Opera House Timisoara

Opera House Timisoara
Originally uploaded by usabin

Arieseni Church (remake)

Arieseni Church (remake)
Originally uploaded by usabin

This is a reprocessing of an older picture. I had to do it since the old version had a line on the right side and did not qualify for Fotopedia. I used Capture NX2 for RAW processing.

Arieşeni (German: Leppusch, Hungarian: Lepus) is a commune located in Alba County, Romania. It has a population of 1921. The commune is composed of eighteen villages.
It is a very popular ski resort among the people of Bihor and Alba counties, with a 700-meter ski slope. There are several notable sites such as the Vârciorog Waterfall, Ghetarul de la Scărişoara, Groapa Ruginoasă, Piatra Grăitoare, Pătrăhăiţeşti village, Bihorul Peak (1848m).

The Church with Moon (Interior) - Oradea

The Church with Moon (Interior) - Oradea
Originally uploaded by usabin

The Church with Moon has a unique mechanism in Europe that shows phases of moon. The curator has yelled to me: "No photos in here. No photos" Too late for him, I had managed to take this shot.

European Peacock (Inachis io)

European Peacock (Inachis io)
Originally uploaded by usabin

The European Peacock (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly, is a colourful butterfly, found in Europe, temperate Asia as far east as Japan. It is the only member of the genus Inachis (the name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning Io, [the daughter] of Inachus). The butterfly has a wingspan of 50 to 55 mm. The base-colour of the wings is a rusty red, and at each wingtip it bears a distinctive, black, blue and yellow eye-spot. (wiki)

Death Angel

Death Angel
Originally uploaded by usabin

The Milan Monumental Cemetery is located in an area of 250,000 mq. Inaugurated in 1866, it was designed by the architect Carlo Maciachini (1818-1899).

Venice From Airplane

Venice From Airplane
Originally uploaded by usabin

I think the level of detail on this picture is very good. If you see the full size you can spot every known landmark.

From Rialto View

From Rialto View
Originally uploaded by usabin

Another view of "Grand Canale" during the blue hour. I think it is one of the most photographed places in Venice.

Venetian Portal

Venetian Portal
Originally uploaded by usabin

The entrance into the house was flooded. High tide and full moon.

Blue Waters Rialto - Venice

Blue Waters Rialto - Venice
Originally uploaded by usabin

Venice during blue hour. A perfect time to wander the waters in a gondola.

Venice Landscape

Venice Landscape
Originally uploaded by usabin

Peaceful evening on the venetian canals.

Murano Tower

Murano Tower
Originally uploaded by usabin

Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. It lies about 1.5 km north of Venice and measures about 1.5 km across with a population of just over 5,000 (2004 figures). It is famous for its glass making.

Victory Square - Timisoara

Victory Square - Timisoara
Originally uploaded by usabin

Another very well known mark of Timisoara. I wished it was blue hour but I came to late so all you can see is a usual longexposure nightshot.

Theatre - Oradea

Theatre - Oradea
Originally uploaded by usabin

Build in the year 1899-1900 in the eclectic style using the plans of the architects: Rimanóczy Kálmán, Fellner and Helmer

Baroque Basilica Oradea - Chandelier

Baroque Basilica Oradea - Chandelier
Originally uploaded by usabin

Catedrala barocă/Székesegyház – the biggest Baroque cathedral in Romania
* Length: 68 m.
* Width: 30 m.
* Dome height: 24 m.
* Tower height: 61 m.

Baroque Basilica Oradea - Altar View

Baroque Basilica Oradea - Altar View
Originally uploaded by usabin

Catedrala barocă/Székesegyház – the biggest Baroque cathedral in Romania
* Length: 68 m.
* Width: 30 m.
* Dome height: 24 m.
* Tower height: 61 m.

Il Duomo - Milano

Il Duomo
Originally uploaded by usabin

The Gothic cathedral took five centuries to complete and is the fourth-largest church in the world. (1386-1965 )
Some technical details about the dome:
Length 157 metres (515 ft)
Width 92 metres (302 ft)
Width (nave) 16.75 metres (55 ft)
Height (max) 45 metres (148 ft)
Dome height (outer) 65.5 metres (215 ft)
Spire height 106.5 metres (349 ft)

Cupola di San Sebastiano

Cupola di San Sebastiano
Originally uploaded by usabin

The church of San Sebastiano was build in 1576. It is a very pleasant surprise for any visitor. Very close to Duomo of Milan on via Torino.

Santa Maria delle Grazie - Interior

Santa Maria delle Grazie - Interior
Originally uploaded by usabin

Holy Mary of Grace is a famous church and Dominican convent in Milan. The church is also famous for the mural of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, which is in the refectory of the convent.
I can say that there is nothing really special about this church and that the famous "Last Supper" is impossible to see if you do not book your ticket in advance.
A sign "Sold Out" will warn you that no tickets are available and the only way to Leonardo's work is going on-line and booking.
Great !

Cupola di Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Cupola di Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Originally uploaded by usabin

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is an amazing place of Milan, full of shops and steaming with life even late in the evenings. It reminded me of Black Eagle Gallery back in Oradea.
Named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of united Italy, it was originally designed in 1861 and built by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milano

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milano
Originally uploaded by usabin

I have returned from 4 days trip to Milan. This is the first shot I have processed. More to come...

