
Manuel Votta
Italian amateur photographer | Architecture, landscapes/cityscapes, long exposures, HDR
Birthday: 04/07
His ProfilesRankThis is the rank of 'Manuel Votta' out of all Google+ Profiles.: 3,046 (GenderRankFor the gender 'Men'.: 1,717)
His ProfilesRankThis is the rank of 'Manuel Votta' out of all Google+ Profiles. in Italy: 45 (GenderRankFor the gender 'Men'.: 26)
Followers: 19,315
Following: 3,587
Cream of the Crop: 05/15/2012
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Activity
Average numbers for the latest postings:
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28 +1's per posting'Current posts' means the last 50 posts that are at the most 4 weeks old. So this metric gives a picture of how many +1's someone has received on his or her posts recently.
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Latest postings

2013-05-17 22:59:15 (23 comments, 0 reshares, 76 +1s)
Dark Geometry I | Archistracts II
Inspired by +Julia Anna Gospodarou, +Joel Tjintjelaar and +John Kosmopoulos's great works, my intention is to create a series of images where the simple beauty of geometry in architecture is the subject.
I worked for quite some time on this photo to enhance and emphasize its geometrical shapes and lines, that's why I decided to play with a mix of light/shadows and strong contrasts.
My very first idea was to take some long exposures, in order to capture the cloud streaks in the sky. Unfortunately that day it was all gray and dull, so I went for normal shots instead of LE.
In post-processing I opted for a pure black sky to eliminate any distraction.
Even if this is the first image I processed in this way (and the technique is still very embryonic), I like how it came out!
About the su... more »


2013-05-13 13:04:48 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 35 +1s)
Pathway To The Sky | Archistracts I
First image of a series of Archistracts (Architectural Abstract Images, idea and name created by +John Kosmopoulos) taken in London, UK.
This is the colored version, I'm working on a B&W one as well. I will probably publish it sooner or later.
#ArchitecturalVisions (+Architectural Visions), curated by +Julia Anna Gospodarou and +Joel Tjintjelaar;
#Archistract , by +John Kosmopoulos;
#photography #fotografia #colors #architecture #vision #abstract #london #uk #lines #pathway


2013-05-10 13:03:50 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)
Me on top of the Shard - Behind The Scenes
The Shard, London, UK
You know I don't usually post photos of me or behind the scenes shots, but I particularly liked this one.
It was taken by my girlfriend with her Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone, while we were on top of The Shard (currently the highest skyscraper in Europe) during our latest trip to London.
No need to say that the view from the panoramic floor on top of The Shard is breathtaking.. Totally worth the quite expensive (30 pounds/each) ticket!
I'm processing the photos, I will try to publish something very soon. Stay tuned :)
#photography #fotografia #london #uk #shard #theshard #behindthescenes #bts #s3 #smartphone

2013-05-09 12:25:33 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)
Long exposure photography and B&W Masterclass video tutorials now released!
If you want to learn to create award winning B&W seascape and architectural photos like mine but don't have the chance to attend one of my workshops, then this is a great alternative:
As from today, a new series of video tutorials on my long exposure seascape and architectural photography and also on my complete B&W workflow has been released.
This series of video tutorials has been produced with professional videoproducers from Fototv.com (world's largest WebTV about photography) and consists of 15 separate parts and a bonus interview. Also included are 2 TIF files of long exposure photos I've shot so you can try out the BW conversions yourself. See for a Youtube preview on what's covered here: Black and White Photography - Long Exposure Masterclass
You can buy the... more »

2013-05-07 18:40:42 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)
I'm back home to Italy. Unfortunately my short visit to London lasted a week-end only.. And obviously I already want to go there again as soon as possible!
Now it's time to start to process some RAW files ;)

2013-05-05 09:36:09 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)
Sony World Photography Awards - Exhibition
Somerset House, London, UK
As promised to my good friend +Julia Anna Gospodarou (shortlisted in the Architecture category), yesterday I went to the SWPA Exhibition at Somerset House here in London.
Ok, yes, I'm in London till Monday evening, but I couldn't say anything before now because it was a surprise for my sister's birthday! She lives in London and she IS on Google+ :P
It was an amazing exhibition, with so many wonderful photos hanging all over the walls of the West Wing (you can get more information here: http://www.worldphoto.org/worldphotolondon/exhibitions/).
It's a pity that only the winner, 2nd place and 3rd place's artists were showcased.. Shortlisted photos were just looping through a TV monitor in a corner.
I really wanted to admire Julia's work printed out! :)... more »

