"Neither glowing window nor hut heated by a chimneyless stove" – a line by A. Pushkin came to my mind while approaching to Belozersk. Night, no villages, just turns, as all villages are situated aside of the modern road. Of course, I totally forgot the way, since my first and only visit there took place some 9 or 10 years ago. The town's sodium lamps appeared in darkness all of sudden.
Now about the subject-matter. In autumn the sunrise point direction is right east of the town what creates an opportunity to avoid getting into counterlight. I summer of course the situation is different, as the sunrise point shifts north-eastwards. That must be kept in mind. Landscape and architectural photography sessions in evening are not advisable, since the landscape in itself you will beyond doubt take, but an architecture will not work its best as altar parts of orthodox temples are east-oriented. So one has to choose between two options: morning with its fog, mist and difficult lighting conditions (up to counterlight) or nothing. Yes, if your purpose is taking the lake views, including those taken from a beach or strand that would be preferable taking them in evening.
As for shooting points on the rampart, its western semicircle is of no avail, unless your task is taking the town views (remember, in morning only). The only observation spot featuring panoramic vistas of the lake and town, including architectural monuments, is situated on the north-eastern quarter.
Old narrow streets cause a problem with fisheye and/or vertical perspective while shooting temples. My guess is that a 16-mm lense can provide a solution.
While mapping out your program time consumtion should be taken into account: as you will have to run a lot, there is a risk of failing to carry all scheduled tasks out. For one morning you can take only the rampart with panoramas, inner views of the Kremlin, Our Graious Savior church and possibly something else nearabouts whereas there are some more ancient churches, including those in a half-ruined cobndition, but time is just that. In morning you will have 20-40 minutes before sunrise and the same later, may be an hour at best, if you are lucky enought to meet light clouds. That would suffise just for those points.
Not night, actually 20 minutes before sunrise. The image is just underexposed and heavily shopped.
Minutes before sunrise. The Most Gracious Saviour church and the lake:
Panorama of Belozersk on the lake at the moment of sunrise:
The same from another position:
First sunrays touching upon The Most Gracious Saviour church:
Panoramic view from another point:
The day has set in:
An old moat, in former times it was flooded:
An ancient bridge:
Belozersk Kremlin entrance:
Transfiguration of Our Savior Cathedral (presently museum):
Belozersk Kremlin view from the rampart:
The Most Gracious Saviour church:
I hope, what wasn't completed this time, will be done next year.
