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THE ROMAN HERITAGE OF TARRACO (TARRAGONA)

David Oliete Casanova

Photographer from Spain

If you ever visit Catalunya, in Spain,
I am quite sure Barcelona will be on your agenda.

In that case, please let me give you a wise advice and save one or two days of your trip to get away from the busy Barcelona and enjoy one of the best historical heritages
in the area: the city of Tarragona, the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior during the Roman Empire and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/500 sec
ISO 250
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/500 sec
ISO 320
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Known as “Tarraco”
during the old Roman Empire,
Tarragona is a mid-size city just an hour away from the brilliant (and obviously) very worthy Barcelona.

Thanks to its preserved ruins, Tarragona is a place where you can understand, enjoy and feel how the citizens of the Roman era lived years ago and how amazing this period was.

Since Tarragona is not a huge city you can visit most of its main historical attractions just in one day. I suggest you to get up early, take your camera with you (I will choose my Canon 5D Mark III with the Samyang 35mm f1.4 lens to get a perfect and really sharpen shot of all the ruins) and get ready to have a great day in Tarraco, the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula and the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior during the Roman Empire. Go!

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/800 sec
ISO 320
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Let’s start our trip visiting the amphitheatre; maybe one of the most impressive preserved ruins in the city.

It had a capacity of 14.000 spectators and was the venue of gladiators and animals fights. Due to its fantastic location by the Mediterranean Sea, the amphitheatre is probably the most popular photographic spot in Tarragona (I have to say that it is not my favourite one. I’ll let you know which one I prefer few lines below).

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/125 sec
ISO 1000
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/1250 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Just five minutes on foot from the stunning amphitheatre we can find the Roman circus, the place where Romans celebrated the “quadriga” races and competitions (a “quadriga” is like a chariot drawn by four horses). Although nowadays it is only preserved the top part of the circus, considering that the whole arena was 325 meters length and 115 width, we can try to figure out how big and spectacular was the whole place, occupied nowadays by the main square of Tarragona: the “Plaça de la Font”.

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/640 sec
ISO 320
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/125 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

After visiting the underground corridors of the Circus (where you will be very lucky if you have a Samyang lens f1.4 as me) we get out to walk through the Plaça de la Font, exactly the place that many years ago hosted these Roman races.

In less than ten minutes we arrive at the Roman Walls entrance. In this point, we are in front of the oldest and best-preserved walls of the Roman era in the Iberian Peninsula. We can enjoy then a nice walk by the walls just before having lunch; I guess you may be hungry then.

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/60 sec
ISO 1600
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Before heading to our main afternoon spot, we will visit quickly the Colonial Forum of Tarraco, where the administrative and commercial affairs of the Roman city took

Finally, we will take the car to drive 4 kilometres north of the city to enjoy my favourite spot in Tarraco: the Roman aqueduct, known as “Pont del Diable (Devil’s bridge) or “Aqüeducte de les Ferreres”. This is an ancient bridge, part of the Roman aqueduct built to supply water to the ancient city of Tarraco and located in an amazing forest area where we will rest and wait to try to catch the sunset through the bridge.

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/60 sec
ISO 1600
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/1600 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

So that’s it, hope you enjoyed it. If I were you I’d be probably heading home then to edit all the pictures I took. I guess I’d have amazing footage considering I absolutely love the 35mm lens. The Samyang f1.4 is perfect to do not lose any detail of places you visit, where sometimes you are dealing with some low light conditions and need to move from a more landscape photography to a more urban one.

zoom
LENSES MF 35mm F1.4
CAMERA EOS 5D Mark Ⅲ
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/1250 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

DAVID OLIETE CASANOVA

www.davidoliete.com

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to shoot easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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