Sicilian Romanesque, a photo from Palermo, Sicily

Photographer's Note

ENGLISH: This is the cathedral of Cefalú in the Sicilian province of Palermo. I have previously posted photos of the internal design of the cathedral, which is dominated by Byzantine frescoes, most notably that of the Christ Pantocrator here:

Russia In Palermo and Russia In Palermo II

Cefalú was founded by the Greeks, initially as a fortress but definitely as a settlement by 396BC. The cathedral was built in 1131 by the Normans in what is known as the Sicilian Romanesque style. The town is a delight to visit, having a variety of historic churches and buildings, a marvellous seaside and - the most important - the best Sicilian cream cakes I have ever tasted.

ITALIANO: Si tratta del cattedrale di Cefalú, un paesino di Palermo. Ho postato prima le foto del'interno di questo cattedrale. Potete vedere qui: Russia In Palermo and Russia In Palermo II

Il paesino di Cefalú é incantevole. Ha una varietá di chiese ed edifice storiche, un bellissimo lungomare e, la piú importante - le torte e dolci piú buoni in tutta della Sicilia.

Canon 5D
ISO 160
f/11
1/200 second
Hand held

Highmountains, bayno, Janusz1974, SnapRJW, timecapturer, francio64, macjake, Noel_Byrne, Cricri, ourania, Gigidusud, gervaso, ikeharel, Waylim, kordinator has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Highmountains (1834) 2012-10-25 4:45

Its a beautiful photograph from an unusual POV. However the results are amazing. The clarity, sharpness and depth is excellent.
Moreover - from the light and shadows in the photograph, its very good light management.
The staircase that leads up to the cathedral has been very well captured - with grass growing in between the edges. The iron fencing is beautifully detailed.
The green plant on an earthen pot in the right is an excellent contrast to the tall palm on the left.
Thanks for sharing, Lisa.

bayno (16241) 2012-10-25 5:23

Cara Lisuzza, hai scelto questo POV per farci girare la testa? ;) scherzo vista dal basso la cattedrale è ancora più imponente, bella la luce laterale e i colori, la composizione è arricchita dall'effetto grafico della scalinata, dal vaso in FG e dalla palma, inoltre c'è anche la variante umana che non guasta mai, la cattedrale è stupenda...ma in quanto a visite se la gioca alla grande con le pasticcerie di cefalù ehehehe...ottimo lavoro con i settaggio della Camera...ma ormai commentarti queste Quisquilie (come diceva Totò) mi sembra banale...la qualità delle tue foto è sempre ottima....
buona serata...
Valter

Janusz1974 (2275) 2012-10-25 5:31

Hi Lisa,
This is a very impressive cathedral and your POV adds to this impact. Nice sharp image allowing us to see much detail. I like very much how you have used the palm trees to add to the effect. Very nice work.
Best regards
Janusz

Sergiom (39336) 2012-10-25 5:53

Ciao Lisa,

I like the picture.The point of view gives a lot of majesté to the church. You did manage the light in a fine way altough it was difficult.
Reading your text, it confirm that you have an Italian relation with food that even if you made Australia home for now, you will always remain Italian.

Have a nice day

Serge

lousat (57724) 2012-10-25 9:03

Ciao Lisa,una grande scelta de pov per creare questa prospettiva imponente,spettacolare esposizione in un semi controluce molto difficile,composizione molto ricca e perfetti dettagli e colori,farai invidia ai nostri amici siculi..ehhee..buon risveglio,Luciano

SnapRJW (18792) 2012-10-25 9:12

Hello Lisa - Now here we have the ideal shot for an in depth discussion about perspective distortion ;) But here the upward view is perfect, it gives the feeling of the cathedral and what it represents being high, lofty and most certainly above mankind. The ascending steps up to the hallowed place add to the impression, which I imagine has a lot to do with cathedral architecture and positioning. Tricky light which you have managed well. An unusual choice of POV and composition but one which I think works well. Have a lovely evening Rosemary

timecapturer (30394) 2012-10-25 9:26

Hi Lisa
a great POV that challenges you to run up the steps and take a closer look at this beautiful building. The setting is magnificent and your composition inviting and compelling. A difficult light but handled with your usual accomplished style and panache. Glorious!

Regards - Brian.

carlo62 (12666) 2012-10-25 10:06

Ciao Lisuccia cara
un pov spericolato e spettacolare, il Duomo normanno si innalza verso il cielo con le sue due torri in modo strepitoso. Bella la prospettiva della scalinata.
Salutissimi
Carlo

francio64 (38188) 2012-10-25 12:49

Ciao Lisa,
il tuo giro d'italia arriva ance nella mia isola e con una foto davvero incantevole per POV e per soggetto.
Vedo che non hai dimenticato le torte e i dolci di questo luogo :)

Ciao e grazie per la condivisione!
Cicc

macjake (39235) 2012-10-25 18:48

Hi Lisa
you know, the more you post photo's of Italy, the more i want to go here! sigh...one of these days i guess.

I think i'd go just to taste those cream cakes! mmmm...
with both of us from new places, Canada and Australia, its amazing to read such history, for example this place being built in the 1100's, are you kidding me!!
simply mind blowing.

