Antwerp, Belgium – Photographs

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Steven

I am discovering new and fascinating things about the evolution, of both my travel philosophy and my photography… While I still believe that visiting the “iconic” landmarks is important..

I am finding myself wandering through the lesser known avenues of a city more and more.. Sure, I still make time to see the well known touristy locations.. I mean, can you really go to Antwerp and NOT see the Cathedral of our Lady?

or the Medieval Fort, Het Steen, along the river?

But, let’s be honest here, I travel for a couple of reasons.. exploration of new places and cultures AND taking photos that can be sold as prints for my fine art gallery, travel and blog articles and expanding my portfolio …

Ok, so I am doing a bit of self-promotion..there is nothing wrong with that..I mean, after all, who else is going to promote my work..

Anyway..back to Antwerp.. We originally started this trip in Amsterdam. The trip by rail to Antwerp varies depending on which train system you use.. Thalys is the high speed international train and runs direct from Schipol to Antwerp in about an hour and 15 minutes..

The Intercity train leaves every hour, is only a slightly longer ride (2 hrs) and is less expensive. This is the train we took.. These tickets can be bought at the Central Train Station in Amsterdam or the station at Schipol Airport.. Be aware that there is a connection in Rotterdam for this choice..

Trust me.. the train is a lot better than it looks from the outside. It is clean inside, the seats are wide and comfortable and have a fold down tray..

Either way, you arrive in Antwerp and the Central Train Station.. seems to be a theme in Europe.. the main train station is almost called “Central” …

This is a big, beautiful, and sprawling train station… and you can easily spend an hour here just taking photos.. so grab a 2 Euro Belgian waffle and explore a bit.. It’s well worth it.

It is a long leisurely walk from here to the center.. but you will pass through the diamond district, parks.. see churches and galleries…shopping galore..on your way. Exploration is a good thing..

The center square is where you will find the Cathedral of our Lady.. numerous restaurants, and chocolate shops.. Belgian row houses, statues and monuments

But my favorite places are the back streets.. narrow, cobblestoned and virtually deserted..which is a shame. There are myriads of quaint little shops featuring hand made items, food and beer… Not too mention, almost no people. These are where my favorite photos come from.. daytime, black and white..

or in color

Hidden gems and colorful graffiti around every corner..

Nightime shots, crafted in black and white, and my weird digitally manipulated art are my absolute dream photos..

Sometimes, as above, they are added to the sales gallery… some are sellable but more just for fun.. 🙂

Antwerp, Belgium.. a great city to explore..a beautiful city to photograph..

HAPPY TRAVELS!!

Traveling as a Lifestyle

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Steven

I never realized how much fun traveling can be.. exciting… mind-bending.. enlightening..

I worked for almost 30 years as an electrician in the USA, mostly in Colorado, but all over really.. I did what most employed people in the States do.. I worked for a whole year waiting to accrue that coveted week-long (sometimes 2) reprieve and get out and go somewhere on vacation. These trips could be as far as the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or as close as the next city. Anything and anywhere as long as I was not at work..

Then an amazing thing happened.. I decided to broaden my horizons.. I decided to take a chance. I decided to explore. Damn the economy..full speed ahead..

I applied for and was hired by a contract company doing maintenance work overseas..at US Embassies, of all places, with a 2 year contract that could be extended up to 2 more years before you have to move to another post.. Currently, I am in Kyiv, Ukraine and having the time of my life..

Andrew’s Descent

It is an easy city to fly in and out of from Boryspil International airport and, for the past 3 1/2 years, cities in Europe (with the occasional trip to Turkey or the UAE) have been calling me almost monthly..

There are 196 countries in the world…unless of course you don’t include Tawain.. some countries do and some don’t..so let’s just include for grins.. That’s 196.. at one vacation a year to a new country..well, do the math..That’s right – 196 years to see them all..

As a US citizen and passport holder, I can visit 174 of them either without a visa or a visa upon arrival. It’s actually a little more complicated than that and over time, I will try to explain all the differences..

But for now.. just think..174 countries.. Right now, I am averaging a new country/city a month.. short trips of 3 – 5 days every month.. That’s still 14 years to see all of them.

Parliment Building in Budapest, Hungary from the south side of the river.

Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary from the south side of the river.

14 years!

Of course, living in Ukraine is a treat as well..and exploring this wonderful and beautiful country is an experience unto itself.. If no “out of country experience” presents itself, I spend weekends strolling through Kyiv or one of the myriad of historic sites in the vicinity.. Babi Yar is here.. Bykivnia Gravesites.. some of the oldest churches in Europe are here..

St. Sophia’s

St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery and Mykhailivska Square

My world view has changed… my prejudices are disappearing… Maybe eventually those will be gone completely.

For now.. Rome awaits (2nd time to Rome)…this time with a side trip to Florence and Pisa.. My photography skills have improved so maybe this time the photos will do it justice..

Happy Travels!!

PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART

My Favorite Doors – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Steven

Time again for my favorite doors…different city of course, but same general theme

This red door and brick wall combination might be my favorite of all time.. but there was quite the variety in Amsterdam..

Some of these were good enough to make it to the Fine Art America website…where you can find copies of your favorites too..Just in time for the holiday season..

Classical, metal, wooden and covered with graffiti and stickers.. Variety abounds

Happy Travels!!

Photography as Art

Canals of Amsterdam

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Steven

Amsterdam…City of canals, boats and bicycles..

