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| How Swede It Is | |||||
Arthur Krasinsky gets the wide view of the world’s wonders with the Tamron SP AF11-18mm Di II lens |
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| SP AF11-18mm
F/4.5-5.6 Di II by Jennifer Gidman Zumpano |
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From the stunning architecture of walled-in cities from medieval times, to modern art anchored in the river outside one of Stockholm’s premier museums, to the Danish crown jewels on display in Copenhagen, visitors who leave the American mainland to journey to Europe, Asia, and beyond are privy to a dazzling display of cultural magnificence. New Jersey photographer Arthur Krasinsky recently found himself in the midst of some of these exotic environs, making stops in Denmark, Sweden, and China, among other countries. Krasinsky, who has dabbled in corporate and editorial photography for more than 35 years (some of his subjects have included George Steinbrenner, Margaret Thatcher, and the imposing monoliths of Stonehenge), brought along the Tamron 11-18mm Di II lens to capture some of the fascinating people and historic landmarks he saw along the way. |
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When the Light’s Not Quite Right… |
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Visit the Swedish city of Visby (located on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea) during the beginning of August every year, and you’ll be transported back in time to the 14th-century. During this annual Medieval Week, Visby (a three-hour ferry ride from Stockholm) morphs back into the mighty Hanseatic metropolis it was circa 1360, complete with street merchants, court jesters, and period musicians. “The city itself is one of two completely walled-in cities from medieval times,” explains Krasinsky. “During this week of festivities, the local people all come in costumes they’ve prepared throughout the year.” |
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| The Tamron 11-18mm lens helped Krasinsky expertly capture an evening shot of the Hanseatic League Church during a break in the partying. “When you’re attempting to get an architectural shot in low light, it’s difficult to get all those vertical lines from a distance,” he says. “With the 11-18, I was able to get in closer, with less obstruction, to get a full view of the church.” |
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Using the 11-18mm lens also proved handy in some of the Continent’s museums and artifact repositories—places where Krasinsky spent a good deal of his time while abroad. “In museums, I don’t set up a tripod or anything (many museums don’t let you do that),” he says. “I also had to mainly use available light in these settings, since museums usually don’t allow flash. With the 11-18, I was able to handhold and shoot a very small aperture, yet get great detail and color.” He used this technique when he shot the Danish crown jewels, on display at the Rosenborg Palace in Copenhagen. |
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Context, Even Up Close |
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Anyone who’s ever witnessed the Changing of the Royal Guards outside the Stockholm Royal Palace can attest to this utterly regal demonstration. The 40-minute ceremony is often accompanied by a military band concert, and there so many people crowded into the city square in front of the palace that many tourists would be hard-pressed to nab a decent picture. |
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Krasinsky pulled off his closeup of one of the Royal Guards from just one foot away. “I was practically pushed up against him,” he recalls. “But because of the wide angle of the lens, I was able to get a good picture of the lens and a little bit of the surrounding area. With this lens, there’s very little distortion. It looks like I’m standing quite a bit away, and I get some good detail—you can see the reflection of the palace in the guard’s helmet.” |
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In addition to the more ceremonial and grandiose happenings and locales you’d expect to find in centuries-old cities, the lens allowed Krasinsky to also capture a taste of a more contemporary culture—even some off-the-wall art. “I used the 11-18 to get an image of some modern art anchored in the river right outside of one of Stockholm’s art museums,” he says. “The lens helped me get the art in the foreground, while still getting a wide shot of the city backdrop.” |
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Go to www.kpiphoto.org for more information on Arthur Krasinsky. |
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Tip Box The Perfect Pictorial When you’re traveling (especially in a country with very different customs and mores than the ones you’re used to), let your camera and lens tell the story of the place you find yourself in. “I used the Tamron 11-18 to get a picture of a boy in Beijing on a motorcycle, seated right between his mother and his father,” says Krasinsky. “I was shooting through the window of a bus, and we were both going about 30 mph. What’s telling about this picture, however, is how effectively it illustrates the one-child policy in China, and how each child is definitely the center of attention!” |
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