The Charles Bridge to the part of Mala Strana that is under and below the bridge, down at river-level. We eventually arrived at a shop where we had some kind of cookie (it reminded me vaguely of the stroopwaffels we had in Rotterdam). This shop was near a prominent art center and we got our first view of the "peeing" men (we would return later, with our photography guide for a photo from a different perspective - and a better explanation of the significance of the sculpture). It was humourous and there were some "selfie-potential" photos that I did not attempt.😏 Our guide didn't really explain the significance of the sculpture. She did tell us that at times there were running fountains - but as you can see from the image below, they weren't running at the time we were there.

"Peeing Men" Sculpture - Prague, Czech Republic
Copyright Andy Richards 2024

I MAY have mentioned that we got some rain during this trip? 😏 We did see some relatively nice, sunny weather toward the end of the week, but this morning was more of the same. I would say that by the time we were in Prague, the rain was about a 50/50 proposition (so an improvement). Our walking tour ended at a sweet shop that was on the corner of our building - so convenient for us. That was just up the street from the western gate of the Charles bridge. The people standing there are actually on the "Old Town" side of the bridge, across from Mala Strana, where we ventured just briefly before returning to Mala Strana.

East entrance to The Charles Bridge; Prague, Czech Republic
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

WE WERE pretty tired after the tour, which ended probably around mid-afternoon. Having eaten at nearly every stop we made, we certainly weren't hungry for lunch, so we went back to our place and took a load off. Bruce and I had originally scheduled our time with the local pro photographer for that night, but he contacted me and noted that continued rain was predicted and we re-scheduled for the following night, which looked more promising. After some "down time," we found our way back the first restaurant and had a nice meal, and then we were pretty much in for the night. I was restless and feeling like I really hadn't had much chance to see the city) though the food tour did get us to some of it. I was determined that I was going to be up and out the next morning - whether anybody else was or not. Our next two days were more or less "unscheduled," though we did have a few places we wanted to see.

My New Year's Resolutions

I HAVE been hearing lately that most New Year's Resolutions are  broken by the second Friday following the New Year. Let's hope not, because if that is true, most of us just looked at our resolutions in the rear-view mirror. I think, though, that those remarks are mostly addressed toward the self-restraint and exercise side of things. Maybe if I restrict mine to photographic things, I will have a better chance of getting past Friday. 😎

TAKE LESS PHOTOS

HMMN. SEEMS like an odd one for a photographer. What I mean here is take less photos of the same subject (that are essentially duplicate photos). I have been dissatisfied with my "cataloging" process for my archived photographs for some time now. I have looked at a couple different DAM solutions, and tried a couple of them (including one that was supposed to make my life easier with its AI-based "find and label" capability - it didn't - it just gave me a headache). I finally decided my own best solution was comprehensive keywording (in the past, I have been haphazard about that). That process means I am basically going through my archives image-by image. Tedious, but necessary. One thing that jumps out at me is how many repetitive images I have in my archives. Where I went out to a site and made image after image (like maybe I was going to miss something)? I get that sometimes things are continuously changing and you really don't want to miss something. But mostly in my case - on review - these are essentially "in-camera-dupes." The late Jim Moore was one of the most influential mentors I have ever had. I remember him counseling me on this very thing. I took it to heart for a short time (much like those "only 'till Friday" resolutions above). In 2025, I want to make a concerted effort to make less images of a subject. Work the composition. Get the correct exposure. Maybe try something creative. But then move on to another compostion. Or another subject altogether.

BE MORE CREATIVE

I HAVE been reading and using the "stand in front of better stuff" quote a lot recently. I fully expect to continue doing that in 2025. The real question for me this year though, is what am I going to do with that "good stuff." I made some strides in 2024 (especially during the last few days of my central Europe trip) at making some more unique and creative images. While I am sure I will continue to take the "I was there" (hopefully iconic) shots, I do want to be more creative (more on that below). The though here is to spend some time in thought (when that is possible) and visualizing as scene/subject, and then tryhing to think outside the box with it. In some cases I am hoping for in camera results (like the moving train image, or unique camera position, or working with shutter speed and aperature). I also want to try unique compositions. Something that I have begun to do better, I think, is to visualize what kinds of creative things I might be able to do in post processing, and make some images accordingly.

