Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian capital of Budapest was so named in 1873 when the west banks of the Danube River, Buda and Óbuda, were united with Pest on the eastern side. Known as the Pearl of Danube, the city of Budapest has more thermal spas than any other in the world; it is also lays claim to having the second oldest subway network after London.

I spent a week in April this year. Have been to busy with commercial shoots since to get around to updating the blog, but finally have, so here are my favourite images from the trip.

Interior of Callas Cafe, Budapest, Hungary

After a morning flight out to Budapest from Luton I made the famous ‘Callas Cafe’ my first stop, gobbling a goulash to get into the swing of things.

Interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István-bazilika), Budapest, Hungary

Just five minutes away is the stunning St Stephen’s Basilica which is the main Cathedral for the city, and one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I used a Nikon 24mm Perspective Control lens to shift upwards on this shot, and show more of the upper details.

Evening light on the Hungarian Parliament Building & Danube River, Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian Parliament Building & Danube River at night, Budapest, Hungary

The Parliament Building looks amazing in daylight and at night because it is so well lit up (much like its inspiration – Westminster Houses of Parliament).

Chain Bridge at night, Budapest, Hungary

Buda & Danube River at night, Budapest, Hungary

Sunrise behind the Hungarian Parliament Building & Danube River, Budapest, Hungary

I booked an uber cab at a shockingly early time to get me back downtown to shoot the sunrise.

Interior of The New York Kávéház (Cafe), Budapest, Hungary

Another famous cafe interior I had read about – The New York Cafe, since it is pretty much all tourists inside they are pretty laid back about photography inside.

Interior of The Dohány Street Synagogue, Erzsébetváros, Budapest, Hungary

I rested the camera (Nikon D810) flat on the floor and triggered via the self timer function for this shot looking back at the ornate ceiling of the Synagogue.

Interior of The Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary

Interior of Central Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary

I paid a visit to the Central Market Hall, always good places to shoot some candid stuff and to document the local produce…

Paprika stall, Central Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary

Detail of shopfront, Central Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary

Detail of Salami stall, Central Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary

Central Market Hall, Budapest, Hungary

Exterior of Vigadó concert hall, Budapest, Hungary

Detail of Tram, Budapest, Hungary

Exterior of Vigadó concert hall, Budapest, Hungary

With a shot like this I’m often waiting for the right person to stride past, and give the frame some human interest, this businessman with suitcase and phone came at the right time!

Silhouette of Statue at twilight from Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary

Royal Palace of Buda, Budapest, Hungary

View over River Danube, Chain Bridge and Hungarian Parliament Building at night, Budapest, Hungary

I shot the twilight from the heights of Buda Castle which provides panoramic views over the city. Used the Nikon 70-200mm to get in tight on this view of The Bridge and Parliament.

View from Fisherman’s Bastion over Danube River & Hungarian Parliament Building at dawn, Budapest, Hungary

Another painfully early start to get to The Fisherman’s Bastion in time for sunrise, but the start to the day was glorious and well worth it.

Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

View from Fisherman’s Bastion over Danube River & Hungarian Parliament Building at dawn, Budapest, Hungary

Exterior of Matthias Church at dawn, Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Classic architecture near Batthyány ter, Budapest, Hungary

Man watching sunrise from Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

With nobody about, and this scene needing a figure I used self timer and stepped in m

Exterior of Matthias Church at dawn, Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Sunrise behind the Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary

The sun had already been up for about an hour and a half by now but I could see this shot working and its always good to squeeze a little more out of shoot. By partially obscuring the sun behind the tree it didn’t overpower, then just had to time it with the runner getting his morning exercise.

Men playing chess, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest, Hungary

Exterior of Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest, Hungary

Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest, Hungary

The Széchenyi Baths are the perfect place to go after a night out in the cities bars, with 2 large pools, saunas, steam rooms, cold baths it has everything – absolutely loved this place and could have stayed all day if my friends didn’t want to leave for a pint!