Last week found us strolling along the many canals of this beautiful city.. I honestly do not think I have ever seen so many bikes in my life.. But I came to see the waterways.. the myriad of canal houses..

Churches and clock towers adorned the small squares … people and bikes crowed the bridges and sidewalks..

The weather was pleasant…the crowds abundant

A wonderful city .. definitely worth a dding to your personal bucket list…

Happy Travels!

PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART

Feofaniya Park – Kyiv

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Steven

Autumn is here.. given color by the changing leaves.. and one of the prettiest places to see these in Kyiv, Ukraine is Feofaniya Park..

Located in the suburbs of the southern part of the city and easily reached by marshutka..

Brick pathways wind through this 1.5 sq km park

A couple small lakes with a gazebo sit waiting

And St. Pantelemion’s Cathedral stands watch over all

A great place to unwind from the hectic days in the city.. or just sit back and look at the wonderful show delivered by the coming of autumn..

Happy Travels!

Favorite Doors – Riga, Latvia

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Steven

It is impossible for me to visit anywhere without shooting some doors..and, besides Tallinn, Estonia, Riga had had some of the most diverse I have seen..

From old and faded with age…

to stunning…

Wonderful shapes and colors….

Impressive stone and wood work..

Plants and Ivy

and, needless to say, graffiti and posters ..

I was in heaven… and while not technically a door..next shot is just cool.. and door related 🙂

and finally..

What’s around the next corner? Up the next street? Something interesting, I bet …

Stay Tuned and Happy Travels!!

Photography as Art Travel with Steve

Side Streets – Riga

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Steven

I love to walk the cobblestone side streets and back alleys… especially in the early morning when no one is out..or at least, very few people.. There always seems to be the straggling partier from the night before..

The streets are quiet..almost lonely

I meander aimlessly through the narrow lanes…

It’s a great time to shoot doors and windows..

or wander into hidden courtyards that are often dead-ends..

Always something pretty.. always something interesting ..

sometimes classic..sometimes funny..

But always something new.. around the corner.. up the next street..

Later this week, we will take a look at some of the landmarks and churches.. stay tuned

and always ……… HAPPY TRAVELS!!

Photography as Art Travel with Steve

Riga, Latvia – Parks Galore

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Steven

I thought I would start stepping away from talking about a city’s landmarks.. When you search online for any city, there will be 1000 pages talking about the iconic landmarks and photos taken from every angle. Now don’t get me wrong..I love to see the landmarks..the sites that make a city famous..the churches and parliament buildings..the museums.. and I love to photograph them as well…

But I also look for places the locals hang out.. and in most cities, especially in warmer weather, that means the parks.. the green spaces..

and in Riga, that means along the canal..

Parks like Kronvalda and Bastion Hill … sitting on benches among the flowers and fountains in front of the National Theater

There are stone and wooden pedestrian bridges

Shady lanes and broad sidewalks

and, even, boat tours along the Riga Canal..

Parks and green space in Riga cover more than 30 hectares.. the fall colors were just beginning in September, and I can imagine the beauty of the changing leaves

So take the time to see the “Old Town” center.. experience the bars, restaurants, and all the wonderful and historic sights.. But spend a little time walking through the beautiful parks and shaded lanes too.. You will be glad you did..

Next we’ll take a little trip through the side streets and back alleys of Riga… stay tuned 🙂

Happy Travels!!

Photography as Art Travel with Steve

BK3 – Abandonded Brickyard

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Steven

About 25 km northwest of Kiev, you will find the village of Irpin, Ukraine and for the adventurous, and those willing to hike a bit, you can make your way to an abandoned brick works in the center of town..

It is surrounded by a fence, of course, but there are ways in.. one way is through the glass recycle yard..

Mounds of broken glass, which appeared to be mostly liquor and medical bottles fill an abandoned bridge, where they are separated, ground up and shipped off to places unknown.

The brick works is full of interesting buildings, that are remarkably free of trash..

Possibly because the 2 existing businesses occupying the territory, the glass recycling and a working cement plant, don’t like or encourage “visitors”. Still with no visible “No Entry” signs, we decided to take our chances..

As always, when visiting abandoned places, it is important to remember the Golden Rule –

TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES – LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS

Travel with Steve Photography as Art

Happy Travels!

Kyiv Fortress – Kyiv, Ukraine

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Steven

The Kyiv Fortress is a generic name given to structures located throughout the city of Kyiv.. They used to be a series of of fortifications part of and known as the Western Russian Fortresses in the early to mid 19th century.

Some of the buildings have been converted to a museum known as the Kyiv Fortress complex that includes the military hospital fort and a smaller fort on Bald Mountain from the1872. Other buildings are still in use by the military or commercial industries..

Aside from being a nice historical place to visit, there are also nice views of the stadium and the city beyond from the fort’s perch atop the hill.

Travel with Steve Photography as Art

Fine Art Prints, Postcards, Travel Photos

HAPPY TRAVELS!!

Aren't We All Just Tourists Here?

One City at a Time

Category Archives: Photography

Antwerp, Belgium – Photographs

Traveling as a Lifestyle

My Favorite Doors – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canals of Amsterdam

Feofaniya Park – Kyiv

Favorite Doors – Riga, Latvia

Side Streets – Riga

Riga, Latvia – Parks Galore

BK3 – Abandonded Brickyard

Kyiv Fortress – Kyiv, Ukraine

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