I THINK that's enough. 😐 I would much rather make just a couple resolutions that I can keep in mind and really work on, that a laundry list that I might be successful on a couple of them. I have to keep in mind that these resolutions mostly apply to a a certain part of my photography - those ocassions when I am out for a dedicated shoot. My travel photography will mostly be bounded by what whatever groups I am traveling with are doing for an agenda. That is mostly fast-moving and though I make a lot of images, they are rarely as repetive as - say - the waterfall where I have me 30 shots from the same position. I need to try to think longer and shoot less on those kinds of shots (giving more credence to wind, proximity to things that I want in focus, and more "what would it look like if . . . " kinds of parameters). I will try to circle back to this in late 2025 and we will see how I did.

My Favorite Photos of 2024

 

Cherry Blossom lined street
Hakodate, Japan
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

CHOOSING FAVORITES has only gotten more difficult as my opportunities to shoot have increased. We have been fully retired now for nearly 6 years. Pre-retirement, we were going on at least one major trip a year, with some shorter and closer additional photographic outings for me. Since retirement in early 2019, we have substantially ramped that up.

Twin Moms - Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Tokyo, Japan
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

WE NOW usually do 2 to 3 major trips per year together, and I find ways to fit in my photographic trips too, when I can. I try to do at least one per year, but 2024 didn't work for a myriad of reasons - none of which are important here. I already have a GSMNP springtime photo trip scheduled for 2025, with two of my good photographer buddies. I am anticipating that. In addition, we are booked now, for 2 cruises in 2025. Since retirement, it has not been unusual for us to do two trips out of the country; either cruises, land-based, or both.

I stood in front of some really good "stuff" in 2024

2024 WAS no exception. In January, we cruised in the Caribbean. In April, we cruised around the main island of Japan (4 days in Tokyo and 14 days on a cruise ship). In September and October, we visited Central Europe for 15 days. I just checked my 2024 image archive folder and it contains well over 5,000 archived raw photos. No wonder picking favorites has become increasingly difficult. Acclaimed National Geographic contributing photographer, Jim Richardson is credited (there is no direct source for this quote that I have been able to find - but who cares: its good stuff!) with having once said: "If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of better stuff." Whether you wholly agree with the sentiment or not, I have to say, I stood in front of some really good stuff in 2024.

I WANT to qualify my use of the word: "favorite." My favorites may not be the ones that would "sell," or be chosen by viewers. It may not be the first up on my website. In one or two cases, this may be the first time they have appeared in "print" anywhere. What they mean to me is that as I reviewed my images for the year, something about these images stood out to me. I flagged them and then went back to see if I could cull them down somehow. The best I could do was 18.

Traditional Garb - Ikuta Shiinto Shrine
Kobe, Japan
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

BEGINNING WITH the first image (and they are not necessarily in any order), I planned with great anticipation to try to find some compelling cherry blossom images as we were there during the season in Japan. I made many photos with blossoms in the image, but not showcased in the way I had hoped. The closest - the image here - was made on a dreary, dingy day. Thank you, Photoshop. My resulting image was how I imagined it would look on a perfect day. The "Twin Moms" image was made during a vist to one of Japan's plentiful and beautiful gardens - this one in Tokyo. It was one of those "f8 and be there," serendipitous compositions where things just came together in front of me. I am amazed that I had the forethought to make the image, as it was obviously fleeting. Talk about repeating patterns.

Siriu-ji Shrine
Aomori, Japan
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

THE SHRINE shots were example of color and patterns that always grab me. When I was researching for my individual blog posts following the Japan trip, I wondered about that ubiquitous bright color that you will find everywhere in Japan. Not really red. Not really orange. But visually compelling to me. Vermillion. I even like the sound of the color.

picking favorites has become increasingly difficult

THERE WERE many great opportunities in Japan, but we made one stop in South wKorea (which I suspect had something to do with maritime laws and passenger taxes). I thought the harbor in Sokcho, South Korea was especially nice, and made a few images both daytime and night time, but the image from my archives that pulled at me was this canopy covered street in the downtown area.

Sokcho, South Korea
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

EARLIER IN the year, before our trip to Japan, I did get away for one afternoon to Florida's Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, about a 90 minute drive north of us. I haven't done much wildlife photography for many years, and my gear isn't really suited to that as a serious pursuit. On this trip, I accompanied my sister and brother in law who were visiting. It was the middle of the day and I didn't anticipate any really decent light, so I brought the "travel" gear (M 4/3) along. I had a consumer grade zoom that was equivalent to 300mm (35mm equivalent) and surprised myself by making a couple decent images. In post, the circular pattern of this one caught my eye.

