Here is a collection of photographs from our time in Dresden. First below is the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche. The dark sandstone areas are the pieces that were recovered after the city was bombed at the end of WWII. Jason and I got to watch an amazing video while we were there that showed the rebuilding process, but I wasn’t able to find one online for you all to see. Please click here to read a bit about this church, but also make sure you click on the second photograph in the article. That will take you to a collection of seven other great images–just do it!

We also paid €8 each (yes 8, but it was worth it!) to walk up the highest tower of the church. First we took an elevator up a ways, and then we walked through a long corridor that circled up the tower. That was followed by a very tight spiral staircase, which brought us to the top. Jason took the second photo below of our view from way up there. We were in the Altstadt (old city, or historic part) of Dresden, and across the river you can see the Neustadt (new city).

We also visited the Zwinger Palace, which was commissioned by Augustus the Strong, and was used for celebrations. Now it houses multiple museums, including a large porcelain collection.

The next two photographs were taken from the glass-covered courtyard of the Residenzschloß, or Dresden Royal Palace. It served as the government seat of Saxony’s kings and electors, and now houses many art collections.

We spent a bit of time in the Verkehrsmuseum, or transportation museum. My favorite part was this historic bus stop sign–namely the advertisement on the bottom depicting a gentleman walking by proudly with his Herkuleskeule ticket, while the little blue men stare jealously.

And finally here is a shot Jason took after dinner of the Hofkirche. The Altstadt is beautiful at night, with all of the major landmarks brightly lit.

“A good photograph is knowing where to stand.”
~Ansel Adams

I came across this quote today and was struck by its simple truth.  I think I look incredibly silly about 98% of the time I am photographing–laying on the ground, up on my toes, standing on something/anything– because I’m always trying to capture my subject from the spot that is “just right”.  There are so many factors that go into deciding where that perfect spot is, and so little time to stand around and contemplate.  I am constantly striving to figure out the best way to position myself before I click the shutter, because the composition, and ultimately end result, of each shot depends wholly upon where I decide to stand.
The photograph below was in the set of shots I took for my last post.  I love it because this little weed, barely taller than the grass around it, stands so tall because of where I positioned myself and the camera.  Had I taken the shot looking down on it from my normal perspective, it would appear as no more than a small yellow dot in the green grass.

I am in the midst of going through the images from our trip to Dresden last weekend.  I can’t wait to show you more photos, but here is one for now…