Notes on Kite Aerial Photography: Photo Gallery
Schloss
Charlottenburg is a fine example of Royal Prussian architecture. Our hotel was
relatively near the palace and I was able to stage a late afternoon KAP session.
I am glad I did. (Canon 24-mm, July 2000)
Schloss Charlottenburg was the pleasure mansion of Sophie Charlotte,
wife of the Elector Frederic III (King Frederic I). Erected in 1695 it was
inhabited by several Prussian kings, and extended and renovated by major
architects. Knobelsdorff built the New Wing for Frederic II. C.G. Langhans added
the theatre in 1791 and later built the lovely belvedere in the park.
K.F.Schinkel designed the mausoleum for Queen Louise (1776-1810) and the
Schinkel pavilion, an almost Caribbean structure. The castle was heavily damaged
during the war but quickly reconstructed in 1945.
The buildings and their extensive grounds now serve as a large and well used public park. This is a place of joggers and strollers, tourists and families. I enjoyed wandering around immensely. The park allows you to serendipitously discover Schindler's mausoleum and the remote Belvedere as you wander the grounds. Bravo.
After lugging my heavy KAP bag around a dozen blocks (groan) I arrived at the castle just before a modest rain thundershower. The kites and I waited out the rain underneath the canopy of a mature tree and stayed relatively dry. After the rain I was among dozens that emerged from the forest. For an hour or so there was little wind to work with and then a light breeze arrived. It was enough to get the Rokkaku aloft and later to lift the camera. I was alble to walk the length of the formal garden taking shots.
Views
of Schloss Charlottenburg taken after the rain showers passed through. In the
upper images you see the garden facade of the palace with its forecourt beyond.
The lower images show the palace's formal garden and surrounding forest. I
launched the kite and camera from the grass running down the garden's
centerline. (Canon 24-mm, July 2000)
So once again I was having a pleasant camera flight -- but this time I was in
Germany! I had wondered if my activities would cause anyone to become alarmed.
Turns out the reaction to my activities was very much the same as at home. Folks
walked by with various degrees of curiousity. The bold among them came forward
with variants of Simon Harbord's t-shirt questions. One couple stayed for around
an hour and became impromptu spokespeople by offering explanations to others
while I fussed with the gear. Virtually all of the transactions were in English.
Universal truth discovered in Berlin.
Passerby from several countries give the KAP operation a thumbs up (Canon 24-mm, July 2000)
[ Home Page | Background | Equipment | Gallery | Maps | Discussion | Others | Search | What's New ]
Comments to author: crisp@socrates.berkeley.edu . All content,
graphics and
images contained throughout are Copyright (C) 1995 - 2005 by Charles C. Benton
and are protected by United States and International copyright laws.
No text, graphic or image may be used whole or in part, individually,
or as part of a derivative work without express written permission.
All rights reserved. Revised: Sunday, June 03, 2001
URL: http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/gallery/gal170.html