Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (46)
bmac62
A most famous building but I've never seen it photographed from this vantage point before...way to find a unique POV. All the books say find a place the tourists don't know about. Success! Well done.
flora-crassella
wonderful image!!!!
Fidelity2
My dear friend, you are a true master. 5+.
lyron
Fantastic view!!!
tennesseecowgirl
Great shot Sig.. :)
virginiese
Love the arch : it really had something to the atmosphere. Nice picture. I've never been in Pisa and I thank you for sharing this dear Sig !
Richardphotos
outstanding view of an icon.first time to see this perspective also
SSoffia
EXCELLENT CAPTURE & BEAUTIFUL COLORS :)
fredster66
Stunning shot with a great perspective!
marcopolinski
from the dark into the light ... nice capture!
ElizaB
wonderful pov....I have stood in the very place you took this shot...it was the meeting place with our guide...Pisa like so much of Italy has to be seen to be believed..the resourcefulness, ingenuity and creativity of mankind is a wonder to behold...thank you for sharing this capture
MrsLubner
Good heavens, I didn't think it leaned that much! You have to wonder how they keep it standing when so many structures in the U.S. have little or no tilt and come crashing down even with expensive efforts to keep them whole.
timtripp
unusual vantage point... so often famous buildings are thought to exist alone without context. almost all italian buildings have context and you show that here. love it.
jeroni
Splendid composition and colors my friend
thevolunteer
I have never seen a picture of it like this before. Great guidelines. I bet it is leaning even more today. Nice shot and natural framing. Aloha
ysvry
great foto, been there done that :P when i vistited it was still open for public some where in the late 70's later they closed it cause it was getting too dangerous, nowadays its was straightened again and open to public again.
danob
Wonderful the natural frame adds to the lean of this famous landmark
CavalierLady
Beautiful framing in that archway, Sig... great shot !
PIERRE25
Excellente photo, bravo!
junge1
Thanks for all the comments. In 2007 I was on top of the tower - 25 people at one time. They have stabilized the ground around the tower, and apparently there is no additional tilt occuring now. They have tried counter-balance weights, freezing of the ground etc. When it was first discovered during the construction, additional construction activity stopped for about 125 years. When they continued they compensated for the tilt by building straight up. There is a distinct kink (for a lack of a better word) halfway up the tower. I am writing this from memory, and I hope that everything I mentioned here is correct lol. This will be my last upload for a week plus. Sig...
flaviok
Uma fantástica foto, obrigado pelos esclarecimentos acima é impressionante, aplausos (5)
Miska7
Great POV and lighting! Nice shot.
amanda_a42
Marvelous capture! you bring me oh so lovely memories :-)
MrsRatbag
A wonderful scene -- great shot!
yons
What a great way to see the tower after seeing the same-o-some-o shots in the past. Good work mate.
Minda
beautiful scene and wonderful shot sig..great work as always..
danapommet
Awesome POV. Nice to have a building in the frame to see the tilt. Thanks for sharing this one. Dana P
renecyberdoc
well hopefully they are working on it to sustain it,i saw in tv recently. good shot from this angle.
Hendesse
Excellent shot of this historical place. The POV is fantastic!
tallpindo
Soil tests...they didn't condemn the Midland nuclear plant until long after it was almost fully erected. Everyone always believes that their chosen ground is the most adaquate for construction. It's...patriotic!!