Around Hohenfels: A Bite of Munich

Welcome back to Hohenfels Volks, THE place for our place! Time for another trip!

Get your camera and train tickets, we’re heading out to see part of Munich.

Munich, like a formal meal, is large, and should be taken in single bites, rather than gulped down in a hurry. Therefore, we’re going to cover it that way, with today’s trip being to the Residenz. We’ll have a little time to hit the Hofbrauhaus, and wander through the gardens, but we’re going to get some exposure in the palace itself more than anything else.


ISO 100, f/4, 1/5
An Angel of the Tribulation, from the Antiquarium in Munich

From the Bahnhof, take the u-bahn to Odeonsplatz. From there, it’s a short walk through to the Residenz. Once you’re there, there are some nice cafés and places to grab a quick brunch and relax before beginning a tour through the palace.

Inside, you’ll be transported to another time. Wandering through this magnificent palace gives you a taste of how life was lived and how the royalty of the era enjoyed the excesses that were their privilege.

In the late 1300’s, the first palace or structure was built here. Later a new fortress was built here for the Wittlesbach dukes. As time progressed through several centuries, the site and building grew outward and incorporated tastes and styles of the time, including the Gothic base, and Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo art and architecture.

The Antiquarium was built in 1571. It was basically a home for the antique collection and is the largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps. The court chapel and imperial hall, as well as several others, are common examples of the early 17th century. The baroque papal rooms and the ancestral gallery serve as good examples of the Rococo style.


ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/10
The Antiquarium in Munich Residenz. You can even sit here and read.

After the tour of the palace itself, there is the treasury. For anyone who loves artistic presentations and historical displays, this is the place! They have the crown of the Empress Cunigunde, as well as a reliquary of the cross, which belonged to Emperor Henry II. They also have a gold crown from 1370 that is the oldest surviving crown of England and the famous ruby decorated statue of St George slaying the dragon.


ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/8
The crown of the English Queen, from around 1370. It appears to be the dowry from the King of England on the marriage of his daughter.

The Hofgarten outside is incredible, especially in early summer. The gazebos and structures combine with walkways and flowers to make for a memorable sight. Bring a blanket and have a picnic. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon! Don’t forget to tip the buskers serenading you with their accordions and violins.

A couple of blocks away is the Hofbrauhaus, where you can get dinner and a nice beer before you catch the train home. Back to Odeonsplatz, then the bahnhof and we’re again on our way. Safely back home, we can view the magnificent shots we took and share them with those who weren’t fortunate enough to join our journey!

Throughout the tours are great opportunities for your camera to bring home memories, but don’t use your flash in the treasury or palace, it’s not allowed and you will be kicked out! Make sure to shoot manual, as you’re likely to get more winners that way.

Remember to get your vote in and to get started on your pics for this week’s theme, blurring the lines. A tip for this theme, when you’re creating your image, use blur to emphasize the way we as a society blur the lines in our day-to-day lives. It can create a real enhancement to your scene if used right!

Don’t forget to post any of your images you’d like to see here at the Hohenfels Volks Facebook page and to get your vote in for next week’s theme. Of course, commenting on both Facebook and here is always appreciated, too!

Around Hohenfels- Bamberg

Hello, Volks, welcome to Hohenfels Volks. Another weekend is rolling into Hohenfels, bringing cold, frost, and icy fog. I hope you’re staying warm and getting some great pics.

Today we’re traveling to Bamberg. Located on the Regnitz River, and near the Main River, this city is full of great sights and history. If you bring your camera, you’re almost guaranteed to bring back a winner!

The town started attracting notice about 902, and was under the authority of the Diocese of Würzburg. In about 1007, it became independent and for a while was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire.

Some of the sights to see are:
The Cathedral, which contains the tombs of emperor Henry II and Pope Clement II
The new Residenz, where the Bishops resided during the 17th century
The Old Town Hall built right in the middle of the Regnitz River
"Little Venice" which is a colony of cool old fishermen houses from the 19th century
Michaelsberg Abbey, which is no longer an abbey
Altenburg castle, a former residence of the bishops.

The Old Rathaus is very interesting to note, as it is smack in the middle of the river. It also cool because along the outsides of the building, statues and paintings seems to merge and come alive, as seen below.


ISO 400, 1/100, f/8
The statues in the wall seem to be coming out and alive!


ISO 400, 1/400, f/8
Dead in the middle of the river!

The cathedral is an amazing piece of work, and features the tombs of the Emperor, his wife, and Pope Clement II. The Gothic architecture and art are worth the time you spend in here. Removing many of the non-Gothic pieces to St Michaelsberg during the purification of the Dom back to its Gothic styling, allowed the church to maintain its original Gothic feel. Another feature of the cathedral is the “Bamberg Ritter,” a statue on one of the columns in the church. No one really knows who it is, but it serves as the symbol of the city. Make sure you bring a flash or 2, and shoot a little higher ISO to get the image that you want!


ISO 1600, 1/60, f/5.6
The Bamberg Ritter and surrounding features

Michaelsberg Abbey, on one the hills, presents an amazing view from below, and is even more impressive inside. The monastery is now a retirement home, restaurant, and brewery, but the church remains in use. This church is unusual and very impressive. It contains numerous skull, death, and skeleton statues and carvings, including one blowing bubbles! There are medicinal plants and herbs painted all along the high vaulted ceilings, as well. Inside you will find the Holy Grave Chapel, featuring a tomb for Jesus and other statuary throughout the small space. It’s amazing! You can touch the tomb of St Otto, and if you walk through it, they say your back pains will go away.


