The Castle of Acicastello, a photo from Catania, Sicily

Photographer's Note

ENGLISH: Yes, yes, I know...too dark, too much noise. But I like this photo so I'm going to post it anyway. I took it with the camera wedged onto a balcony and the floodlights illuminating the castle were really difficult. Anyway, enough excuses, this is the Norman castle of Acicastello. Acicastello is a town in the Province of Catania on Sicily's east coast. It is next to the village of Acitrezza. You would recognise this place from some of the photos of Mauro61 and Francio64. The castle was built in 1071 by the Normans. There is an interesting museum in the castle which houses some interesting items and gives you a good history of the area.

ITALIANO: Si, si, lo so! E troppo scuro e troppo rumoroso. Ma mi piace quindi lo postero :) Ho usato il balconio invece di un tripiedi, e la luci forte vicino il castello erano difficult. Ma basta. Questo e il castello Normanno di Acicastello nella Provincia di Catania nella costiera ovest di Sicilia. Il castello e Normanno, e construito nel anno 1076. E accanto Acictrezza, e forse riconoscerete dalle foto di Maur61 e Francio64.

Canon 5D
f/8
Exp: 30 seconds
ISO 400
45mm
Pattern metering
No tripod - balanced on a balustrade

baddori, vasilpro, elenimahera, Kielia, danos, francio64, kordinator, williewhistler, dkmurphys, snunney, jafadabret, ade71, Bluejeans, paololg, hispic, lpi, mozzy27, Didi, ikeharel ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

photoray (13981) 2010-12-13 17:19

Howdy Lisa,

Regardless of noise and darkness I really like this atmposheric image - castle at top of cliff, milky wave action highlighting the shoreline and varying blue tones.

Also note, many successful images are predominantly dark - early morning, sunset and night.

Good job, cheers,
Ray

humayun (3129) 2010-12-13 18:35

hi dear.........
very nice shuter speed in night.........
good pov and good work but diffrent.........
welcompo.........
weldon.....
tfs.......

emka (157280) 2010-12-13 22:03

Ciao Lisa,
I also like the photo. Nice effect of the silky see. The castle is so old, and beautifully set on the big rock, easy to defend. Magic mysteious atmosphere.

Warm regards, have a nice day

Malgo

baddori (20341) 2010-12-13 22:24

Lisa
Foto al limite di riproduzione e "creatività" ...un tempo i "puristi" ..ma dove sono adesso ...
Immagine e "fantastico -genere"
Ma un castello lo merita un po di immaginario.
Complimenti
GF

sabermonajati (11537) 2010-12-13 22:38

hi lisa
marvelous paysage you captured in night.waves near beach have nice form.
best regard
saber

vasilpro (41801) 2010-12-13 22:47

Hello Lisa,
I like too this nocturne composition with the excellent light management and the interesting castle on the rock.
Have a nice day, Vasilis.

Gerrit (62042) 2010-12-13 22:49

Hi Lisa,
beautiful scenery and a great setting for this castle. The lights far out on the sea are intruiging.
The nightshot is very succesful with great sharpnes and beautiful light.
regards, Gerrit

wolf38 (30) 2010-12-13 23:42

Hi Lisa. A castle in the night - only dimly lit. Truly a fascinating photo. You handled the play of light and shadow very well. A shot. Schuss. My compliments. Regards, Wolfgang.

CLODO (45116) 2010-12-14 0:09

Hi Lisa

A really good castle for ghosts! Not too dark or blurred for me!
Cheers
CLODO

Kielia (24077) 2010-12-14 0:34

Dear Lisa,
I understand perfectly well why you like this photo! It looks like the illustration of a fairy tale. The light is fantastic and this moody blue is really thrilling. A great capture!
Warm regards
Harriet

elenimahera (695) 2010-12-14 0:43

Hello Lisa

very impressive atmospheric night composition.Excellent use of shutter speed!!!

Have a nice day
Eleni

jjcordier (79299) 2010-12-14 0:43

Lisa
Une photo assez étonnante avec cet effet produit par l'écume des vagues arrivant sur le rivage et ce château discrètement éclairé qui domine la scène. C'est ce côté sombre qui fait tout l'intérêt de l'image.
Amicalement
JJ

danos (110407) 2010-12-14 0:58

Ciao Lisa,
fabulous the sight of the Acicastello's castle with the use of the 30 sec, to make the scenery even more effective.I like the brilliant light management as the sensation of this dreamily atmosphere.Well done.

Regards,danos

francio64 (39888) 2010-12-14 1:06

Ciao Lisa,
che bello vedere il "mio castello" :P
La foto è scura, ma l'atmosfera è piacevole, quasi magica.
Si intravede in BG, il faraglione grande di Acitrezza.
Devo fare una blue hour per te, qui appena posso.

