Category : Reader Friendly
While travelling in the North of Italy, one of the key cities to visit was of course, Florence. The old town of the city, like most ‘old towns’ seemed to cater to tourists but with a twist. Although Firenze was guilty of the same, it was not like other cities, where their core is utterly shock-full of ‘tourist stores,’ selling nothing more than trinkets and cheap “I was in Roma” t-shirts.
Their core is full of classic architecture, churches and museums but meters away you have vibrant, if posh stores. Name brand stores, shoulder to shoulder to cafe’s, pubs, 1950’s inspired cafes. All while people go to the nearby grocery store along with church goers, hardly a tourist store to be found. This is a neighborhood, an actual functioning part of the city, not just a tourist trap. Like say, Niagara Falls.
The city is full of beauty, of history, a single visit does not do it justice.
This photograph was taken from the Piazza Michelangelo, atop a hill which overlooks the city. Photos from his viewpoint abound however, I specifically waited until sunset to make my way (on foot, no less, for that extra added touch of adventure) here, in order to catch something a little more mundane than this gorgeous city during midday. 🙂
Capture was taken with a D700, ISO 200Nikon 17-50, 35mm (for focus) @ f/4.0 Tripod
While playing a support role at a wedding. As I too was part of the wedding and a full-time photographer had been hired to the bulk of the work, I nevertheless decided to linger around and get a few good shots.
Lacking an external flash, I was challenged by the poor lighting since escalating to a higher ISO is always ill-advised when you want your captures to stay as crisp as possible.
Luckily, at one end of the hall a set of track lights and a shiny hardwood floor helped to reflect some extra lighting.
So as the party dissipated, the bride was asked to assume some poses for me and a few of the guests with cameras. Side by side, family stood near providing ideas which inspired me to take this particular capture. Along with the bride’s facial expression, her eyes portray subjugation with a hint of coyness. Add to this her white dress contrasting the two faceless figures standing ominously at both sides, one cannot escape a mounting sense of claustrophobia. While never forgetting that she, ironically, just tied the knot.
Taken with a Nikon D700, 50mm, ISO 6400, 1/640
As part of my ongoing photography work, this capture, was taken at the entrance to The Vatican Museums. The Spiral staircase or Double Helix as it is sometimes referred to, is arguably one of the top 10 most know in the world and one of the most photographed. As such, like in anything else, capturing this beautiful piece designed by Giuseppe Momo required skill and the right timing.
Luckily, the random group of tourists photographing at the bottom while the staircase was (surprisingly) empty during my composing added a sense of exclusivity which is rare to achieve in a building always teeming with people. Specially as the Vatican is extremely conservative and protective about providing permits to shoot any of their assets. Particularly their art. I do not blame them, as it is a way to protect what they own and also a source of income.
As far as the photo itself, it was shot with Nikon D700 with a 17-35mm lenses. Handheld as again, due to traffic, the use of tripods is forbidden. This shot was taken minutes after they opened their doors to the public.
Sometimes, a shot, an idea comes to you just like that. Something occurs in front of your lenses, simply screaming to be captured. Will it come out right? Will it blow your mind once you see it on print? Many times, you already know even before you press the shutter.
However there are always subtle moments happening all around us. Muted and simple. Not fast nor intense. Not high-speed nor self-indulgent. They are just there. Like these simple drops falling on a random car’s windshield during a heavy rain. They are just there, Rainin’