Let There Be Light, a photo from Prague, Bohemia

Photographer's Note

I was up early that day, 5 o'clock in the morning just to catch the first rays of the sun on the Charles Bridge in Prague, being alone without the massive tourist crowds present on the bridge during the day. Charles Bridge crosses the river Vltava and was commenced in 1357. The bridge is 515m long and 9.5m long. The photo was shot towards the old town with the silhouette of the medieval Old Town Bridge Tower just to the right slight off-centre. Immediately to the left of the tower is the early Baroque style Church of St. Salvator. The building with the big cupola is the Church of St. Francis of Serafin, also built in early and high Baroque styles. The white building overlapping the church is the Monastery of the Cross. In the distance to the farthest left are the spires of the Tyn Cathedral.

robiuk, elihesamian, weswang, Tue, jpages, MarekP, Signal-Womb, pamastro, aznegrao, Runs has marked this note useful

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paulartus (805) 2005-06-12 5:56

This is very similiar to one of my own except that I think there was at least one person in mine and the sun was from a different angle. Here you have been able to catch the warm glow of morning yet not lose any of the detail of the buildings. A very nice moment of solitude.

PixelTerror (0) 2005-06-12 6:19

Hej Christian,
You found the appropriate solution to fully enjoy this beautiful city !
I have never seen the bridge so empty, just a bird !!! The warm coloring of the side outlines the perspective and the fact the tower appears as silhouette carries a good sensation of mystery, I like it very much !
Have a nice sunday,
Jean-Yves

robiuk (10807) 2005-06-12 9:27

Now, this one really makes me book a flight to Prague just for a few shooting sessions, Christian!
Magnificant light, interesting composition where old-fashioned street lamps seem still to be lit!
You did a fantastic job with having this empty space in front of you and colouring it with this warm tones.
Congrats!
Robi

elihesamian (26149) 2005-06-12 11:59

The kind of light says it's morning time and you worked in the timme very well when we were at sleep:)
great perspective and a nice lines towards depth,i9n a great way composed and nice to see this part of the Prague.
well composed and thanks for sharing,Christian!
Best Regards
M

Tue (92514) 2005-06-12 17:23

Hi Christian,
Great early morning capture of this city, creates a great light that we don't see so often, very well done! :-D
Groetjes,
Lars

jpages (1670) 2005-06-12 19:31

Hi Christian,
The light is very softly, and creates a very nice atmosphere. The silhouettes of all the buildings are a perfect background for this view. I also like the aligned lamps and the lonely pigeon.
At the first moment, when I have seen it, I have thought... "Impossible!!! this bridge without any people???" and you did it! (the price... to get up so early!!!) but a good photographer has to do this kind of things. The word "Silence" comes to my mind looking at it.
Very well done and thanks for sharing it with us.
Best regards,
Jaume

weswang (18247) 2005-06-13 10:56

Hi Christian, A beautiful early in the morning facing the sunlight shot. I have tried many of the similar angle in the morning, I could not get the same contrast as you have in this picture. You have done a great job here. A nice shot and very clear. Well done.

jbweasle (9393) 2005-06-13 15:03

This is a lovely soft light, Christian. Nice composition with the tower at the "thirds" position and the walls of the bridge leading to it. Shame the sky is a little featureless. But the best bit is the lack of the tourist crowds - a very rare sight! Just a solitary bird - how very peaceful.

MarekP (4750) 2005-06-13 20:36

Hi Christian,
You deserve more than one smiley for getting up so early :-) Nice to see the Charles Bridge without people again. I used to see it so at least 20 years ago in late hours.

Thanks,
Marek

Signal-Womb (13048) 2005-06-14 12:44

Lovely warm tones to this Christian and nicely composed shot of this scene. Getting up early is always worth the effort, Iv never done it yet though. Very fine capture.

Regards Steve.

pamastro (7296) 2005-06-18 2:33

Wow, very early indeed. I always say I'd like to get up to see a sunrise but then I never can make myself get to bed early enough. And see here I am at 230 am my time so I won't be getting up for tomorrow's sunrise. So I only see it on those rare occasions where I have to get up so early.

It's a beautiful first light as it gives its glow to thoe bridge and air. The point of view and choice of the bridge to the gate has a welcoming feel. Here is the sunrise and here is the city greeting you. Well done.

Steft (6109) 2005-06-21 6:46

Good title. The photo is a bit dark, but the light fall beautifuly and the stones of the brigde and the glass of the lights. Nice architecture. Great work!

komzik (11) 2005-07-12 23:22 [Comment]

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wiko3 (504) 2005-07-23 8:51

excellent photo,The colours all blend nicely together, you took the photo at a good time of day.

alejandroguzman (4684) 2005-08-14 15:25

This lonely bridge with the amazing view in the background makes a wonderful picture.

And I also love the lonely bird at this time in the morning..... LOL

regards
alejandro

aznegrao (10316) 2006-04-19 18:01

Ola Christian!!!
Lindo lugar e composiзгo, gosto da sua sensibilidade de captar as formas e nuances e agrupa-las no lugar certo.
Уtimo trabalho.
Rgds.
Aznegrao.

Runs (1072) 2006-05-06 5:32

Hi Christian,

You're courageous to wake up so early. But this shot come not easily and you must catch it. Therefore, well done for this incredible scene and it was worth to wake up for it !

(sorry for bad english)
Cheers, Franзois