Black Eagle Palace - Oradea

Black Eagle Palace - Oradea
Originally uploaded by usabin

The Black Eagle Palace the one-time hotel was built between 1907-1909 on the base of the old Eagle guesthouse. The ensemble equipped with a glass covered passage making the connection between three streets became the most important realization of the architect couple Marcell Komor and Dezso Jakab. The glass painting with the black eagle the ensemble's emblem was executed in 1909 in the Oradean Neumann workshop.

Sf Gheorghe - Romano Catholic Dome - Timisoara

Sf Gheorghe - Romano Catholic Dome - Timisoara
Originally uploaded by usabin

This shot was taken after the rain, in the background may be seen the catholic dome (built between 1736-1774).

Boat on Bega - Timisoara

Boat on Bega - Timisoara
Originally uploaded by usabin

"Vaporasul" floating on the Bega river in Timisoara.

Primaria Oradea - Cityhall

Primaria Oradea - Cityhall
Originally uploaded by usabin

Oradea Cityhall as seen from "Intelectualilor" bridge. I think Oradea has many beautiful building to share with the viewer. If ever you are traveling to Western Romania (Ardeal) don't forget to visit this beautiful city.

Sunset Over Pischia Lake

Sunset Over Pischia Lake
Originally uploaded by usabin
I took a series of sunset pictures near Timisoara. The village is called Pischia and nearby there is a lake.
The whole set can be seen here.

Kuwait Trade Center - Al Tijaria Tower

Kuwait Trade Center - Al Tijaria Tower
Originally uploaded by usabin

A twisted tower with 45 floors and 218m height. This photo had a great success on Hotnews.ro having over 5200 displays.
It has the style of a well known Romanian sculptor: Constantin Brancusi.

Mosque - Kuwait City

Mosque - Kuwait City
Originally uploaded by usabin

This is a common sight in Kuwait. There are a lot of mosque scatted between the high-rise buildings. View from "Souq Sharq Mall"

Kuwait City Skyline from Souq Sharq Mall

Kuwait City Skyline from Souq Sharq Mall
Originally uploaded by usabin

My days here are coming to an end. I will leave Kuwait on Tuesday 26th Jan 2010. It was a nice experience, and a warm winter. I will return to Romania to face the blizzard and -20C.

Kuwait Towers - Kuwait City

Kuwait Towers - Kuwait City
Originally uploaded by usabin

It is the symbol of Kuwait and appears in all photos so I tried an original approach.
The Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 meters high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 meters above sea level and completes a full turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 meters high and serves as a water tower. The third tower houses equipment to control the flow of electricity and illuminates the two larger towers. The towers hold 4,500 cubic meters of water.

Burj Al Hamra - Under Construction

Burj Al Hamra - Under Construction
Originally uploaded by usabin

The Al Hamra Tower is a super tall skyscraper currently under construction in downtown Kuwait City, Kuwait. Designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the tower will become the tallest building in Kuwait on completion in 2010 at 412 m (1,350 ft). It will also be the tallest sculpted tower in the world.
It is located near the place I worked in Kuwait.

Baby There's a Shark in The Water

Baby There's a Shark in The Water
Originally uploaded by Usabin

I have visited Scientific Center of Kuwait, located in Salmiya. I can say it was a very enjoyable experience. The aquarium is one of the largest in the Middle East and harbors over 100 species of animals.
I think that KSC is definitely a must go during anyone's stay in Kuwait.

NBK - Kuwait City

NBK - Kuwait City
Originally uploaded by Usabin

National Bank of Kuwait is an impressive building. It is already being dwarfed by Burj Elhamra which is very near.
Actually is called Arraya II and has a height of 300 m and 60 floors.

Al Kuwait Skyline

Al Kuwait Skyline
Originally uploaded by Usabin

It is the view from 19th floor of Arraya II building, Kuwait City.

United Tower - Kuwait City

United Tower - Kuwait City
Originally uploaded by Usabin

The United Tower as seen through a stained glass. When will be finished will stand 240m (60 floors) above the ground. It is one of my first photos in Kuwait.

Union Square - Timisoara - monument view

Union Square - Timisoara - monument view
Originally uploaded by Usabin

Another winter shot from Timisoara. Now the winter is gone ... at least for a while and the rain has taken place. The memory and the pictures still remain.

Union Square - Timisoara

Union Square - Timisoara
Originally uploaded by Usabin

I frozen in Union Square to take some shots. The temperature was only -4C but seemed a lot lower. It is a pain to take photos in cold. My admiration goes to people who managed to take nice shots under harsh condition.
This is my first picture in 2010.
Happy New Year to everyone !

Clock With Figures - Szeged Dom Square

Clock With Figures - Szeged Dom Square, originally uploaded by Usabin.

It is the work of Ferenc Csuri, a master watchmaker. It plays for 9 minutes long at 12:15 and 16:15 o'clock.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill
Originally uploaded by Usabin

Calton Hill is a hill in central Edinburgh, Scotland, just to the east of the New Town. The hill also includes several iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, Nelson's Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument