Glimpses of Florence 1969, a photo from Florence, Tuscany

Photographer's Note

After close to three weeks in Rome in the summer of 1969 I proceeded by train to Florence, where I spent some 10-11 days. It was already then a city full of tourists, but I am sure there have been several times more foreign visitors in recent years. But it's easy to understand why so many come here. It's a city incredibly full of the most fantastic art and architecture, possibly holding a world record for first class art treasures per square km.

Lacking a diary from that early journey I had to do some research to recall what my photos show. I discovered that today's main photo was taken from the famous Ponte Vecchio (Old bridge), looking east towards Ponte alle Grazie. It was built after WW2, when a medieval bridge in the same place had been destroyed. Looking at fresh photos I see that there must have been some restoration done since 1969.

The 14th century tower in the distance is called Porta San Niccol�, formerly part of the city's medieval defence wall.

I took a number of photos in the museums and churches of Florence, but they are not very good and of no interest to me to show here. In the WS you can see the exterior of a Renaissance building.

Both photos were scanned from Agfacolor CT18 slides. I am fully aware of their low technical quality.

The second WS was posted by Luciano (lousat). It shows him at the age of five on a visit to Florence at about the same time that I was there.

Fis2, ikeharel, pajaran, jhm, pierrefonds, jean113, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, mcmtanyel, jemaflor, adramad, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (139362) 2021-12-28 0:35

Hi Gert,Today I make a new beautiful discovery. We didn't cross paths at Skiathos airport, but not here either. You have been in Florence for many days in July 69 and I have also been there this month, and I was 5 years old. I only have black and white photos, if you want I can get you a WS..ahaha..yours are of excellent quality, and show the Arno and the Pazzi chapel with an excellent definition considering the means of the time, you were already ahead ... Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

[workshop] [compare] +

Fis2 (170945) 2021-12-28 0:41

Witaj Gert my neigbour today :)!
A very nice photo from Your archive.
I like bridge and tower, view makes impression.
Good framing, composition and colors.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

ikeharel (113501) 2021-12-28 0:46

The sight hadn't change for centuries, Gert.
Excellent quality of the scanned photo from 52 years ago, maintained its vividness and brightness.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221781) 2021-12-28 1:18

Ciao Gert, fascinating view of Florence with fantastic reflections, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pajaran (116065) 2021-12-28 1:30

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenuitak, interesantan tekst ...
Lep deo grada, dobro pokazan sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i uhvacenim trenutkom.
Lep refleks na vodi i most u pozadini.
Dobar rad sa lepom fotografijom u radionici.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja

emka (158204) 2021-12-28 2:53

Hi Gert, Nice 52-year old picture. I spent some days in Florence ten years later. I remember that I visited many museums, and the most impressive were for me Fra Angelico frescoes in the Convento di San Marco. I was later two times but there were such crows that I just run away.
Charming view of the quiet Arno River. Porta San Niccol� is not so important. The arcades on the left side belong to the Galleria Uffizi. From the hill on the right side is the best view of Florence - Piazzale Michelangelo.
Best regards MAlgo

jhm (211736) 2021-12-28 5:55

Hello Gert,

Your #image 1 also a very nice picture
Of course the family in black and white with the man with sigaret, than was them still a then one was a man still a real guy with a cigarette, today you are an environmental disruptor.
Your main picture are real nice with wide panorama about the river and bridge
Nice sharp and clear photographed view.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John..

pierrefonds (114608) 2021-12-28 6:40

Hi Gert,

The reflections on the water are assets to the composition. The point of view is showing the details of the bridge, of the tower and of the buildings. The light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Gerrit (62042) 2021-12-28 6:53

Hello Gert,
Wonderful old colors of 69 and a fine view and composition.
I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful time.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

Tue (92548) 2021-12-28 8:09

Hej Gert,
Florence st緳 h鷮t p� min liste over byer jeg gerne vil bes鷤e. M廛ke skal jeg fors鷤e at g鷨e det s� snart som muligt nu at der stadig ikke er s� mange turister. Et fint billede med floden og reflektionerne af bygningerne i det rolige vand.
Lars

jean113 (27899) 2021-12-28 8:13

Hello Gert, you apologise for the quality, but there is nothing wrong with your two shots at all.
A scene that is instantly recognisable, and on our visit 40 years later, I can see little difference between the two.
I like the extra shot posted by Luciano, it makes a good complement.
Kind regards, Jean.

jmdias (115342) 2021-12-28 8:38

gert

the main post is almost like a today view because we can identify so much 1960's elements here. curious the building in the WS, I never had seen it before. the image with personages let me some questions: you weren't so young to be the children nor so old to be the daddy,were you the photographer?

take care

jorge

PaulVDV (63024) 2021-12-28 11:54

Hello Gert,
Also in Firenze you've been able to spend a lot of time.
I'm actually a bit jealous of it, but realize that I often wanted to go to other places too quickly and seen in retrospect, didn't stay somewhere long enough.
Excellent picture of the Cappella dei Pazzi.
In your main picture the blue sky and the buildings are well reflected in the Arno.
We also see some people at the waterfront and also a boat. Scenes that may not be seen today after all.
Best regards, Paul

COSTANTINO (116674) 2021-12-28 11:59

hello my dearest friend
have a nice day
an old photo from you but one
of your best...the quality of
the photo is excellent taken
from the famous Ponte Vecchio...
photo with great lightness
and sharpness...so many years ago...
regards
Costantino

ifege (48253) 2021-12-28 20:04

Hi Gert
Your sand has come out better than many of mine from that era but I was living in Papua new Guinea's harsh climate for keeping slides in good condition.
Another 3 interesting ones from 1969.
cheers
Ian

mcmtanyel (68707) 2021-12-28 20:39

Hello Gert,
Two lovely photos from you and one from Luciano taken around Florence. You have preserved your slides very well.
Regards,
MT
PS. Yes, Christmas themed photos do have an expiry date. Here in the US, we take down Christmas decorations on Jan. 1st, which is even before the 12 days of Christmas are over.

jemaflor (147300) 2021-12-28 23:20

Hi Gert,
So beautiful with these clam waters and the good sunlight, well captured, photogenic and paeceful perspective, tfs.

adramad (73030) 2021-12-29 7:47

Hi Gert.
Some magnificent compositions in their day and a fabulous scan, with which it is possible to visualize these beautiful and interesting composition very well, both this and those of the WS are an enjoyment to compare with today's views and compare the changes in the city.
A beautiful composition, with good colors, splendid lighting and sharpness.
Very well done, I like it
All the best for you.
Luis.

ChrisJ (171888) 2021-12-29 18:15

Hej Gert

I found Florence manageable for tourist crowds when I visited in 2013. Good reflections and framing with superb sharpness. One of the few cities I thought was over run with tourists was Prague, but that's in the Czech Republic. Venice would be the most tourist crowded city in Italy, imho. Tfs!

kasianowak (17676) 2022-02-08 5:15

Hi Gert
As usual, I can't see anything wrong with the quality of these two photos. The colours are lovely, the wonderful Mediterranean light well captured. I like the reflections andthe symmetry in the main image. It makes me want to walk into the image and go for a walk by the river.
Nice surprise from Luciano. :-)
Best wishes
Kasia