With the topic of “Focus on the Subject” selected for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week by Patti and with the upcoming change to Daylight Savings Time on November 1st, we’ve decided to focus on time. And, for us, there has been no more memorable timepiece we’ve seen than the Astronomical Clock in Prague, Czech Republic.

Time is precious. Make sure you spend it with the right people.
Anonymous
Just finding a spot to view the clock can be difficult. Hundreds line up as early as half past the hour at Old Town Hall in Old Town Square to view the one-minute “performance” of the clock. But it took us three or four times of lining up early and watching the hourly time change to know what to focus on from start to finish.

The clock — established in 1410, making it the fourth oldest clock in existence — is composed of three clocks: an astrolabe showing signs of the zodiac, a calendar clock showing the months, and a clock flanked by saints with the 12 apostles moving past the windows above. As amateur photographers, we wanted to capture all the movements, but we didn’t know where or when to focus our cameras on the exact “right” spot.

My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.
Bill Gates
So, with several viewings, we learned to focus our cameras on the subjects, one at a time.
First, the skeleton rings the bell, so he became our first capture.

Then we re-focused as saints and other figures moved their heads or parts of their bodies.

Throughout it all, however, we were also looking up, trying to capture any of the twelve apostles as moved, assembly-line style, past two small windows.

Finally (and it took us three viewings to realize this), we focused on the cock at the very top. When he crows, the “show” has ended.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
J. R. R. Tolkein
And so by changing our focus, we were able to see more of the workings of the clock as each moved in turn, but we had to move quickly. The whole show lasted only a minute. Knowing where to look, however, made the difference as we tried to capture each event.
If you would like to see more of the movements of the Astronomical Clock in Prague, take a look at this video from the Official Tourist Website from Prague.

Back in the present: Don’t forget to focus on the time change this weekend. We’ll be setting our clocks one hour ahead on October 31st and getting up to more light earlier in the day on November 1st. If you’re an early morning photographer, you’ll probably be happy to see this coming.
To participate in this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #120, link your post to Patti’s blog and use the tag Lens-Artists. We look forward to seeing your area of focus!
Travel timely,
Rusha and Bert
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It’s always fun to get home and see what I’ve actually captured, especially since I know I won’t get a second chance to return!
Rupali
Wonderful shots Rusha.
philosophy through photography
Beautiful clicks my friend.
Great clock and interesting focus angles.
Thank you
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for taking a look. I’d love a return trip, now that I know the sequence of the clock’s chiming!
Sue (Mac's Girl)
Wow! The clock is amazing and you have captured all its different aspects beautifully, Rusha.
Oh, the Places We See
We were really taken with Prague, the Square, and this clock. A great trip, for sure!!
sheetalbravon
What an amazing post ! I had heard of this clock but never really paid attention. The photos are beautiful and the details are stunning. Truly a magnificent clock.
Oh, the Places We See
It really is a marvel. I’d love to see it again. Thanks for commenting!
Toonsarah
This really shows the value of research and planning before taking your photos in many cases 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Well, it did take me three tries, but how fun anyway!
JohnRH
Excellent tour. Positively astronomical. I have seen the clock, but not so well as when you describe it. Well done.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, John. It was a good time just hanging out at the Square so we could see it again and again!!!
Khürt Williams
Wow! I think that’s the coolest clock I have ever seen. I can imagine all the gears and springs working away behind the clock face.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s about the coolest clock we’ve ever seen, and there’s more to it than what I described. So complex yet beautiful!
Jyothi
Amazing captures!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for taking a look! The memory of seeing that clock has stayed with us for several years now, and I’d still like to return. The more I read about its creation and the revolving circles, the more impressed I am.
Jyothi
Yes.. very impressive!
gallivance.net
I absolutely love this clock Rusha, and we saw it on our trip to Prague last year. I’ve always been interested in the concept timekeeping when it was first done. City clocks were rare and a big deal at the time, and one this phantasmagorical must have been like a trip to Disney for the peasants coming to town. You did a good job of focusing on each of the parts and what it does, because there’s a lot going on with this baby. Fun post. ~James
Oh, the Places We See
You are so right — so much going on. And I still don’t understand all the circles and how anyone gets much information, especially standing in a busy square like that. But it’s sort of Disneyesque in a way — little mechanical parts all performing at once, much to the delight of the patrons. Would go back to Prague in a heartbeat and make a beeline for the clock!!!
pattimoed
We were supposed to go to Prague in March, but hopefully we’ll be able to go post-covid. I’ll make sure to take a close look at this marvelous clock. Your shots really capture all the intricate parts of it. Great details and great explanation of all the moving parts!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for lovely compliments. We really didn’t see much the first time — too overwhelmed with what the clock did in one short minute. But a second look confirmed what I suspected: this is a masterpiece, one that Prague should be very proud to show off. Hope you get there, Patti!
pattimoed
Thanks, Rusha! We’ll come prepared to take lots of photos.
Tina Schell
OK, I am ashamed to admit that we visited and saw the clock but I never tried to capture the various elements as they presented themselves. In fact, I never got a very good image of the clock at all since it is so long and one needs to shoot from below. So good for you Rusha, for giving it its proper respect and attention!!! And you’re right, the perfect choice for the changing of our clock this week!
Oh, the Places We See
I was drawn to this clock immediately because I couldn’t figure out why there were three circles and what each could do. I’m still puzzled, but but I started enjoying the experience on another level. It’s almost Disneyesque in a way . . . performers on timers that enthrall us in various ways. So much fun. And a great thing to focus on when in Prague. I’d love to go back!!!
Ingrid
Fascinating clock! I’m not sure I would’ve figured how best to photograph it. You did a great job focusing and capturing the details.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Ingrid. I couldn’t have done it the first time. But by the third time, I had an understanding of the timeline and where to focus the camera. It’s a treat to see this clock!! Thanks for commenting.
Sue
Great set of images, Rusha! Well focussed!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Sue. I’d do it all again if I could get back to Prague. Sigh!
Sue
Sigh, indeed….🙁
Amy
Beautiful photos, Rusha. I had a hard time to take photos of this special clock due to the large crowd. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
It was hard to focus— from the crowd to the quick action. But I loved that clock!!!
WanderingCanadians
This brings back such fond memories of when we visited Prague last year. Did you visit Old Town Hall? There is a viewing platform there, which provides a closer view of the twelve apostles when they are not in rotation.
Oh, the Places We See
We didn’t. So don’t you think we owe it to ourselves to book a return trip? Just one thing holding us back!! Thx for commenting. Hope you enjoyed the clock as well.
pam@ichoosethis
Gorgeous shots of the details of the clock!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I wish I had had one of the giant telephoto lenses to capture more details. But I would have probably fallen into the crowd with the weight of it!!!
pam@ichoosethis
They are heavy!!!
cindy knoke
Wonderful captures of a magical city.
Oh, the Places We See
Prague remains one of our favorite spots in the world. And that whole square is a place I’d love to see again.