To Rome, with Love
On our 20 Anniversary my wife, Deborah, and I decided to take a trip to Italy. We knew this would be an amazing time for us as a couple, both to be together, and experience a world we could not possibly imagine. A world with such a rich history, one that spans many centuries. This trip opened up for me a whole new photographic experience. To be able to touch, hear, smell and see the sights of Italy and then to capture them through the lens of my camera has been like nothing I could have dreamed.
Mornings in Positano
Mornings in Positano for me were times of quiet reflection as I strolled to the beach in the very early hours while my wife slept.
I often started before sunrise, as the city was quiet and often still dark. As I walked slowly and the sun broke forth on the horizon I waited to see what new and exciting things I would see.
This day, I took a different route and approached the boats from a different angle and that was all it took to capture this image.
This photo of the beach at Positano was captured just before sunrise one morning. I worked at this image from many different angles, and had the added complication of only having a 'point & shoot' camera without a tripod.
I found a boat launch I could perch my camera on, and using the timed release I was able to have this stunning image forever.
When I look at this image on my wall I easily become transported back to this morning and everything else I had been thinking about mysteriously disappears as I imaging myself once again sitting on this Italian beach.
New Learnings
This is taken from the inside of the top of the bell tower looking towards the Duomo in Firenze (Florence). The abstract shape is actually the inside of the bell tower and this is the design that creates the opening.
I've called this photo new learnings because as we climbed the bell tower Deb discovered for the first time that I have a fear of heights. We both were able to have a good laugh (me a little after) of how as we realized there was one more flight of stairs to climb my anxiety got worse and worse.
Piazza del Duomo
As we sat at a cafe - paying the 'patio price' for our espresso and desert we had the Duomo in Firenze off to our left and this wonderful sight to our right.
It's no wonder they charge you so much more...it's worth it.
Antica Bottega Toscana
Just a beautiful little shop in Tuscany
Pensive Thoughts
Our day at the Vatican was coming to a close and just before we returned to Via Della Conciliazione I spotted this nun deep in thought staring straight ahead at St Peter's Basilica.
All the different elements came together for one of our favourite photos.
For a few years we wanted to keep this one all to ourselves, but have since decided to share it with the world.
Home in Grassina
During my morning walks in Grassina I found this Vespa outside of a front door. The colours of the flowers caused me to pause here for quite a long time.
I deliberately composed this shot to include the flowers in the overhanging baskets.
Arezzo at Lunch
We were in Arezzo looking for a restaurant to have lunch. As we walked along the covered corridor next to the Piazza Grande these two gentlemen were relaxing and enjoying a cigarette and a break.
The perfect framing of the sun through the arches of the corridor, the relaxed composure of the men - one with his foot up on the table - was a photograph I couldn't pass up.
Who Is My Neighbour? (The Good Samaritan)
Luke 10:25...an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus...
v. 29: But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
This image taken only minutes from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome stopped me literally in my tracks. The solitude of this man amongst the pigeons and litter strewn street captured my eye and my heart. As I captured this moment, I was reminded of those verses in Luke chapter 10.
Young Love in an Old Fashioned Way
Sometimes you have to get older, retire and have the time to spend together to re-capture the love of your youth.
At least that's what I saw when I saw this couple enjoying a glass of wine looking out at the Piazza Grande in Arezzo.
Spiral Staircase - Vatican Museum
This staircase when viewed from above just fascinated and intrigued me.