Threshold of Earth – The sun rises through the Torii

Threshold of Earth.

Threshold of Earth. A part of the study of the connection between the Torii and the natural elements which surround it. The Torii is an iconic japanese structure belonging to Shinto shrines, in other words it’s a gate that represents the passage from the secular world to a sacred one. In this photograph I’ve aligned the rising sun and the Torii with the intent of representing this one as a threshold of a passage that connects our world with the sun, one of the most sacred natural elements, that gives life to our planet and venerated by human being since the dawn of history.
This photograph required some of planning. I wanted to align the rising sun with the Torii, positioning the latter at the same time at an angle of 45 degrees. As a result, the two opposite pillars of the gate would have pointed directly the sun. In order to obtain this “construction”, I made use of a useful smartphone’s app which keeps track of the ephemeris and the relative position of the stars in relation to the photographer’s point of shooting. The app has simplified this planning significantly, reducing at the same time the chance of failure. After that, the shoot and the subsequent post processing have been fairly straighforward: essentially, it’s a simple silhouette which required some adjustments in contrast and color, plus a crop to my taste to modify the aspect ratio of the image, making it appear wider.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Pentax HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
Focal lenght: 36mm
Shutter time: 1/1000 s
Aperture: F/9
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

This photograph has been awarded with a nomination in the 2017 edition of the Fine Art Photography Awards: Crossing the threshold of Earth” – Category Open Theme

 

Illusion of time – Long exposure of a Japanese Torii at dusk

The illusion of time.

The illusion of time. Another part of the study of the connection between the Torii and the natural elements which surround it. The Torii is an iconic japanese structure belonging to Shinto shrines, it’s a gate that represents the passage from the secular world to a sacred one. In this photograph I’ve took advantage of the soft light of a cloudy day and, by capturing the scene after the sunset using a long exposure, I tried to convey a sense of stillness: the boundaries between the water and the sky almost disappear, leaving the Torii and the distant mountains in an undefined space, untied from the flow of time.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
Focal lenght: 10mm
Shutter time: 111 s
Aperture: F/5.6
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

Note that this photograph has been awarded with a Nominee at the 2018 edition of FAPA Fine Art Photography Awards

 

 

Gate to eternity – Japanese Torii during sunrise

Gate to eternity.

Gate to eternity. Another part of the study of the connection between the Torii and the natural elements which surround it. The Torii is an iconic japanese structure belonging to Shinto shrines, it’s a gate that represents the passage from the secular world to a sacred one. In this photograph I’ve composed a scene in which the Torii can symbolize the doorway to the light, source of life and joy diffused on our world by the sun.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Samyang 16mm f/2,0 ED AS UMC CS
Focal lenght: 16mm
Shutter time: 46 s
Aperture: F/9
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

Note that a black and white version of this photograph has been awarded with two Honorable Mentions at the 2012 edition of ND Awards: “Gate to eternity” – Category Special/Long Exposure + Category Fine Art/Landscapes

 

Gate to the stars – Japanese Torii during the Blue Hour

Gate to the stars.

Gate to the stars. A study of the connection between the Torii and the natural elements which surround it. The Torii is an iconic japanese structure belonging to Shinto shrines, it’s a gate that represents the passage from the secular world to a sacred one. In this photograph I’ve composed a scene in which the Torii can symbolize the boundary between night and day, a moment in time that allows to see our world together with the stars above it.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Samyang 16mm f/2,0 ED AS UMC CS
Focal lenght: 16mm
Shutter time: 5 s
Aperture: F/4
Sensitivity: ISO200

 

Mirage of Venice during a painterly sunset in spring

Mirage of Venice at sunset.

Mirage of Venice at sunset in spring. In the picture are clearly visible the Bell Tower of San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, the domes of San Marco Basilica and the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront. The hot, humid and partially cloudy afternoon produced a unique atmosphere, made of painterly and subtle colors, beautiful bursts of light above the clouds and a sense of dreamy stillness.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: SMC DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM
Focal lenght: 50mm
Shutter time: 2.5 s
Aperture: F/8
Sensitivity: ISO100

The punic pool – Reflections on an ancient punic quarry at sunset

The punic pool. Sunset over the south western coast of Sardinia, Italy.

Sunset over the south western coast of Sardinia. Where once was a quarry of the Punic age, now the perfectly still water reflects the sky and the colors of the sunset.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Samyang 16mm f/2,0 ED AS UMC CS
Focal lenght: 16mm
Shutter time: 3 s
Aperture: F/7.1
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

 

Corsair’s mirror – Sunset over the western coast of Sardinia

Corsair’s mirror. Sunset over the western coast of Sardinia, Italy.

Corsair’s mirror. Sunset over the western coast of Sardinia. In this photograph I’ve played with the opposites: the emptiness of the sky with the richness of the foreground; the intersection between the harshness of the rocks and the clean stillness of the water of the puddle within.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Samyang 16mm f/2,0 ED AS UMC CS
Focal lenght: 16mm
Shutter time: 4 s
Aperture: F/8
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

 

Green lake reflections – Panoramic view of Lake Tovel

Green lake reflections. Lake Tovel, northern Italy.

A panoramic view of the lake Tovel and the surrounding mountains, in northern Italy. This image is a panorama made of 4 shots in portrait orientation. since the overcast caused quite some high contrast in the scene, every piece of the panorama has been captured overexposed and then underexposed, to be blended in order to recover the entire dynamic range.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Samyang 16mm f/2,0 ED AS UMC CS
Focal lenght: 16mm
Shutter time: 1/160 s
Aperture: F/6.3
Sensitivity: ISO100

 

 

Complementarity

Complementarity: A seascape of Capo Pecora in Sardinia during twilight. Italy.

The twilight on Capo Pecora, Sardinia, changed the landscape amazingly: the golden halo of sunlight decreased and the sky darkened, becoming deep blue. In that moment the lower sides of the clouds turned purple, painting a mesmerizing canvas above the sea; part of those vibrant hues mirrored on the almost still water of the cove. I was in an estathic wonder, practically hypnotized by such an amazing sight; nonetheless I seized the opportunity to capture it to the best of my ability.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
Focal lenght: 10mm
Shutter time: 118 s
Aperture: F/5.6
Sensitivity: ISO100
 

You can find the full blog post about this photographic experience at the following page: Seascapes in Sardinia: Sunset at Capo Pecora

The photograph Complementarity belongs to the award-winning series of the ND Awards 2017: “Study of seascape at sunset” – Category Seascapes/Waterscapes
 

 

Ephemeral

Ephemeral: A seascape of Capo Pecora in Sardinia during the sunset. Italy.

As the sun was disappearing below the horizon, the gradient of colors in the sky became more vibrant: the intense golden light around the sun, opposed to the cold tones of magenta and blue up in the sky, produced and ephemeral and amazing vision which turned the cove of Capo Pecora and its rough-edged rocks in an otherworldly scenery.

EXIF:
Camera: Pentax K-3
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
Focal lenght: 20mm
Shutter time: 66 s
Aperture: F/5.6
Sensitivity: ISO100
 

You can find the full blog post about this photographic experience at the following page: Seascapes in Sardinia: Sunset at Capo Pecora

This photograph belongs to the award-winning series of the ND Awards 2017: “Study of seascape at sunset” – Category Seascapes/Waterscapes
 

 

phoclab by Claudio Beffa © 2012-2021 All rights reserved - Privacy & Cookie Policy