Tuesday, August 31, 2010


Great perspective for a unique trip pic. Love it!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Alight and Record - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Rome, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Alight and Record

Monday, August 30, 2010


Dang. That is some serious flotation, sans device! Amazing.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - architect1300 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Dead Sea ★
Photo courtesy of architect1300

Sunday, August 29, 2010


India? No. Paris! It's the Fête de Ganesh!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - EvaB - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of EvaB

Saturday, August 28, 2010


Yikes. Now that's a food fight! I only hope the photographer's camera survived, sans stains. Tomato bits seem like they'd be a B to get off a lens. To say nothing of attempting to remove the inevitable, lingering tomato smell! Yuck.

Ah, Tomatina.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - flydime - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Buñol, Spain ★
Photo courtesy of flydime

Friday, August 27, 2010


Viva Venezia! If I could be anywhere today, it would be Venice.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Wendy Dreaney - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Wendy Dreaney

Thursday, August 26, 2010


There was a nice little piece on Nice in yesterday's Euromaxx, so I thought that's where we should jet off to, today.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - markodrapic - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Nice, France ★
Photo courtesy of markodrapic

Wednesday, August 25, 2010


The East Coast had its heatwave, and now it's our turn on the West Coast. Everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area has been complaining all summer how exceptionally cold it's been - and we're used to cold summers, but the layers and wool sweaters were getting pretty old - but now that the heat is on, I dare say we miss the fog and otherwise frigid conditions.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - The Holgasnake - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: New York City ★
Photo courtesy of The Holgasnake

Tuesday, August 24, 2010


What a lovely portrait.

I was inspired to Flickr today for a Fuji Instax image, per an email on the camera and wide-format instant prints that I got today from Photojojo. Hmm. Move over Polaroid. Fuji Instax looks pretty spiffy. But really, what's not to love about the soft and dreamy effects of all instant cameras and film?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Flibustier et Cie - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Flibustier et Cie

Monday, August 23, 2010


While I love me some France, it's far from paradise in many respects. One thing it's definitely not is colorblind. Despite the number of interracial couples and diversity of people one may encounter on a trip to France.

Take Sarkozy's current crackdown on the Roma, or gypsies - repatriating those who cannot prove they can support themselves to Bucharest, Romania. And though they may be sent "back" to Romania, the Romani people hail from much further afield, originally - from the northern region of the Indian subcontinent.

I'm inclined to agree with those who see this latest French policy, among others (e.g., banning the veil for Muslim women), as a move toward official racism. Very disconcerting developments, at best. And though France may send its gypsies away, they will, no doubt, soon be back. As, apparently, no EU nation wants to give them the assistance they so obviously and desperately need. Least of all Romania. And so, what then?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - narceau.zemm - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of narceau.zemm

Sunday, August 22, 2010


A friend from Ireland sent me a music video today. I'd not heard of Mark Ronson before, but I'm an instant fan! The song was so catchy that I went and downloaded it from Amazon, immediately. Love it.

Happy Sunday! Now go get your international groove on with a little Bang Bang Bang. I insist!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Eric Nowels - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Chicago, Illinois (USA) ★
Photo courtesy of Eric Nowels

Saturday, August 21, 2010


I have a cell phone. But it's nearly always off. I've never understood the desire to be available 24/7, to anyone. And texting or SMS? I've finally trained my friends not to. I don't have a plan for that with my carrier, and I don't want - or need - one! But a bike. It's been years since I've owned a bike and that could be really fun and handy. Way more fun and handy than a cell phone. If you ask me.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - vanarts - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Barcelona, Spain ★
Photo courtesy of vanarts

Friday, August 20, 2010


Back on our ongoing look at good graffiti, I caught an episode of Euromaxx this morning and really enjoyed the little snippet they did on London artist Ben Eine. For his first visit to the White House, British PM David Cameron chose a Ben Eine piece to present President Obama as a gift. Apparently the two share a love of contemporary art, and Cameron wanted his gift to reflect this.

Ben Eine is a relatively little-known London street artist (though perhaps no more, after David Cameron's famous gift-giving), who's made a name for himself, locally, by brightening the underpasses, bridges, and train carriages of his native south London with big, bold, and above all colorful typographic statements. His best known work, at the moment, are the lively letters of the alphabet that he's applied over (formerly) dreary metal shop shutters.

