Siena Cathedral inc Piccolomini Library

Getting around to putting up more of my shots that I took in Italy last month. Here's a selection that I took of/in Siena cathedral including the jaw-droppingly beautiful Piccolomini library inside.

First off a photomerged panorama. My kit lens isn't wide enough to take in this whole shot, so this is made from 3 exposures and a troublesome crane was cloned/healed out:

Very nice shots I think! One of the few places in the world I would love to visit!

Thanks a lot, hope you get to see it some time for yourself!

Above and beyond the beautiful architecture, it's nice to see how well the kit lens worked for you, particularly with the indoor shots. Nice captures and thanks for sharing.

Lovely shots, though I'd play a bit with #1 to remove the vertical distortion. If you ever have a chance to get to Lincoln Minster, especially when it's open after dark (not difficult in the winter) give that a try. That's also incredible!

Thanks guys!

Peterbj7, I may get over to Lincoln some time [I live in Leicester] as IIRC there's a Christmas market there that's quite nice too.

As far as the vertical distortion is concerned, it's already had quite a bit removed already [around 60 on the PS slider IIRC] and I found that pushing it any more actually made the image look quite unreal so the image you see is probably the best result overall.

Sunbeast, the kit lens certainly appears to punch above it's weight, although I'd have rather have had a lens a little quicker for those interior shots - I took loads of shots in the knowledge that quite a few were bound to be a little blurred. hoping that at least one would come through sharp enough.

What you want to do in Lincoln (Minster) is go high inside. Get yourself on one of the roof tours, and watch out for some marvellous vistas of the inside. You may not have long to get a shot so be prepared - no flash and a fairly fast lens. Looking at your line up I'd probably just take the standard lens and the WA telephoto - there's a heck of a lot of climbing and many of the staircases and doorways are very restricting, so don't carry more than you need. I think I'd have the standard lens on by default.

Sorry, I wrote the above based on a FF camera. In your case perhaps have the 18-55 as default, plus the 50mm in your pocket. When I've been up there I've also taken a 70-210 (FF so equivalent to your 75-300) but for a first visit I'd just concentrate on the wider vistas. Be prepared for multiple exposure bracketing.

If you have ever thought of getting an UWA lens, whether prime or zoom, get it before you visit Lincoln. You'll put it to a lot of use!

If you're in the nave after dark when the outside floodlights are on, lie on your back and photograph the fan vaulting. If you're lucky enough to get this those pictures will be the ones you'll treasure.

I was fortunate in that having sung in the choir there I knew all the staff and in those days they were particularly accommodating. I went to places that no public roof tour sees, and got pictures of things most people never see. I even had my own keys so I could go in well after dark when the building was deserted, with the floodlights on. That was way back in film days though, at least a quarter of a century ago, and those pictures are stored in my house in England while I'm stuck here in the Caribbean. A few of my pictures did find their way into one of the guidebooks then, but I'm sure that's all changed since.

IMO that building is the most spectacular I have ever visited, and I feel very warmly towards it. Sadly I haven't seen it in over 5 years, so if you do get some good shots be sure to post them here!

Thanks for the advice, I'll try to get over some time.

A little further across for me, and I haven't been in years, but I seem to remember Ely cathedral having a fairly spectacular starred ceiling.

Having said which, I grew up in and around York, so I've a soft spot for the Minster and sang there a few times too.

Now the nights are closing in, it's going to be regrettably easy to get some shots with the sun down!

Ely is gorgeous, if freezing cold in winter. The best feature is the octagonal central tower, and a picture looking vertically up under it is stunning. But Ely Cathedral is full of gems. Be prepared to stump up a fiver or so - they need the money as the building is in constant fear of falling down.

If you're going to Ely then find out when the services at King's College Cambridge are and get in to see the chapel. Take a hidden compact, as I don't think photography is allowed. Nor will they let you in unless there is a service.

I've been to York Minster but only as a tourist, and my main memory was of noisy hordes of foreign students. I'd love to go there when it's quiet, but I don't know if there is such a time. By contrast, Lincoln is often deserted.