Not a Night at the Opera

It has taken me a while to sort through the photographs I took whilst in Vienna. I never realised I took so many as I honestly did not spend all of my time viewing things through a lens. My tactic is much more one of seeing something for myself and taking it in with my own eyes and experiencing being there, then if the urge takes me, if the subject demands me to capture the moment, then I will lift the camera and view life through a lens.

For me, part of the fun of being on holiday is taking photographs. It allows me to tap into my creative side and allows me to merge two of my most favourite things, travelling and exploring new places with taking photos. Of course, once I return the creative process continues as I sort through my photos and file them. This always allows me to savour my break as the images transport me back to where I took them. Even though I use a dSLR camera I prefer not to rely on software enhancement of my pictures, preferring to compose my shots in situ, so when I get back minimal treatment is required. Sometimes though I see a photo that just screams for the artistic treatment.

My last day in Vienna was overcast compared to the other days which had been hot and sunny and as such the photos were moody. I felt that, for some of them, this lent itself perfectly to black and white and so I have converted the images to monochrome and I am very happy with them. The images below are of the Weiner Staatsoper, home to the Vienna State Opera.

The shot above was taken from the roof of the Albertina museum which is opposite the opera house. The original Opernhaus was inaugurated in 1869 with Mozart's Don Giovanni but was gutted by fire in 1945 during WWII. The foyer, the main stairways, the vestibule and the tea room were spared. The rebuilt theatre, the Staatsoper, seating more than 2,200, reopened in 1955 with Beethoven's Fidelio. The opera house has hosted some of the finest directors and opera singers.


I just love the photo above which is of one of the covered and arched walkways that surround the perimeter and form part of the building. This photo was taken standing near the stage door. I was walking around the outside of the building when I noticed this couple ahead of me and thought that it made a good composition.

I very much hoped to go to the opera while I was in Vienna but alas tickets are hard to come by and very expensive (unless you want to stand with obstructed viewing!). This time I did not make it and had to content myself with a circuit of the opera house but I did go to a very fine concert by the Vienna Imperial Orchestra who played Mozart and Strauss (of course, Vienna having been home to the musical Strauss family) with opera singers and ballet dancers. I had a wonderful evening, even if it wasn't the opera.

I am still sorting through my photos so there is much more to come!