Take a peek at more of Eine's alphabet art here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Leo Reynolds - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: London, England ★
Photo courtesy of Leo Reynolds

Thursday, August 19, 2010


Che bella vista!

I wish I could draw, or paint, or - better yet - both.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - apenciladay - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Liguria, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of apenciladay

Wednesday, August 18, 2010


Sigh. It's been a day. One of those days. So if I could be teleported to any place on the planet, this is where I'd go. And pronto. I've walked down this very path many times before, and felt the anticipatory rush of relaxation wash over me, as I headed straight for the impossibly white sand and turquoise-blue water of Lanikai Beach. Best beach in Hawaii. And arguably the best beach in the world. It's like a dream. Even when teeming with fellow tourists. If you've never been, go you must. It will take your breath and and any stress you may be carrying clean away, straight away!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - lian1979 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Lanikai, Oahu ★
Photo courtesy of lian1979

Tuesday, August 17, 2010


When in Italy, more than pasta or pizza and sometimes, dare I say it, even more than gelato, I crave bruschetta! Yes, bruschetta.

A good bruschetta can be great. So I learned at the little restaurant in Forio on the island of Ischia at La Mortella. There was no reason why it should be anything special, but the bruschetta there was, in a word, spectacular. All of the elements were fresh and bursting with flavor. It was so good, in point of fact, that my friends and I had to have a second order. We couldn't get enough of the stuff and I've never had another anywhere, not even elsewhere in Italy, that was so damn good. Though I keep testing, tasting, and hoping.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - pixxiestails - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Southern Italy ★
Photo courtesy of pixxiestails

Monday, August 16, 2010


There are a number of places that I've traveled to, based solely on a single photo. Portovenere is one of them. Camogli, also in Liguria, is another. I've never really been "dying" to get to Germany, but I recently stumbled upon a picturesque German town, on Flickr - of course - that makes me want to visit Germany sooner rather than later. So, anyway, even though I've already been to Portovenere, it's pictures like this that inspire me to start planning a trip. And pronto.

It was already my intention to revisit Portovenere (and Camogli) this spring, but I must say that reflecting on this photo makes me particularly blissful at the thought of seeing and photographing this amazing place, again.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Gilberto T. Photography - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Portovenere, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Gilberto T. Photography

Sunday, August 15, 2010


Happy Sunday. Wish mine had included a leisurely ride through Sestri Levante on this pretty blue bike.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - bryanDeldridge - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Sestri Levante, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of bryanDeldridge

Saturday, August 14, 2010


Leo & Pipo take Berlin!

I'd love to see them hit my neck of the woods and take Oakland or San Francisco. That would be awesomeness.

"Since 2008 Parisian duo Leo & Pipo have been wheat pasting nameless characters from bygone eras all over their home town. District by district, rue by rue, Leo & Pipo inject a sense of charm, humor and some historical remembrance to dreary concrete facades; hopefully transporting the viewer to another Paris through a visual time machine."


To learn more about Leo & Pipo, check out their MySpace page. You'll even find a portrait of the pair, there. If a view to more of their charming artwork is what you're after, dive into the dynamic duo's photostream on Flickr.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Leo & Pipo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Berlin, Germany ★
Photo courtesy of Leo & Pipo

Friday, August 13, 2010


There was a little convo a few posts ago on graffiti, the good vs. the bad, and its ability to, when bad, ruin a fabled or sacred location. So let's focus on the good graf. The kind you feel lucky to have discovered, the sort that makes you smile and want to snap a picture. A picture like this one of a YZ collage from her Village Popincourt series, in Paris.

Check out videos on Still Alive - one of YZ's many projects - here.

On my last trip to Paris this spring, I noticed these two cats in the strangest spots. I began to feel like I was on a treasure hunt, seeking them out to shoot like a paparazzi possessed. Locals know them well. As I was taking a picture of the pair on an old, weathered wooden door, a Parisian gentleman stopped and spontaneously directed me to a place nearby where there was an even larger, life-size Leo & Pipo collage. I thanked him and set out in search of it, but never found it. And on my last day in Paris, just strolling about town and enjoying being free of my heavy camera gear, I stumbled upon the most wonderful Leo & Pipo paste-up on the narrow side of a freshly painted lavender storefront. I was so bummed not to have the ability to photograph it, but no matter. It was instantly burned into my memory bank, where I look in on it and enjoy it, often.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Brin d'Amour - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Brin d'Amour

Thursday, August 12, 2010


I've been helping a friend of mine plan a trip to Amsterdam and was trying to explain to her why I wasn't particularly impressed with it on my one visit, several years back. I think it was due to the dreary weather I encountered, even though it was late April and, really, the height of spring. In my opinion, with overcast skies or in dark, wet weather, the city also feels dark. Looks it, too, as many of the buildings feature very dark, almost black, bricks or wood, or other building materials. As pictured here. Though, as pictured here, it is quite a charming place when the sun's out and the sky overhead is blue. I wish I'd seen Amsterdam in this light. I think I would have been much more enamored.