Grazie per la condivisione
Cicciù

P.S.
Si dice balcone e non balconio OP :P

Bella la tua nuova foto di intro.
Sei una brillona :P

kordinator (8738) 2010-12-14 1:07

Hello dear Lisa
Wonderful blue time composition with the excellent light management and the interesting castle on the rock.
Amazing stone.
Perfect exposure,nice foggy effect.
Great job.
Regards
Saša

williewhistler (16606) 2010-12-14 1:43

Hello Lisa,I just love shots with attitude!!I can`t remember a better night shot,the exposure is just enough to show the rugged details in the rock without burning out the castle,the sweep of the shoreline and movement in the waves are well defined and those lights on the horizon finish it all of rather nicely.I can put up with a little noise to capture a mood like this.Super shot.

Thanks for your critique of my Lavender Farm,I note your point on framing,it`s just a spur of the moment thing,sometimes it works..
Have a good week
Les

dkmurphys (79209) 2010-12-14 1:58

Ciao Lisa,
Very mysterious scene, taken from a fairytale. I wait for a dragon to show up and throw fire from it's mouth.
Great composition, well done.
Have a beautiful day.

snunney (130967) 2010-12-14 4:19

Hello Lisa,
I don't mind the slight amount of noise; it adds much to the atmosphere of the composition. It is quite dark but there is still enough detail to discern. The white waves breaking against the shoreline bring an eerie feeling to the image accentuated by the slow shutter speed.

lilito (3534) 2010-12-14 5:34

Bonjour Lisa
Oui, oui, tu sais déjà ce que l'on va reprocher à ta photographie et je trouve génial de l'avoir publiée quand même, car le rendu est beau, la texture de l'eau super bien réussite, donc pas de raison!!!! ;D
Lily

Sergiom (117241) 2010-12-14 5:53

Ciao Lisa

The light management is superb. The 30 seconds of exposure give a nice movement to the sea and allows the rock to appear in good details.

Very nice

Serge

timecapturer (49288) 2010-12-14 7:03

Wow! Lisa
magical, mysterious and stunning image. Just enough light to make out the castle, but it is the almost dry ice effect of the sea that adds the wow! factor. Glad you posted this it is wonderful! Well conceived and executed.

Regards
Brian D.

jafadabret (56501) 2010-12-14 7:35

Bonjour Lisa,
Cette photo me plaît beaucoup et tout ce que tu dis contre ne peut pas m'en dissuader. J'aime le rendu de l'écume qui rend de la lumière, les tons de nuit du ciel et le rocher qui sert de base au château.
Amicalement
Jacques

ade71 (2228) 2010-12-14 7:53

Carra Lisa, i difetti che tu sottolinei in realtà sono la forza di questa immagine dalla atmosfera particolarissima. Le acque in movimento sono bellissime. Meraviglioso scatto! Adele
P.S. Ti è piaciuta Catania? ;)

peppe59 (14555) 2010-12-14 8:17

Ciao Lisuzza,
questa foto è splendida per tecnica e per qualità, spettacolare..!!! Una lunga esposizione gestita con maestria ti ha permesso di esporre questo effetto sul mare, complimenti Lisuzza !
un bacione
peppe

diomed (13926) 2010-12-14 8:18

WOWWW Lisa,
ma che magnifica cattura notturna e che magica atmosfera da sogno sei riuscita a riprodurre in questa foto attraverso l'effetto mosso dell'acqua e una grande profondità tramite le luci in lontananza.
Un paesaggio magnifico per un'atmosfera da favola. Bravissima. TFS
Ti auguro una buona settimana
Antonio

mauro61 (53411) 2010-12-14 8:21

ciao Lisa,
non trovo niente che non vada.
la foto è bellissima e l'atmosfera che hai colto semplicemente stupenda...bravissima
un abbraccio
maurizio

macjake (98262) 2010-12-14 8:41

Hey Lisa
I can see why you wanted to photograph this place, it looks pretty darn haunting! can`t help but think how many people have jumped, or ahem`..been pushed off of those cliffs over the years.
seems like you dont bring your tripod to alot of these places..lol
as for the photo, honestly...the fact that you aren`t happy with the noise and lighting - thats ok, because the main element here is the Mood - which you captured spot on. hence my comments about suicides! thats the mood you put me in, thanks alot Lisa, lol
seriously though..yeah, the mood and atmosphere is great.
cheers
craig