ISO 1600, 1/30, f/5.6
A tomb or marker of one of the bishops from the 30 years war, unusual style for a church!

I know this city, with its Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles will provide you with enough photos to make it more than an ordinary day out! Remember to share your pics and post your questions at the Hohenfels Volks Facebook page, and or by commenting here!

Around Hohenfels- Landshut

Greetings from Hohenfels! Welcome back Volks, to another Around Hohenfels.

This time we’re going to take a little trip to Landshut. This is a great little city about 60Km from Munich on the Isar River located on the foothills of the Alps. The town was founded in the 1200s, and became the capital of lower Bavaria. It is the home to the first Renaissance palace north of the Alps.

Trausnitz Castle is one of the main points of interest in the town. It’s been there since the early part of the 13th century. For some time it was the source of the town’s protection and later became a palace. Built on a hill overlooking the town, the view is wonderful, and the courtyard and palace make for some great photo opportunities. It’s used now for tourism, and even more importantly, for part of the Landshuter Hochzeit.


BurgTrausnitz, as seen from the Goldenne Sonne Hotel
ISO 100, 1/150, f/8

The Landshuter Hochzeit is a re-enactment of the wedding of Prince George of Bavaria to Princess Hedwig from Poland in 1475. This event takes place every 4 years. The next one is scheduled for June and July 2013. Tickets are usually available for 6 months or so before the event, so look for them in December 2012. The main tourist event of Landshut, it draws over 100,000 visitors, and involves over 2000 local persons re-enacting the different roles of the time. Some of the highlights include; jousting tournaments, camp games involving medieval events, a huge parade, and other shows throughout the summer weekends. Definitely not to be missed.


The "Princess" arrives
ISO 200, f/8, 1/250

Another tourist site is the Landshut residence. This Renaissance palace in the town itself was built in about 1540, and was the first of its type North of the Alps.

Landshut has a slew of Gothic architecture and styles throughout the town, including Trausnitz Castle the Church of St Martin. St Martin’s has the worlds tallest brick tower, and is majestic, inside and out. Then there is the Old Town Hall, with its splendid rooms and stage, where dances and court life is recreated during the Hochzeit. Another great site is the Landtor, remains the old medieval walls.


Sunset over St. Martin's
ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/20

Examples of Baroque and Renaissance art and architecture are abundant as well, including the Jesuit church and the Dominican church as well.

A must see is the Isar river. Don’t take a trip here without a stop and some time to view and wander the banks.

The day can pass quickly when visiting, so make sure you either stay at a hotel in town, or schedule time to come back! It’s a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left. With all the great photos you’ll be taking, memories of this little gem will always be a fingertip from being re-kindled! Check out the town’s website at Landshut Tourism.


I'll leave you with this shot of an alley into a restaurant.
ISO 200, f/5, 1/15

Here's hoping you make to Landshut, and get some great pics. If you do, let us see by posting at the Hohenfels Volks Facebook page.

Remember; leave your comments and questions here and on our Facebook pages, also.

Enjoy the week ahead, and keep shooting the gems in your viewfinder!

Around Hohenfels

Welcome to another Hohenfels Volks post.

“Location, location, location!” It’s something we hear all the time, in the movies, television, news, it’s an old saying that seems to be everywhere around us. In photography, the saying should be “Light, light, light!” Our medium requires light to work. However, like most things, just having light isn’t enough.

We’re going to talk about light in another post, which is why I led off with the location quote. Today, we’re talking about an excellent location for photographers! Hohenfels seems to be perfectly located for quick access to so many places. Bayreuth is no exception. Guess where we’re going.

Bayreuth is a city in Bavaria and is located north of Hohenfels and Amberg. It takes about 2 hours by train to get there. That includes a stop in Nuremberg. The city is home to quite a few historic sites and buildings, which provides an incredible array of photographic choices. Let’s mention a few and some of the challenges and nice things about shooting there.

First stop, the Opera House. It was built between 1744 and 1748 for Margravine Wilhelmine, sister of Frederick the Great. She composed music and created much of what is the beauty of Bayreuth. The details are incredible, the splendor and glory here just blow the mind! For the photographer to work here, an off camera flash or two, high ISOs, and wide apertures are very important. Shooting with one remotely triggered flash and an ISO of 1600 resulted in this image.


The Margravine's Opera Box
1/60 f/3.5 ISO 1600

Bayreuth is famous for its association with Wagner, the great German composer. They host a Wagner festival annually. His house is a lovely place for some photos, with great blocks, gardens, tomb, and ivy covered walls nearby! A great place for some truly nice outdoor shots at lower ISOs, and with some light cloud cover, you have a natural soft box to make for some pretty light!

The last place on this visit is the New Palace. Although the inside is incredible, photography isn’t allowed in the actual palace. The entry museums allow photography, though. The best shots here are to be had in the Palace Garden. With a lake through the middle, and rows of tree-covered paths, this is a place to recharge, and practice your shooting skills. The trees can make for challenging light, but knowing your settings and visualizing your shots can make for something great.


Placing the island just a touch higher than the middle of the frame, and allowing the lake shore to converge created a nice composition and created some depth. Turning my circular polarizer to allow the sky to reflect in the lake added a bit of light and balance.
1/60 f/8 ISO 400

There are more great places in Bayreuth. The king of them all is the Hermitage, but with all the photographic opportunities there, that’ll have wait for another post.

Bayreuth, definitely a place for the photographer in all of us! Give it a visit and you’ll be back for more!

Don't forget to leave a comment. Post your questions to our Hohenfels Volks Photo Club Facebook page.

Wishing you a great evening!