2013-04-28 08:11:30 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)
Leaving for a 2-days trip to Ascoli Piceno (small town in Marche region, Italy). Let's see if I can take a couple photos.. :)
See you soon!
#photography #fotografia #trip #marche #italy #italia


2013-04-17 13:58:33 (31 comments, 2 reshares, 40 +1s)
Bigger Cover Photo!
I finally decided to update my profile to the big cover photo layout (yes, I was still using the separated scrapbook images!)
What do you think about my new cover? Do you like it? Does it show up well?
I'm still struggling against G+ to have my cover photo in the exact aspect I uploaded it. Actually it should be a bit sharper (like in the original format), but I think I'm at a good point.
I also used the suggested max size (i.e. 2120x1192 pixels) but it seems G+ is still cropping/resizing it to 2048x1152px, making it a bit less crisp grrrr..
Any idea? Thank you in advance :)
UPDATE: I tried to re-size the original photo in Photoshop CS5 by saving it directly to 2048x1152px, but it seems G+ is still cropping/re-adjusting it! Unbelievable :P
#photography #fotografia #... more »


2013-04-14 12:58:43 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 35 +1s)
New Shoulder Bag
Wohoo, I've just received a belated (but always welcome) birthday present: a shiny new Manfrotto Bella VI shoulder bag!
I so needed one of them, because I just had a camera backpack until today. Now I can easily and safely carry around my camera during shootings :)
Yay!!
#photography #fotografia #manfrotto #BellaVI #birthdaygift

2013-04-07 23:57:56 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)
I just want to thank everyone very much for the Birthday wishes! I hope I've answered all of you!
And btw, you are AMAZING :)
Many thanks again, you really made my day!
#happybirthday #me #thankyou


2013-04-06 14:51:22 (30 comments, 2 reshares, 81 +1s)
Blue Hour In Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy
This is another version (taken at blue hour) of a shot you can find here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/109633732820372995629/posts/9EwodrQwriQ
Technically, it's a 6-images stitched panorama taken handheld (unfortunately you cannot use tripods there!)
#ItalyFriday (+ItalyFriday), curated by +Elia Locardi;
#PlusPhotoExtract , curated by +Jarek Klimek
#photography #fotografia #panorama #colors #stitched #Italy +Slow Italy #Italia #siena #tuscany #bluehour

2013-03-26 11:24:39 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 12 +1s)
Google/NIK software just released the complete Nik collection by Google with of course my favorite plug-in Silver Efex Pro2 with a 70% price reduction for the complete package with all plug-ins - Highly recommendable software for the serious photographer!
http://www.niksoftware.com/nikcollection/usa/index.php?view=intro%2Fmain.shtml
Oh and I was told that the following discount code should also work for this new product to get an additional 15% off: Code - JEwHGbsNMB
If you've already purchased one or more Nik plug-ins in the past, then don't worry: you will be upgraded to the entire Nik Collection by Google for free.


2013-03-17 23:34:26 (28 comments, 2 reshares, 102 +1s)
On Top Of The World
Near Sant'Antimo, Tuscany, Italy.
Mountain view above the clouds taken near the small village of Sant'Antimo in Tuscany, Italy.
#MonochromeMonday (+Monochrome Monday), curated by my friends +Hans Berendsen +Jerry Johnson and +Steve Barge;
#ItalyFriday (+ItalyFriday), curated by +Elia Locardi;
#LandscapePhotography (+Landscape Photography), curated by +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman and +Ben T;
#EuropeanPhotography (+European Photo), curated by +Charles Lupica +Janusz Brakoniecki +Jean-Louis LAURENCE +Michael Muraz +Susanne Ramharter +Ela Kupiec and +Ugo Cei;
#PlusPhotoExtract , curated by +Jarek Klimek
#photography #fotografia #bw #bwphotography #monochrome #landscape #tuscany #toscana #mountain #italy #italia +Slow Ita... more »


2013-03-13 17:08:45 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 33 +1s)
I-AM-SPEECHLESS
Big news today: my first interview ever went live!
I am really honored and I want to thank my friend +Kami Naru and her blog (located at http://photoartists-united.blogspot.it) for the interest in my photographies!
I must admit it took me some hours to answer all the questions, since it was my first time with this kind of things. I hope that what I wrote makes any sense :P
Thank you again Kami, you really made my day!


