Bookworms

This building has been on my photography wish list for a while. After seeing several images posted by other photographers, I did some research to find out what it was and where it was located. When I discovered it was the main city library in Stuttgart, I immediately starting planning the two-hour drive to visit.

Not only is it an incredible place, but the staff exhibit generosity toward photographers that is rare. On their website, you can request a photographer pass for a specific date in advance of your visit. Upon arrival, you sign in and they give you a camera sticker that you place on your shirt. This identifies you as a registered guest and allows you two hours to use tripods and other camera equipment that otherwise would not be permitted. They ask you to be considerate, respecting the space and privacy of other visitors during your stay.

The ability to use a tripod here was crucial. While I have improved my ability to capture architecture handheld, there is no substitute for being able to patiently align and frame rectilinear spaces. The system worked beautifully, as the security guards allowed me to maneuver up & down floors and in & out of corners trying various viewpoints while being mindful of other people. This image is one of many favorites. I hope to share several more from this experience in future articles.

I wish more locations would employ a similar photography policy, rather than banning tripods outright (or even cameras altogether). There were two other photographers in the library that morning and everyone was respectful to each other, the staff and the visitors. Stuttgart is deservedly proud of its library and I am grateful they allow photographers the freedom to capture and share its incredible design.

Reading List

A few weeks ago I applied for permission to photograph the Stuttgart Library. It is a beautiful, modern structure that I have been wanting to photograph for some time. As a result, I was excited when they granted me permission to photograph the library for 2 hours. They also granted me permission to use a tripod, which is normally prohibited. This proved essential, as the structure is filled with right angles and lines that would be very difficult to capture hand-held without distortion.

I waited outside the library, so that I could be one of the first people to enter once it opened. After showing the security guards my permission slip, I made my way up into the main atrium and got busy taking numerous compositions. Since I was one of the only people inside, I was able to photograph for about 30 minutes before other people started entering the atrium. I had scouted the library the previous day, when the library was full of people. Seeing it empty was completely different. I did like the person in this composition though…:)

I have several images from this day that I will share in the coming weeks. If you ever get a chance to visit Stuttgart, I highly recommend you spend some time here.

The Theological Hall

While wandering around Prague, I decided to go into the Strahov Monastery. It is not high on the list of attractions in a city that includes so many amazing towers, castles, bridges and churches…but I found myself right next to it one day and decided to pay the entry fee to have a look around. It is mainly a museum these days, fairly plain in exterior appearance, but it contains two amazing interior rooms. This one is the library, known as the Theological Hall completed in 1679. 

You can’t actually enter the room as ropes keep you restricted to the outside hallway, but from the entrance you can look down its long corridor and view the ornate ceiling, paintings and bookcases. Based on the simple design of the rest of the building, I was completely surprised to walk down a hall an find this! 

In order to take photographs inside, you must donate 5 euros to the monastery. I happily made the donation and consider it money well spent as this is one of the coolest rooms I have seen. Exploring lesser-known attractions occasionally results in surprise finds like this one…especially in cities as rich in history as Prague…and can provide unique opportunities to capture something that few others have.