Tag Archives: dubrovnik

Cathedral Dome, Dubrovnik

Cathedral Dome, Dubrovnik
“Cathedral Dome, Dubrovnik” — The dome of the Dubrovnik Cathedral, as seen from Gundulic Square.

We spent a few days in Dubrovnik, Croatia near the end of the summer of 2023, between time in Kosovo and a week near Trogir, further north in Croatia. The weather conditions were fascinating and a little challenging on this day. There were high clouds, some of which were thick enough to darken the sky, and the direct sun was blocked, leaving this soft light on the buildings.

I made the photograph in a small square that is largely hemmed in by buildings like those in the photograph. The only part of the cathedral that is visible beyond them is is rounded dome, a major landmark in Dubrovnik.


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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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Lokrum Island, Adriatic Sea

Lokrum Island, Adriatic Sea, Croatia
“Lokrum Island, Adriatic Sea” — Lokrum Island and the calm Adriatic Sea at Dubrovnik, evening.

We were in Croatia for a week and a half in the summer of 2023, at the end of a ten weeks of travel in (mostly Southern) Europe. Our visit to this country began with a few days in the remarkable old walled city of Dubrovnik. Late one day I decided it was time to circumnavigate the city on the walkways along the top of the old walls that surround it. The day came to an end as I walked, and I made this photograph right around dusk.

You have probably heard of the “rules of composition.” I’m pretty sure I violated most of them, if not all, in this photograph. “Rules” is the wrong context here — that word implies that there are specific right and wrong ways to approach composition. Instead the goal should be to understand the effects of compositional choices on the mood of a photograph. Here I wanted to express the stillness and lack of dynamism in this scene, its peacefulness and quiet. I think that the almost evenly divided vertical helps with that. And I wanted a bit of a sense of mystery — hence the bit of the island intruding into the frame from the far left.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea

Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea
“Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea” — A red and white boat sails on the quiet Adriatic Sea past Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Looking at this scene, you would probably never guess where I was when I photographed it. It seems like a quiet, isolated place along the ocean shore. Truth be told, I was walking along the top of the wall around the historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia very close to sunset. While it was fairly quiet there, it most certainly was not isolated!

I’m a fan of long views of the empty or nearly-empty ocean. I’m not quite certain why that is, though the ocean represents a sort of infinite unknown frontier for most of us. There’s something “out there” that we are unlikely to experience, a place of mystery. Here it is enhanced by the soft light and haze of the summer Adriatic as this boat passes by.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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Dubrovnik Rooftops

Dubrovnik Rooftops
“Dubrovnik Rooftops” — Tile rooftops of old Dubrovnik seen from the city walls in early evening light.

Dubrovnik is a remarkable city — very old, very beautiful, and today a sophisticated center of tourism. The age of the place becomes more obvious the further you get away from the central tourist areas. Out around the furthest fringes, on very narrow walkways, you can find places that seem almost… unspoiled.

The old city is almost completely ringed by an ancient wall — the only gap is near the small harbor. On this evening I set out to walk the perimeter of the town along the wall. I made the photograph early on my walk as the light was just beginning to take on the colors of early evening as I looked across a sea of red rooftops.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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