European Alps

[Angelo]

My wife and I are planning a photographic trip to the European Alps towards the end of June.
I'm wondering, has anyone ever done a trip to this area?

If so, let me know how you liked it and what to expect.

Thanks

[Craig]

I've done cycling trips to the Dolomites in Italy and the Alps in France. Both were awesome. Photographic opportunities are EVERYWHERE!!!!! When on the bike I only had a p&s in my jersey pocket. I still got some nice shots with it. The little villages, the scenic mountains, the old churches, the shots are screaming to be taken.

[Angelo]

Wow, should I take my Colnago also?
Is this part of the Tour de France route?
Didn't think of that. But my wife would kill me...

Thanks for the info Craig.

[Truckman]

I hadn't thought about in a long time but I drove through the Alps in Austria, Switzerland and northern Italy in the mid-sixties on leave...I didn't have much of a camera back then but I've still got the slides...Beautiful country...Ben

[Panama Kid]

I lived in Germany for a couple years and was lucky to get to go to southern Bavaria, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Spain. All I can say is that the mountains are beautiful!!! There are many picture opportunities for some really great shots, espicially in Austria & Switzerland. In December I went back to visit Germany and ended up driving to Italy, I sure wish we could have stopped so I could take some pics. The ones attached are taken from a car, so they are not that great..... A couple from Austria & a couple from Italy taken on New Years Day 2008. Should be a great trip, too bad the dollar is really week..... Enjoy and get some great shots!!!

[Angelo]

So this is what I can look forward to.
All I need now is a 16-35mm 2.8L and I'll be ready.

Tell me, what lenses would you recommend?

[Panama Kid]

I want to say that I shot most of these with a 17-55 f2.8. I also had my 24-70 but since I was in a car when I took all these pics, I used the 17-55 most of the time......

Here's another one somewhere in N. Italy......

[Orogeny]

Originally Posted by Angelo

My wife and I are planning a photographic trip to the European Alps towards the end of June.
I'm wondering, has anyone ever done a trip to this area?

If so, let me know how you liked it and what to expect.

Thanks

Angelo,

My turn to help you!

Actually, you don't need any help. You will find photo opportunities everywhere. We were able to visit the Dolomites in northeastern Italy last summer and, even though it was a rainy, cloudy day, it was breath taking.

While I am especially partial to mountains, don't overlook the other photo ops like wild flowers and architecture.

http://www.pbase.com/orogeny/dolomiti

Tim

[Antonio Lopez]

I have also cycled the Alpes, Dolomites and Pyrenees about 10 yrs ago and there are so many photo opportunities. I was using film then, I can only imagine what I could do with my DSLR now. It's a fantastic place, enjoy it.

Tony

[Cerbera LM]

Like everyone has said you will it. Spent 30 hrs in Switzerland last fall. Next time I want to spend a week.



GPS



GPS

My 1.2¢
Get off the main road and find a road that zigs and zags and enjoy the scenery.
I went to Pilatus, a 7,000 ft mountain west of Luzern. Would have had more fun driving the back roads of Switzerland. On a crystal clear day it would be worth it but on a hazy day it is a 33 minute long, 9 mph, $49.42 gondola ride. The only good thing was talking to fellow English speakers.

My GPS Track of Day 1

My GPS Track of Day 2

Play around in Google Earth and look at pictures others have taken.

Half tempted to go in the winter next time.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1150225


http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2099338

[Angelo]

Andrew, great shots, all of them.
What lenses do you recommend. I've been wanting to get the 16-35mm 2.8L for scenery like this. Do you think it's needed or will my 24-105mm do?

How about Neutral and graduated filters?

I leave June 28th.

[Cerbera LM]

The first one was taken at 24mm (24-70) and the second one was shot at 12mm (12-24) on a 30D. If you have a FF camera (5D) then a 24-105 will be fine. Especially if one is comfortable shooting panos to cover the times 24mm isn’t wide enough. But one can't come up with a better excuse to get a 16-35 then a trip to Europe.

The only filter I have is a polarizer, which I used, so I can't speak to the usefullness of a neutral/graduated filters.

[AndrewCCM]

I can't offer any advice...but I also can't wait to see what you come home with.

My vacation this year consists of a drive down to Galveston in June. Whoopie.

Figured it's better than nothing...with a 1yr old and 6yr old that haven't seen the ocean.

Of course, they got to go to Chicago for the past 4 days (I got to stay home and shoot a wedding...:( ) The upside, I didn't get stuck at O'Hare from 10:30am to 9:45pm waiting on a flight after having it canceled. LOL! I get to pick them up after midnight sometime. Nice. Have I mentioned that I despise American Airlines recently?

Anyway, I digress... Enjoy the trip and be sure to share your pics.. I am so envious.

[Angelo]

Too funny Andrew, Sorry you had to go through all that.
AA has had a rough two months with the FAA making them ground many of their airplanes.

I leave on June 28 so I have enough time to get what I need (if wife says I can )

I've been wanting to get the 16-35mm for months now. Missed out on an opportunity two months ago - someone else beat me to it. I may just call B&H or Adorama and get it. I'll just tell my wife "I don't know what came over me!? " I'll a little, she'll a little, then she'll for she knows that I'm just a mere mortal man with weaknesses towards photography. After all, I do it all for her!? Then she'll forgive me and and I'll be happy with my 16-35mm 2.8L
I've got it all figured out....

We (wife and I) go to Galveston several times a year just to sit on the beach, relax and read.
Labor Day we'll be there with the whole family. We try to do that every year. I have 7 grandchildren and they all look forward to that.

I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to travel once you're an empty-nester.