2013-03-05 14:43:22 (25 comments, 0 reshares, 80 +1s)
Myself in Low-Key
I know, I know.. I usually don't shoot people! But this time it's not people, it is ME :)
To be honest it was my first attempt in self-portraits, that's why it took me some time to figure out even a simple set-up. I used a single Nikon Speedlight SB-25 (I've got only that little one) positioned to the right of my face, at a distance of about 30-40 cm and limited to 1/64th of its power.
I would have liked to try to use also a dish reflector on the left side, but actually I don't have one :P
I will probably buy one of them and re-try this kind of shot in the future.
Anyway, I had much fun shooting myself! I will do better next time!
Ps: I took this shot to complete the first weekly assignment (self-portrait) inside the +52 Shades of Gray project/community, hosted by my friend +Charles Lupica. Thank you ... more »


2013-02-28 14:26:23 (14 comments, 3 reshares, 81 +1s)
The Gherkin and the Moon
30 St Mary Axe, London, UK
This is a re-processing of one of my old architectural shots from London.
I wanted to give it a try with Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2 (which I didn't use at the time) and it came out quite well I think :)
The subject is obviously the well-known 30 St Mary Axe skyscraper (formerly Swiss Re Building and informally called The Gherkin by people, for its curious shape), one of the most famous buildings in London.
I cannot wait to go back there!
#ArchitecturalVisions (+Architectural Visions), curated by +Julia Anna Gospodarou and +Joel Tjintjelaar;
#BWFineArtLE (+Black and White Fine Art Photography Gallery), curated by +Joel Tjintjelaar;
#EuropeanPhotography (+European Photo), curated by +Charles Lupica +Janusz Brakoniecki +Jean-Louis LAURENCE +Susanne Ramhar... more »


2013-02-22 14:11:11 (17 comments, 2 reshares, 62 +1s)
Positano Beach in B&W
Positano, Costiera Amalfitana, Italy
This is the B&W version of a photo I posted quite some time ago, from my little trip to the fabulous Amalfi Coast in 2012.
Technically it is a 6-images stitched panorama taken handheld, and then converted to B&W using Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2.
#ItalyFriday (+ItalyFriday), curated by +Elia Locardi (I know Elia, I need a panoramic head like yours! :P)
#LandscapePhotography (+Landscape Photography), curated by +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +Bill Wood +David Heath Williams +Ben T +paul t beard and +Jim Warthman;
#EuropeanPhotography (+European Photo), curated by +Charles Lupica +Janusz Brakoniecki +Jean-Louis LAURENCE +Susanne Ramharter and +Michael Muraz;
#WideWednesdayPanorama (+WideWednesdayPanorama), curated by +Ken McMahon and +David Heath Williams;
... more »


2013-02-22 14:12:57 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 77 +1s)
Tuscan Panorama
Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy
This is a 6-images stitched panorama (handheld) of the wonderful Val D'Orcia in Tuscany, Italy.
The little town on top of the hill in the right part of the photo is Pienza, considered the "touchstone of Renaissance urbanism" and declared a World Heritage Site in 1996 by UNESCO.
#MonochromeMonday (+Monochrome Monday), curated by +Hans Berendsen +Jerry Johnson +Nurcan Azaz and +Steve Barge;
#LandscapePhotography (+Landscape Photography), curated by +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Ben T +Bill Wood and +Jim Warthman;
#EuropeanPhotography (+European Photo), curated by +Charles Lupica +Susanne Ramharter +Janusz Brakoniecki +Jean-Louis LAURENCE and +Michael Muraz;
#ItalyFriday (+ItalyFriday), curated by +Elia Locardi;
