Happy Halloween! And Happy Travels!
I would kill to live in an apartment in Paris with groovy green shutters like that. Well, maybe kill is too harsh a picture to paint. Work. I'd work my derrière off to live in an apartment in Paris with groovy green shutters like that. Since that isn't going to ever be likely, guess I'll have to make do with renting a pad like that for my next adventure of a temporary life in Paris. How cute!
Atlantis, anyone?
I love reflection travel photos like this in windows or water. What a wonderful way to enjoy the moment and cherish the memory back home.
Another place with really tall, modern buildings that I'd love to see (and photograph) with my own eyes is Dubai. I imagine it to be a more modern and constrained - but even further out there, somehow; at the same time - Las Vegas. Nowhere else (except elsewhere in the UAE and greater Middle East) is so much money being poured into building a modern Mecca to the luxe life. I actually have a friend who works for an American consulting firm, and he and his new wife recently moved to Dubai to live; it's where he's presently consulting. I really need to take advantage of that and go visit. Seeing as how expensive the hotels are (they're nearly all five-star operations), that might be the only way I'll ever get to experience Dubai. I gotta get on that before my friend's gig ends and they moves back to the States!
I don't have a proper tilt-shift lens, so the tilt-shifts in my personal portfolio (to date) are all post-production fakes. But no less fun! Whether real or Photoshopped after the fact, looking at the world in miniature through a tilted, shifty lens is always an eye-opening perspective. Warped can be wonderful, eh?
Wow. Just wow. Magnifique!
See, this is why in all my trips to Paris I've never spent more than a few hours - if that - in the Louvre. And why I've never seen the Mona Lisa up close, in person. And, moreover, why I have no desire to! Looks like une grande nightmare.
I could really use a day at the beach, right about now. This one looks delightful.
If you have a Flickr account, I implore you to click on the photo above, log in (if you aren't already), and look at this image on its largest size. The dog is just far too cute. This picture is fabulous. The color, the composition, the street, the sign, the dog. I want to be right there. Right now.
In theory I would love to do more adventurous things on my trips abroad, like mountain bike through the hills of the Italian Riviera, as pictured here. In reality, exploring on foot is more my cup of tea. But the vicarious enjoyment of the biking is not lost on me when flipping through photos as wonderful as these.
Another lovely look at the Stravinsky Fountain near the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The faces in the background, in conjunction with the ruby red lips - priceless picture. Fantastique!
Even in the rain, Paris is a pleasure. And, in fact, I'd even go so far as to argue - a particular pleasure. How can you look at the light, reflected on the wet pavement, in the twilight, and not wish you could see Paris too - all bundled up, umbrella folded up, air crisp, camera in hand - just like this?
I wish I were here.
Lately I've been watching a lot of Commissario Montalbano on both my local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) and online, via Rai.tv video on demand in an effort to virtual vacate and augment my Italian lessons. It's favoloso! The television series is based on the books by Andrea Camilleri, set in a fictional town in Sicily. The best part about the TV show is that it's all shot on location, in Sicily. So in addition to sharpening your Italian, you get to see Sicily. It's like a travel show and a murder-mystery movie, all in one! So anyhow, after watching yet another episode of Montalbano last night, I thought I'd take us on a quick trip to Sicily today. I don't know about you, but I think this photo is gorgeous. The color, the texture. The only element that gives me sad pause is wondering and worrying about the dog. Is it someone's pet? Or is it one of the many homeless cats and dogs one reads about in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy?
Paris is a city of lights, and fountains. And museums. These two photos blend all three elements beautifully, in my humble opinion. This is the fountain at the Centre Pompidou, a leading Paris museum of contemporary European art and culture. The light in these images is surreal and soft. And cast over the art and the water, all the aspects fall into a palpable and pleasing harmony. Kind of like the city itself.
Another lovely look at Paris' magnificent main attraction. The view from below in all its golden glory. Great trio of perspectives.
I think these two images are just fantastic. On top, the Eiffel Tower looks dark and surreal. Like something out of Batman. The bottom photo is just so cool. It's layout is perfect. You feel the imposing size of the tower, arching overhead, by focusing on the small, dark figures below. Two of whom are ideally centered in front of the blue rays of light, beaming out somewhere in the beyond, like so much late-night sunshine. Love it.
I hope that I finally get to enjoy a gondola ride, this time. I can't see how it won't have been entirely worth the hype, and the wait.
Sigh. Is this global financial crisis getting scary enough for you yet? To say nothing of stressful. And the U.S. presidential election. Can I just say that I can't wait for it to be over? Between politics and the economy, I need a break. Which is in part why I pour so much time and passion into maintaining this blog. Because I know you need a break, too! Well, here we are in Venice in the evening hours when everyone is out and about enjoying a stroll and a little window shopping. This is just what I hope to be doing next April along the same scenic streets. There is nothing so seductive and serene as Venice at night. One of the safest cities in the world, anyone can stroll at leisure without a care in the world and simply enjoy the night and their surroundings. These two images capture some of that laid back and subtle spirit. If you've never experienced it for yourself, add it to your life-list of to-do's. Pronto.
Here's another shot of the same Canova building in Possagno as featured yesterday. Pretty spectacular, eh?
I'm planning on going to Venice next spring - economy permitting - and hoping to get to Possagno on a day trip to visit the Canova museum there. I believe these are the steps to said museum. In the pictures I've seen of the interior, it looks pretty freaking spectacular. And the outside isn't too shabby either. As you can plainly see, here.
How gorgeous are these colors? And the composition of these six images in one? This is an incredibly vivid slice of life in Stromboli. Love the photo, never been to Sicily. Must get to Stromboli. ASAP. And find this particular street/building/window.
Riomaggiore has a special place in my heart. The one and only time I've been to the Cinque Terre region of the Ligurian Coast, I trained into Riomaggiore with somewhat less than impeccable timing. It seemed sunny enough, and then in blew a miniature monsoon. I took cover in a little cafe and oh, the time we had. The lights flickered on and off and we all stood in the open doorway watching the flash flood navigate its way down Main Street. And no sooner had it started than it stopped and the sun popped back out. It was surreal. It was fabulous. It was Riomaggiore.
Happy Monday! I'm finally over my first killer cold of the season and I thought what better way to celebrate than with this colorful look at the Arc de Triomphe. Gorgeous composition. Wish I were there right now in the flesh to demonstrate my happiness in person.
Day seven: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!
Day six: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!
Day five: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!
Day four: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!
Day four: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!