This photo has given me a desire to return and give the city another try, eventually. So thank you, camilaaa, for that! Great picture. Wish me luck with the weather.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - camilaaa - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Amsterdam, Holland ★
Photo courtesy of camilaaa

Wednesday, August 11, 2010


This tilt-shift image is incredible. It's like a photo of a dream! Definitely a moving and artistic look at San Francisco's Mission Street flying rats. Er, I mean, pigeons.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - bhautik joshi - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, California ★
Photo courtesy of bhautik joshi

Tuesday, August 10, 2010


I discovered this lovely landscape while surfing Flickr on the terms "tilt-shift" and "Italy" this morning. What a wonderful tilt-shift fake! I love tilt-shifted images, but also have to "fake" mine in post-processing at present, as I do not own a real tilt-shift lens. I'm not ready to drop that kind of bacon on new gear. Yet! For now, the closest I get to the real deal are images captured with my Lensbaby Composer, which I love, but isn't truly a tilt-shift tool.

As the real lenses are big-ticket items, it's good to know that for a mere $10 you can build a real tilt-shift lens on the cheap. No, really. You can! Allow Photojojo to show you how.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Cormac Phelan - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Graniti, (Sicily) Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Cormac Phelan

Monday, August 9, 2010


In starting to plan a trip to the Cinque Terre region of the Italian Riviera, I found the perfect inspiration in this golden view out to sea. Gorgeous!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - St. Escercent - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Cinque Terre, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of St. Escercent

Sunday, August 8, 2010


This kid has the right idea! I'd like to take a big bite out of these super big macarons, too!! And what an adorable photo. Doesn't get much cuter than that, I think.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Petit Ming - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Petit Ming

Saturday, August 7, 2010


In surfing around for favorite new photos to add to my virtual travel journal (this here blog you're noshin' on), I happened upon this glitzy, gilded view of Paris. As an additional treat, I also discovered the photographer's travel blog. That is one of the joys of Flickr - you can travel the world and meet new people, all from the comfort of ... wherever, whenever!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Fidel Hart - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Fidel Hart

Friday, August 6, 2010


As of today, some 800 wildfires are blazing in Russia. The resulting smog in Moscow, and elsewhere no doubt, is pretty surreal. Though while the poor air quality makes for interesting photographic opportunities, I would not want to be breathing that hot and heavy (and toxic) soup. Blech. I hope they're able to get the fires under control soon.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - zub4ik - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Moscow, Russia ★
Photo courtesy of zub4ik

Thursday, August 5, 2010


Such a cool photo-project idea, and perfect for crowd-sourcing, too. Wish I'd thought of it! And wish I could get to New York to see the outdoor Public Art installation before it leaves - I think it's there through some portion of January 2011. Though don't quote me on that.

Learn more about the Walking Men 99 art project here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - agent j loves agent a - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: New York City ★
Photo courtesy of agent j loves agent a

Wednesday, August 4, 2010


Reality? Or a window looking out over a dream? I'm just not sure! This image is just so fantastically surreal. I love it.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - gordonbell - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: French Riviera ★
Photo courtesy of gordonbell

Tuesday, August 3, 2010


New photos of this timeless staircase never get old.

Read more about Vatican City here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Automatt - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Rome, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Automatt

Monday, August 2, 2010


Like a dream!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - yanndo2b - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Bastia, Corsica (France) ★
Photo courtesy of yanndo2b

Sunday, August 1, 2010


Very sort of Miró, no?

I have no idea what the translation for e Napoli chiagn' is - perhaps the photog or someone here who knows will post a comment - but I like the artwork and the way it seemingly springs to life in this photo.

Read more about the artist, Napoli native Diego Miedo, here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Jekyll283 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Naples, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Jekyll283

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