I'm also equally impressed to see a palm tree! didn't expect that from Sicily. are you sure this is Italy lol

a fine shot because i think you're shooting near towards the sun? thats always hard to do.
the blue sky is really really nicely lit with soft light.
take care
Craig

jjcordier (62394) 2012-10-25 22:19

Lisa
J'ai toujours tendance à vouloir redresser toutes mes photos d'architecture et ta photo me montre que je ferais bien de m'abstenir quelque fois. Cette vue en contreplongée est très intéressante avec une belle exploitation des éléments du premier plan.
Amicalement
JJ

nilotpal_patra (1684) 2012-10-26 6:06

Namaskar Lisa,
It is realy, realy a Wonderful Picture of Architecture. Nice Frame. Nice colour, contrast and sharpness. Excellent shot. Nice POV. TFS.
Regards.
Nilotpal Patra.

photoray (4926) 2012-10-26 6:44

Howdy Cefalulisa,

Fine vantage point, leading the eye up the ancient steps, rock wall to the 12th century Sicilian combo architecture - Roman and Greek, and perhaps Moorish?

And your image is very resolute and natural in lighting almost 3 dimensional.

Good job,

Cheers,
Rayray

Noel_Byrne (7450) 2012-10-26 9:40

Gidday Lisa.

beautiful architecture goes without saying, I do like a good Ropmanesque, but your POV adds so much to this. Lining it up with bottom of the stairs is a wonderful idea, as we lookup through the picture, which I feel naturally included to do, start at the tree, then up the stairs to those wonderful statues, into the beautiful architecture, onto the mountain behind, the blue sky and then the hint of strong sunlight in the upper right corner. It works so perfectly! The colours are fantastic too, and of course, I love that light. Something we dont really get here in ireland too often :)
All the best!
Slainte
Noel

dkmurphys (36857) 2012-10-26 10:12

Ciao Lisa,
An optimal POV to illustrate this impressive building. I like it a lot, especially the rocky mountain from the back.
Enjoy the weekend.

Daniel

Cricri (86535) 2012-10-26 10:57

Hello dear lisa
Un beau souvenir que voila ce retour en Sicile, j'aime beaucoup ce pays..
Bon contre plonger, et joliment bien présenter avec le palmier, les escaliers, les roches sur le fond, la lumière est au top, une très belle présentation
Belle soirée
cricri

mkamionka (24583) 2012-10-26 11:50

Ciao Lisa,
I think I have seen this beautiful town and even this church already on TE although rather from a distance. You have chosen a different creative approach. The geometry is very original and works by surprise. Great idea to present this spectacular place,
Have a happy weekend,
M

Silvio1953 (98259) 2012-10-26 12:06

Ciao Lisa, POV originale ed efficace che esalta la bellezza dell'arcitettura, ottima nitidezza, bei colori pastello e splendida luce, bravissima, buon fine settimana, un abbraccio, ciao Silvio

ourania (12469) 2012-10-26 13:22

Ciao cara Lisa,
un superbo punto di vista verso l' alto che comprende tanti elementi i qualli, al fianco della splendida cattedrale, accentuano il carattere di questo posto. Hai ottenuto un intrigante gioco di prospettive moderato da una sapiente composizione.La nitidezza e' ottima. Hai moderato benissimo anche la forza della luce. I colori sono deliziosi ed hai datto alle pietre un effetto di dolcezza e sottigliezza gradevolissimo. Complimenti e grazie!
Tanti saluti e buon fine settimana,
Ourania

Gigidusud (8106) 2012-10-26 14:22

Carissima Lisa,
Splendida cattura di questa bellissima cattedrale.Eccellente POV e bella luce.Bravo!
Vado a vedere le tue ultime foto che ho perso durante le mie vacanze;)
Un abbraccio,la guagliona.

emka (58224) 2012-10-26 23:29

Nice view of this splendid example of the Sicilian architecture. Interesting shot from below, with a big distortion. With this palm and blue sky it looks very attractive. Creative shot.
Rgds
Malgo SIF

gervaso (8043) 2012-10-28 6:50

Hello, Lisa!

Beautiful architecture of this cathedral, and from this POV it looks really imposing! The colors are also beautiful! Wonderful composition! Good job!

ikeharel (37424) 2012-10-28 7:26

Cefalu is an old sleeping beauty, Lisa, yet offer many photographic opportunities, like the one here.
I know the exact POV, not an easy one looking upwards from the piazza.
Lovely reminder from my trip there.
Have a nice week ahead,
Ike

abmdsudi (26311) 2012-10-29 6:43

Hi Lisa
Love the angle on this, great perspective maintaining good verticals and i think you must have a good viewpoint so close to achieve this. Very impressive and such a grand landmark and so dominating the frame and there is so much detail, i guess you can return time and time again and still find new angles to shoot! A splendid capture of glorious cathedral, fascinating piece of architecture well captured and thks for sharing, appreciate your well written notes. Good stuff!
Best regards

Waylim (22357) 2012-10-29 13:59

Hello Naughty One Wannabe, hehe,

That rhymes really nicely dosn't it, I'm such a poet, I didn't even know. Thanks for bring it out of me.

Okay, this photo has great quality technically, sharpness, light, detials. The only minor picking is that the palm tree to the left that covered up the left side of the church tower, but I'm sure you didn't overlook that, it might just be that there is no other way around to take it without, unless you chop down the tree, but I'm glade you didn't. It is good enough as is.

I really hope to be able to visit Cicily one day. We have a couple of friends, living in Londo, who bought a little house out there, they mentioned we should visit them, when they are also in the area. Hopefully that will work out someday.

Way

Way

kordinator (13411) 2012-10-30 2:22

Draga Lisa
Very nice architecture of cathedral from the Sicilian province of Palermo.
Very interesting angle of view.
I remember your photos inside the cathedral with beautiful frescoes of the Byzantine style.
Perfect image quality.
Hugs
Saša