Camera Labs

Hi everyone, chatting with Pravdo elsewhere in the forum about their home country of Bulgaria inspired me to post some photos I took during a very enjoyable holiday there in August 2004.

All photos taken with the original Canon EOS 300D / Digital Rebel using the bog-standard 18-55mm kit lens. None are cropped or processed.



Above: Typical bar / restaurant in Bansko. These are called Mehanas



Above: strange rock formations surround the tiny town of Melnik, population 267.
Melnik is famous for producing a dark red wine using grapes unique to the area.



Above: escaping from the heat in a cool cave wine cellar in Melnik.



Above: eastern-bloc styled hotel in Sandanski



Above: Car in Sandanski



Above: The amazing Rila Monestary in the heart of forests and Rila mountains



Above: Ceiling detail from church in Rila Monestary. Ahem, inspired by the cover of the Lonely Planet!



Above: former Monk's room in Rila monestary. Members of the public
can rent these rooms for the night and this was our resting place!



Above: View heading down to the popular Seven lakes area in the Rila mountains.



Above: Is it a Mars or a Snickers? Neither actually! A kind of sub-kit-kat!



Above: Rila Mountain Hut in the Rila Mountains. Generally regarded
as the best of the huts in the area. Great location, but a bit run-down!



Above: view from the peak of Mt Musala looking back to a modern mountian hut to the left of the lake.

I'd highly recommend Bulgaria as a destination for anyone travelling in Eastern Europe!

Gordon

Don't think much of the hotel in #4...looks like my old flat in Walthamstow

Seriously though, Bulgaria looks amazing and I really hope to get there some day. Particularly like the monastery and the mountains.

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Mark
Nikon D300 / Sigma 10-20mm / Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 / Nikkor 18-200mm VR / Nikkor 50mm f1.8 / SB600 Speedlight
Mark Amy Photography
My Squidoo lens - Images of China

Hey, Gordon, so lovely photos and funny comments... I am happy you enjoyed there... you were indeed in loveliest places. Buy the way, Melnik (267 inhabitants) is a town but not village, and always have been. When it was big town there were 500 people . It is like funny fact in bulgarian geography I remember from school. what make a place town, city or village are two things-the range of the local bishop and second the livelihood. if they live of trade but not agriculture it is a town no matter how big or small it is... well, it was in the past but Melnik still insist on "town"
Thanx again for that nice walk in my country. Refreshing as I am stuck to Sofia...

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Canon 40D, 17-40/4 L, B+W UV normal; canon-50/1.4

Thanks Pravdo! I'll update my caption!

I loved Bulgaria when I went!
I met some lovely people and had a great time. Maybe I'll come back one day =).
The only problem was the damn mosquitoes!

Looks like a really nice place... Great shots there...

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Jake

Canon EOS 400D + EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS + EF 50mm f/1.8
My Photos - My webpage (danish)

A fascinating country, lots of new money in the citys and towns but a very different story in the countryside. Travelling around you see lots of change and building work, but there are some lovely old buildings around too. Here are a few pictures taken over the last 4 years when we're visited Pamporovo, Bansko, Elenite and Nessebar. Its got an amazing history, a very proud people and wonderful scenery.


Nessebar, UNESCO World Heritage
site






Pamporovo - Ski resort in the Rudopi Mountains, topped by the Snezhanka TV Tower







Bansko & Sofia


Bansko Town Square

Sofia Herself!

main throughfare in Sofia

Roman ruins in Sofia

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, built to commemorate the Russian Soldiers who died helping liberate Bulgaria from Turkish rule

Former Headquarters of the Communist Party, Sofia

The trusty Tupolev Ty 154! Fastest jet airliner currently in service

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Nikon D600, Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8|AF-S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR|AF 50mm 1.8D|Nissin Di866 Flash|Lowpro Slingshot 200 & Fastpack 250|Giotos MTL9351B Tripod+MH1311 Ball Head|


http://www.flickr.com/photos/michdung/

PS I have resized all the above files in photobucket down to 320 x 240, but the larger sizes still seemed to be appearing! Any suggestions on how to rectify this?

As most of were taken on a 2MP camera, the files aren't as big as they may appear!

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Nikon D600, Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8|AF-S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR|AF 50mm 1.8D|Nissin Di866 Flash|Lowpro Slingshot 200 & Fastpack 250|Giotos MTL9351B Tripod+MH1311 Ball Head|


http://www.flickr.com/photos/michdung/

We're OK - it'll be your browser. If reloading the page doesn't sort the problem try clearing your browser's cache.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Sound advice Bob - thanks

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Nikon D600, Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8|AF-S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR|AF 50mm 1.8D|Nissin Di866 Flash|Lowpro Slingshot 200 & Fastpack 250|Giotos MTL9351B Tripod+MH1311 Ball Head|


http://www.flickr.com/photos/michdung/

Isn't that a Trabi at #5?

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D40 - Nikon 18-135mm - Nikkor 50mm f/1,8 - SB-600 flash
Nikon Coolpix L3

Wou... so many people visited my country? Yes, it's Trabi... a legend during socialistic time, but not anymore terrible car... but cheap...cheap but terrible

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Canon 40D, 17-40/4 L, B+W UV normal; canon-50/1.4

Ah Nessebar!
That place was breathtaking =)