Here are some shots in and around our house at Lake Como in northern Italy over the last 2 weeks. All were shot with a 5DMkII and either 28/2.0 Zeiss ZF Distagon or a Contax/Zeiss 35-70/3.4 Vario Sonnar. Enjoy.
A 10 exposure pano from our upstairs patio looking north towards Menaggio (28/2.0):
Some hydrangeas in our garden (28/2.0):
Just a flower in our garden (35-70/3.4):
Sunrise from our bedroom window (35-70/3.4):
Storm clouds brewing over the Lake (35-70/3.4):
Varenna, just across the Lake on the east side (35-70/3.4):
Another view of Varenna (35-70/3.4):
Aside street in Menaggio (35-70/3.4):
Courtyard of the Nini Negri winery in Chuiro, Valtellina, near the Italian/Swiss border (35-70/3.4):
Iron fence to the boat house of Casa Ecco (Villa Moresi) owned by Mrs. Heinz (of the ketchup fame) just down the road from us (35-70/3.4):
Beautiful location and shots. Love the microcontrast and detail the zeiss lenses bring out.
Must be gorgeous there also in the winter with the snow peaked mountains.
Here is one from July 7th. taken in a small village in the mountains above Santa Maria Rezzonico, looking down at Lake Como, the tip of Bellagio and Lake Lecco. It was taken with the 35-70 just seconds before a massive hail storm:
I find the ZF 28 & 35-70 to be a matched & balanced set of lenses - the "DYNAMIC DUO" - I use that combination often. The 28 can offer some reasonable bokeh (for a 28mm) at 2.0 though the hydrangeas were probably stopped down a bit.
That set is very easy to enjoy - thanks for posting! That area must be really hard to photograph - AS IN - you can't wait to get your images up on a screen!
Lotusm50 wrote:
... I mean, how many American's can there be with homes on Lake Como -- or is the place just overrun with Americans?
Fortunately ... not a lot. However, Americans (as well as the British) have been attracted to the area for years. Mrs. Heinz (of the ketchup family) has real villa right down the road from us. Her place puts Clooney's to shame. Kings, Queens, and Presidents have all stayed at her villa. Old money vs. New money sort of thing, I guess.
fit ti be tied wrote:
Fortunately ... not a lot. However, Americans (as well as the British) have been attracted to the area for years. Mrs. Heinz (of the ketchup family) has real villa right down the road from us. Her place puts Clooney's to shame. Kings, Queens, and Presidents have all stayed at her villa. Old money vs. New money sort of thing, I guess.
It is indeed a lovely place, no doubt about it. I am jealous of Mr. Clooney, and it seems, of you. ;-) Good to hear that it hasn't been colonized by the colonials. Enjoy.
biotar wrote:
These are some mind blowing shots though. They are all rather "european" somehow. love the colours btw
Thank you. There is something about the colours and the light around the Lake that makes it very easy to get these sort of shots. (Other than getting up at sunrise.)
Lotusm50 wrote:
... Good to hear that it hasn't been colonized by the colonials.
True. But guess who are driving up the prices of the Lake-front/Lake-view properties?? The Russians! It seems that they have discovered the area and the wealthy ones need places to park their rubles, dollars, euros or whatever.
