Brunch with Battutah
Daring mountaineers - Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 25 January 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
As a finale to a Sunday street festival, fearless mountain climbers in red leapt off the bell tower of the Church of Saints Filippo and Giacomo and rappelled down the sides.
The bell tower was built between 1851 and 1858 and can be seen from any point in the Ampezzo Valley. Constructed of dolomia stone, it is 71 meters high (230 feet). The globe at the pinnacle is one meter in diameter and covered with gold leaf. The carillon of its clock reproduces the sound of London's Big Ben.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Original shot : I like it a lot. I've never seen so many climbers on an building.
25 Jan 2008 5:54am
@Calusarus: Many thanks, Calusarus.
@Craiger: Many thanks, Craiger.
dailyphotosofmalé from malé, Maldives
i hope this is not the finale for the series
this series has been a wonderful insight into italy
25 Jan 2008 8:07am
@dailyphotosofmalé: Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. That's the series for now, but perhaps I'll post more later.
MGB from Lisbon, Portugal
Excellent capture of an interesting moment. you're a great and lucky photographer!
25 Jan 2008 8:50am
@MGB: You're so kind. Thank you.
Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium
that is a nice treat for you and probably a lot of fun for the climbers. Looks good with their bright red shirts.
25 Jan 2008 9:57am
@Jason Kravitz: Thanks, Jason. I think we all had fun that day.
@Eduarda: You're so kind. Thank you.
Steven from Montreal, Canada
This image really pops! The contrast, exposure, and composition are great!
25 Jan 2008 10:01am
@Steven: I appreciate that, Steven. Thank you.
paola veneziani photography from Brescia, Italy
wow!! non avranno paura li sopra???
25 Jan 2008 10:09am
@paola veneziani photography: Gratzie mille, Paola.
@Viewfinder: Many thanks, VF.
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Very original! How many were they? Like the colour contrast against the blue sky and the climbers in red against the building, good catch ;)
25 Jan 2008 12:34pm
@ManuelaR: Thank you, Manuela. There were five climbers.
Laurent from Lyon, France
beautiful and interesting picture. Personaly I prefer where you were to where they were ;o)
25 Jan 2008 12:48pm
@Laurent: I agree. I don't like such heights either. Thank you, Laurent.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
This is very interesting as a fact and at the same time a unique capture! Plus, the angle is excellent!
25 Jan 2008 1:00pm
@Japanalia: I appreciate that, Gabriela. Thanks so much.
@Teresa Durães: Thank you, Teresa.
@Wolfgang Prigge: Thanks, Wolfgang. I appreciate that.
@Ina: Thank you, Ina.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Oh my gosh, what a striking photo, imagine that, wish you had gone up with them, I can just imagine the glorious close-ups you would have posted ;)
25 Jan 2008 2:43pm
@Lorraine: You're right. Those close-ups would have been amazing, especially with my hands shaking from fear 70 meters up. A stimulating comment, Lorraine. Thank you.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
oh wow..love the clear blue sky and the red rapellers.I remember making the decision not to rapell but descend the inside of a hill without any supporting ropes...my,was i an idiot who could have fall to her death!
25 Jan 2008 3:22pm
@tyan: Great comment, Tyan. Thanks. I had no idea you had done some climbing.
@Earnest: I think so. Thanks, Earnest.
@yiannis krikis: Thanks, Yiannis.
@DaveB: Thanks, Dave. I appreciate that.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
I guess they had to wait for the proper time so that guy didn't get skewered on the minute hand.
25 Jan 2008 5:14pm
@Michael Rawluk: You're right. But I guess it was OK for him to take a little rest on it. Thanks for the humor, Michael.
@badala: Many thanks, badala.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
That looks quite dangerous! What an incredible church, must be a great effect to see it shine when the sun comes out!
25 Jan 2008 6:25pm
@MadScientist: Thanks, MS. You're right. It certainly does look dangerous. They are 70 meters up.
@Zahra: You are kind. Thank you, Zahra.
@Brites: Thank you, Brites.
Melanie from Switzerland
It must be nice to climb a church.
I wished to be there...
25 Jan 2008 8:31pm
@Melanie: I agree. A super experience. Thank you, Melanie.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Very original shot. Great light control here with this whiteness on the dark blue sky. Well done
25 Jan 2008 9:17pm
@standley: Thank you, Standley.
Camiller from Lisboa, Portugal
Hi Michael!
A great photo in which one of the mountaineers stopped the time !!!!!!!:)
25 Jan 2008 9:20pm
@Camiller: That's an interesting way of looking at it. Thank you, Camiller.
Frankie from Boxmeer, Netherlands
Beautiful colors and a nice perspective. A great moment to catch. Well done.
25 Jan 2008 10:31pm
@Frankie: Thank you, Frankie. I appreciate that.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
It almost seems sacrilege to rappell down such a beautiful piece of architecture.... having said that... Yeah, baby, what a trip!! FABulous capture, Michael! I really love the colours you've caught here so brilliantly.
26 Jan 2008 1:01am
@amy: That's a great comment. Thanks so much, Amy.
@Oswegan: Thanks, Oswegan.
martie from Okinawa, Japan
I love the reds captured against the white of the building. Great capture - excellent photo!
26 Jan 2008 1:59am
@martie: Thank you so much, Martie.
Tali from Serendipity, United States
What a really great and interesting photograph!! I really like it!!
26 Jan 2008 3:48am
@Tali: You're so kind. Thank you so much, Tali.
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Great journalist picture! also beautiful contrast in colors with those little red puppets, very well done (sigh: I wish the sky was like that over here :(
26 Jan 2008 11:17am
@Illuci: Thanks, Erik. I have visited Holland and I remember how dull and drizzly the weather was in winter.
@DaWn.~: Thank you so much.
the lightwriter from oosterwolde, Netherlands
great happening, great colours, great subject, great perspective: great image!!
28 Jan 2008 7:11am
@the lightwriter: Such a great compliment. Thank you.
@RAJESH: Thank you so much, Rajesh.
@alla: Yes. I can see how you might say that. Great comment, Alla. Thanks.
