Austria

Once a year the city Retz gets famous for its pumpkin fair. Orange colors and garlands line the streets. The decoration of the houses and many food-booths are in the sign of the pumpkin. I tasted a Prague ham roasted over an open fire with charcoal. Then a glass of white wine, which is the second famous product of this area.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/100s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 64

Parking on a lane between fields was the best place for starting my DJI drone. The location was fully compatible with my license, which forbids me to fly over a residential area. I wanted this shot of Göttweig Abbey, residing on a higher hill and its surroundings. It is home of Benedictine monks. After the drone session, we did get up to the abbey and visited the churches, the big wall, and the sightseeing platform.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: FC6310
• Aperture: ƒ/2.8
• Shutter speed: 1/2500s
• Focal length: 8.8mm
• ISO: 100

“Vienna Coffee World” – an exhibition entirely dedicated to coffee roasters, coffee machines, and accessories. I got a speed kick; you get coffee for tasting at each corner. A pimped up with version, with Licor 47, espresso and ice was great. The cook on the photo served sweet snacks for the coffee lovers. I could shoot some discreet pictures with my Leica X Vario.

Post processed with: Color Efex Pro, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/60s
• Focal length: 43.5mm
• ISO: 1600

In Langenlois I visited with my wife a show garden, which is famous for its winter decoration. After we were almost done with the sightseeing, I saw near the exit yet this Buddha statue. With the size of about 2 meters and the green illumination, I positioned myself and shot some nightly photos.

Post processed with: Luminar, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/125s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 12800

A few days ago I posted an ice sculpture from the ice-hole on the glacier Dachstein in Styria, Austria. Today I show a different angle from the ice sculptures. You can imagine, that the ground floor is slippery, mostly it’s pure ice. So be careful with the camera equipment.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/1.4
• Shutter speed: 1/100s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 250

Slow and steady upwards, croaking and fuming, the steam locomotive on the Schafsberg has to go up until 1.783 meters. I had a very narrow stance and had to step back fast after shooting the photo. The train driver stayed cool; I think he saw many photographers already, however, he let the bugle sound, as a general warning.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

The unexpected events often provide the most lasting memories. That was the case when visiting the adventure gardens in Langenlois, Lower Austria. We had an appointment for supper at 18 o’clock. Since we had 3 hours left, my wife went to nearby attractions. The Kittenberger adventure gardens turned out to be a winter wonderland. Fountains shone in bright, colorful light, garlands and fairy lights adorning the trees and shrubs. My Sony A7S got hot, from the many photos.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/20s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 12800

On the top of the glacier Dachstein, I visited an ice-tunnel exhibition. Some artists have made ice-sculptures with chainsaws, hammer, and chisel. The ice gets illuminated from different angles, with changing lights and intensity. Walking through this tunnel brings you into a dream world of ice and winter temperatures. For the sports enthusiasts, there are many ski lifts on the mountain.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/1.4
• Shutter speed: 1/40s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 100

The Schafberg in Upper Austria, standing on a mountaintop with a 360-degree view of valleys, lakes and the Alps gives you the feeling of being free. For exploring the mountain chain, my wife and I walked through a mountain pine forest, with men-high plants and arrived at a steep slope of hundreds of meters height.  Looking down gives you the feel of tingle under the skin, better to hold a respectful distance. My position was perfect for taking a photo of the abstract rocks. As the background, the horizon of the deeper valleys appear.

Post processed with: Photoshop

• Camera: X-T1
• Aperture: ƒ/6.4
• Shutter speed: 1/500s
• Focal length: 30.8999996185mm
• ISO: 200

During an evening walk between the corn fields, I stopped for taking photos of the landscape. My brother and his girlfriend were patient and polite, they always waited for me, so I had enough time for my photos. On the way home, we went into a wine bar for some food and let the evening end in a quiet atmosphere.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: DSC-RX1R
• Aperture: ƒ/2
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 800