Pink Flamingos - Homosassa Wildlife Park
Homossa, Florida
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

IN LATE September, we embarked on our much anticipated "Octoberfest" trip to Europe. We severeal days each in Zurich (with visits to Lucerne and the Alps), Munich (with a visit to the Bavarian Alps), Prague and Berlin. The theme of the trip was rain, unfortunately, but I still made a healthy batch of pictures during the 15 days we were abroad. The shot of the bridge with the castle in the background gives a feel of what it was like the day we were in Lucerne, and I am able to imagine what it might look like with nice light and a cotton-candy sky. Either way, it feels like a nice, moody, travel picture to me.

Lucerne, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

THE ICONIC shot in Lucerne is the 1th Century Kapell Brucke, a wooden footbridge Spanning the Ruess River. I made a few different images of the bridge. A couple were "nice." None really grabbed at me as a "favorite." The shot below was taken just next to the bridge.

Lucerne, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

I HAD some time to "kill" one morning while waiting for the group to get organized for our outing of the day. Our Central Plaza hotel could not have been more dead-smack in the middle of the city. It was not only very convenient, but was a major crossing hub for the very busy Zurich Tram system. One set of tracks went up a hill just behind our hotel, and the though had ocurred to me that I might be able to practice some panning.

Tram - Zurich, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS are familiar with the saying: "F8 and be there." For those who aren't it kind of means that sometimes being in the right time and place and semi-ready for anything that comes your way can yield some pretty spectacular photos. I guess I will let you be the judge of how "spectacular" or not, it is, but this was my favorite of a series of 8 or 10 images I was fortunate enough to "be there" for during our lunch stop in Interlaken, the day we visited the Swiss Alps.

Paragliders Landing in Interlaken, Switzerland
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

WE WERE in Zurich just during the time when an annual international bicycle race was being held. If we had more time and it was better planned, I would have dedicated a day and gone of by myself to shoot this event. As is was, we only learned about it just as we arrived. I got the impression that many of the Zurich natives felt it was a nuisance, but everybody appreciates that these events bring cities revenue. We were on a walking tour our first afternoon in Zurich, and we crossed a couple of turns on the race course. I got just a couple fleeting chances at some photos. Lighting and Lensing; I really wasn't prepared for shooting this kind of event. I didn't really have the equipment and I hadn't done any study of the light and environment of the race. Ironically my favorite image of the handful I got was not of the cyclists, but of the motorcycle escort.

KNOWING WE would be visiting the Bavarian Alps and particularly that we would have the Neuenschwanstein Castle on the itinerary, the shot below was clearly a check the box item for me. I knew there would be a shot like this of the castle, based on what I had seen published on the internet. What I didn't know was where I would need to go to make that shot. I did know there was a bridge somewhere near the castle that would yield a good shot. When we landed at the base of the castle where all roads let up the mountain, I learned from a map that the straightest and fasted route to the bridge was via a shuttle. I also had learned that there would be lines both at the shuttle and at the Bridge. We had been given time for lunch before we had tickets for the castle tour (let me just say that if you are a photographer and the weather is even slightly cooperative, don't waste your at the castle grounds or in the castle (it is a very abbreviated tour and no photographs are allowed inside). The bridge had a long line and it was probably about a 15-minute wait. Worth every minute. The bridge is a mob scene, but because it is perpendicular to the castle view, once you get on the bridge, you will have not issues getting a nice shot or two (or a few) - don't even think about a tripod though. Rain, once again, had been the theme of the day, but for just a few minutes while I was on the bridge, a little sun popped, giving me some nice lighting. Even though a "bucket list" icon kind of photo, I would probably print it and hang it on my wall if I still had my office.

Schloss Neuenshchwanstein - Bavaria, Germany
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

MUNICH YIELDED many photographs. Like so many European Cities, it is photogenic. Within the old city, probably my real favorite was an experiment from the "get go." I saw the busker in the picture below standing in front of a nondescript department store. There was really nothing about the setting that said "this would be a good representation of Munich." Indeed the shot could be any city anywhere in the world. In my mind I saw some potential. I knew as soon as I made the photo that I would have this on the screen in post-processing, doing something with it - probably some kind of vignette. And so I did. Certainly my favorite "city" image in Munich.

Munich, Germany
Copyright Andy Richards 2024 - All Rights Reserved

MUCH LIKE Munich, I found some really great photos in Berlin. The two that I clearly come away calling favorites don't necessarily demonstrate high quality photos (the night shot of the tram station was taken with my Samsung S21 smartphone). The do, however, evoke the emotion in me that they were at least among my favorite shots that I made in Berlin.