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-12-14 10:07

Ola Lisa ,
Esta fantástica esta tua foto 5* , muito bom uso dos 30 segundos , ficou linda a faixa branca das ondas nas pedras, gostei muito do castelo no alto desta pedra, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Longroute (19600) 2010-12-14 11:46

ammapete che roba!!! (how do you say in English "ammapete"?)
no, no, not too dark and not too noise, just perfect the way it is! This rock and castle is absolutely very dramatic like it should be. I love how the sea has come out! (As soon as I'll have a better camera I want to try to get this smooth surface).
You are the queen of night seascapes!
ciao e complimenti!
Donato

BluSimo (9392) 2010-12-14 11:59

Buonasera Lisa
io trovo questa tua foto bellissima, proprio perché è ai confini tra una illustrazione e una scena cinematografica. l'effetto evanescente e bianco del mare sulle rocce basta da solo a farne una foto di gran pregio. complimenti davvero.
ciao e buona giornata
Simonetta

Silvio1953 (220717) 2010-12-14 12:03

Ciao Lisa, bella e romantica, te la sei cavata alla grande ciol tripiede d'emergenza, magnifica esposizione, fantastica atmosfera, splendida esposizione, bravissima, ciao Silvio

lousat (138683) 2010-12-14 12:08

Ciao Lisa,lo sai quanto mi piacciono questi effetti creati sull'acqua grazie al lungo tempo di esposizione,magnifica notturna,e poi se e' troppo scura e' meglio,lascia spazio alla fantasia e all'immaginazione.Complimenti e buon risveglio,Luciano

grigand (20290) 2010-12-14 13:11

Ciao Lisa,
Fantastica atmosfera, un ottimo scatto con una luce veramente speciale,brava.
ciao
andrea

ciakgiak (30) 2010-12-14 13:45

Ciao cara Lisa,
che incanto! Un castello ha bisogno di atmosfere simili per affermare la propria bellezza ed il proprio fascino, hai costruito uno scenario mozzafiato con la consueta maestria. complimenti mia cara amica.
Un caro abbraccio
Giorgio

paololg (31448) 2010-12-14 14:26

Che capolavoro cara Lisa! E' incredibile come tutto ciò che fotografi diventi ancora più bello che nella realtà. In questa fantastica foto hai gestito la luce in modo magistrale, avvolgendo tutto in una stupenda tonalità blu, il mio colore preferito. Bravissima, come sempre!
Ciao, buon mercoledì!
Il Capitano

hispic (9658) 2010-12-14 19:23

Hi Lisa
White wave blurred by the long exposure is truly beautiful. Luminous impression of the wave and the detail of dark rock are exquisitely depicted. Beautiful nightscape by a proficient photographer.
Best wishes, Hisashi

quillo (11858) 2010-12-15 10:11

Ciao Lisa .........

Il fascino di luce e ombra
è mostrato in questo scatto,
mi piace molto soprattutto
perché illumina il litorale
con la schiuma delle onde.

Congratulazioni per questo
dipinto originale.

Un abbraccio.

lpi (4857) 2010-12-15 10:36

Salut Lisa,
Superbe composititon de nuit!
Joli travail!
Amicalement,
lpi

Nard (6972) 2010-12-16 4:53

Hi Lisa,

What a beautiful night picture. I like the light on and arround the castle and the white waves. Good choice for the speed, well done.
Regards
bernard

sacavem (18620) 2010-12-16 12:04

Olá Lisa,

Great perspective shot here, good details and a super quality-job, yes I like the good job here, well done.
Well done. Best wishes.
Filipe

korbee (6619) 2010-12-16 12:58

Ach.....my dear Lisa..quality is not always an issue to give a photo impact and power like this one,theres is so much atmosphere here,amazing.
The maving waves are very nice to look at,you have done a fine piece of framing.

Thanks and enjoy your last part of December!

jan

ManuMay (36447) 2010-12-18 3:35

Ciao Lisa!

Excellent mood and light management!!!

Great atmosphere and great use of seashore light...Wondeful view!!!

Have a nice week end...

Manu

mozzy27 (2) 2010-12-19 1:30

Hello Lisa
Another superb capture, very mythical with the castle on top of the cliff and the milky water below in blue hour. There's an air of wonderment about the image, an almost fairytale atmosphere and I don't know if you can see it, but I can see carvings of warriors on the cliff face, very fitting! TFS
Hope you had a pleasant weekend
Cheers Peter

Didi (61589) 2010-12-24 0:13

Hi Lisa
Very strange an original ambiance.
Good lights management
Merry Christmas.
Best regards

fritzi007 (14698) 2011-01-06 15:46

Hi Linda!
Really a nice, slightly mystical photo!
(I will see in this year Sizillien too)
Wish you a good time
Wolfgang

ikeharel (112521) 2011-04-06 8:10

Hi Lisa,
The silhouette of the castle, under long exposure, looks as it was "rising" from sea, and as taken from a mystery stage-play.
The fog adds to the drama...fantastic show of nature and mild lights.
Buone note
Ike