iPhone 15 Pro, 6.76 mm (35mm equivalent: 25mm), 1/35 sec, f/1.8, ISO 1000
The river on which Rothenburg is situated is called the Tauber, my family name. My ancestors came from Bohemia, not Bavaria, so it’s probably a coincidence. Rothenburg is the best preserved medieval town in Germany, having been spared allied bombing in WW2. Apart from the most-photographed place in all of Europe (see original 1), the town is famous for a late gothic altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider (see original 2). Grace and I drove the Romantic Road from Würzburg to Augsburg in early April. Rothenburg is one of the medieval towns along that road, together with other charming towns like Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen. At that time there were relatively few tourists in Rothenburg, unlike the throngs in the summer. The photograph was taken at about a half hour after sunset during the blue hour.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 6 comments posted
David Somali-Chow
A beautiful image taken with an iPhone. It is well-composed, sharp enough, and the colors are good, considering it was taken with an iPhone.
Posted: 05/10/2025 23:33:21
Pinaki Sarkar
The interplay between the deep blue twilight and warm, golden lights creates a captivating visual contrast. The half-timbered houses and the ornate civic building tell a silent story of history, while the illuminated cobblestone street guides the eye gracefully through the scene. The inclusion of a lone cyclist not only adds a dynamic human element but also injects a sense of scale.
The framing feels thoughtfully balanced. The warm artificial lighting seems to have been carefully employed to highlight architectural details, invoking a comforting nostalgia and drawing the viewer into the narrative of a well-preserved historic town. However, there is room for subtle refinement. For instance, while the cyclist introduces an engaging dynamic contrast, the composition might benefit from positioning this element to complement rather than compete with the architectural features.
Posted: 05/13/2025 21:07:42
Carolyn Todd-Larson
I like the warm glow of the buildings against the blue night sky. I remember visiting Rothenburg while on a river cruise. There is a lot to take in. You capture it well in the photos you shared. Posted: 05/17/2025 20:31:48
Phyllis Peterson
I've been to Rothenburg and somewhat remember the architecture there. Very sharp focus on the details in the building facades. I like that you took the photo at the blue hour; it makes the scene more dramatic. I also liked to hear the history of the Tauber River. Such a charming town! Posted: 05/18/2025 18:19:45
John Larson
I am not quite sure why you showed us the other tow images, but I am only going to comment on the main one. This is a striking image and it definitely fits the travel definition and it would fit well in a cityscape competition. I think the bottom half could use some work with burning/dodging to bring out more of the detail in that part of the image. Posted: 05/20/2025 08:22:32
Laurie Bergner
Hi Tom - I've been there too, and it's such a stunning city. Great choice to photograph in the blue hour. I think maybe you could crop a little from the right side to focus on the leading lines back into the pack of the picture, and bring out the shadows on the bottom to see more of what's going on there. I agree that it would be lovely to have the cyclist right in the center of the picture so we could see it better. Posted: 05/28/2025 15:15:48
