Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Italy, this is a very small sample of the 900+ images I took while visiting. I have provided the basic information about the image and some input about how they were taken if necessary. This trip was a trial by fire since I only had the D70 for two months prior to departing.

Image #1: Burano Colorburst, Burano ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/14
Shutter: 1/250
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 18mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority

This shot was taken with a Hoya "Moose" warming polarizer attached to the lens.




Picture #2: Castel St. Angelo, Rome ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/14
Shutter: 25 sec.
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 25mm
Metering: Spot Metering
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority

This image was shot with a ND4 filter attached in order to prolong the exposure and ghost out most of the people on the pedestrian bridge. This image was taken at around 9:50 at night and there was a ton of people walking on the bridge. The items in the front, right, foreground are the belongings of the ubiquitous purse sellers you find all over Europe's major cities.




Picture #3: Greek Laocoon Sculpture, Vatican Museum, Rome ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/4
Shutter: 1/60 sec.
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 25mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Normal

This is the sculpture that has inspired many an artists with the most famous being Michelangelo Buonorotti. Look at his David in Florence or the Sistine Chapel ceiling and you will see the influence.




Picture #4: Pieta by Michelangelo in St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/13 sec.
ISO: 500
Focal Length: 65mm
Metering: Center Weighted Metering
Exposure Program: Normal

It is hard to believe someone could create such a masterpiece by the age of 24 but leave it to Michelangelo. What is even harder to believe is that someone would take a hammer to this treasure, it now resides behind one inch or so of bullet-proof glass, making quality picture taking that much more difficult. The reflection of the window to the left of Mary is from a window behind and above me in the nave, sorry, it was the best I could do.




Picture #5: St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City, Rome ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/3.5
Shutter: 1/10 sec.
ISO: 500
Focal Length: 18mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Normal

This picture is looking down the nave in St. Peters Basilica. The wife and I decided to go to the 5:00 PM mass on a Sunday and there was hardly anyone there. The only dissappointment I have with this picture is the flare at the center top between the two lights, I am very pleased with the rest. This church is HUGE, it has a capacity of 95,000 people standing. Even a non-religious person can not help but be in awe of this beautiful structure.




Picture #6: Trevi Fountain, Rome ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/10
Shutter: 1/320 sec.
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 18mm
Metering: Spot Metering
Exposure Program: Normal

This beautiful Baroque fountain is fed by the ancient underground aquaducts which brings water from the surrounding mountains all the way into Rome. The water leaves the Trevi Fountain and continues underground to Four Rivers Fountain by Bernini in the Piazza Navona. Toss a coin and you will return to Rome someday.




Picture #7: David in Bronze by Verrochio in the Bargello Museum, Florence ITALY

Nikon D70 with Nikon 50mm f/1.8D
Aperture: f/3.2
Shutter: 1/320 sec.
ISO: 320
Focal Length: 50mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Normal

There was something about the way his eyes looked at me, I had to try and capture the confidence in them. I made sure to focus directly on the statues eyes and let everything else do as it may. I am very pleased with how it turned out.



Hope everyone liked the pictures, again, sorry they are not MINI related but I am officially back into photography again. Next purchase, hopefully by Christmas, will be a Nikon 70-200 AF-S VR Zoom.


Cheers,

Jason

 

Awesome. Great job all the way around. I'd definitely be interested in seeing more.


That's easily my favorite lens. You won't be disappointed.

 

Excellent photos...well done! I've often told people that if you're in Rome and you want to see God, forget the Vatican......hit the Gelati stands!!!!

(no offense intended...I'm Catholic)

AND........(btw)............I just exceed 4K posts! Oh yeah!!!

 

You will get NO argument whatsoever from me with the Gelati. I could tell you where the best gelati is in every city we have gone to the last two trips to Italy, if anyone wants to know!!!! Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como (Varenna), Milan, Assisi, Siena, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Murano, Burano, Verona, Alpe Di Siusi (Dolomites), Pisa, Lucca, and Orvieto.

Remember, the first step in gelati recovery is admitting you have a problem.

I just don't want to kick the addiction yet though. If you have never had gelati in Italy, you just can't understand!

jason

 

Outstanding photos! Wow.

 

I really do like 5. I probably would have caught it from a different angle but it's just stunning. What would be great is if you could get a longer exposure and get some more movement out of the people.

All around some fantastic shots. Really well done.

 

I would have loved to get a longer exposure in St. Peters but tripods and monopods are strictly forbidden. Didn't want to **** off the plain clothes Swiss Guards wandering around. I agree with you, a longer exposure would have been better, but handheld was my only choice.

Just curious, I respect your photographic eye very much, what angle would you have tried to get?

Thanks,

Jason

 

I've done television in St. Peter's...all around the cornice is a six to eight foot wide ledge crammed w/ lighting. They only turn them on for special occasions but boy does that place sparkle under the tons of warmer light. Stunning!

btw, I've always been glad gelati is kept over in Italy because I'd be seriously addicted otherwise. I agree wholeheartedly...gelati in Italy is a absolutely the best. Maybe it's the gelati...maybe it's the place. Either way it's magic.

 

Here are a few more shots from the Italy trip; I feel these aren't quite as food as the last ones but they are still nice.

Picture #1: Siena Campo, Siena ITALY

This was taken from the observation tower of the Duomo museum looking down on the campo. This is the place where Siena's famous Palio race takes place.
Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/13
Shutter: 1/80
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 35mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority




Picture #2: St. Peter's Square Obelisk, Vatican City ITALY

This was my first attepmt at Forced Perspective. The lamp post in the foreground is about 20 feet tall and the obelisk in the background towers to 80 feet. I feel it turned out nicely.

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter: 1/200
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 27mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority




Picture #3: Close-Up of Laocoon Torso, Vatican Museum, ITALY

I love how this one accentuates the smoothness of the marble yet the musculature of the ribcage and abdomen convey tremendous stregth.

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-5.6 AF-S
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/60
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 70mm
Metering: Pattern Metering
Exposure Program: Normal




Hope you like, thoughts welcome please.

Jason

 

Fantastico, multa bella obra Jason. Che bella Italia.

 

#5 is my favorite, great job! Those are all nice shots.