Tag Archives: travel photography

Photo(s) of the Day- Have Your Camera at the Ready

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Tracey Capone Photography 2012

I get asked all the time whether I carry a camera with me everywhere and, for the most part, the answer to that question is yes. To take that one step further, when I have my camera with me, it’s always accessible and ready to go at a moments notice because I’ve found that some of the best shots are those which are not planned for and therefore least expected.

At the risk of having a “tourist” sign taped to my back, if I am on a trip, the camera rarely gets put away because you just never know what you’re going to happen upon. Whether it be street performers in Montemartre (above) or this squirrel deciding to hang upside down in St. James Park in London while eating his lunch, the possibilities are endless while traveling.

Are you new to the world of photography? In past posts I’ve talked about taking your camera out and practicing as much as possible (remember, it’s playing with light, you can’t break anything) and the same holds here. Practice grabbing your camera and shooting a “spontaneous scene.” So it might end up being a picture of your dog yawning, and sure it might look a bit odd whipping your camera out at a moments notice when your neighbor goes out to get the paper…no big deal. The point is getting the practice in with the camera for those times when you don’t want to miss the shot simply because you don’t understand your camera as much as you should.

You never know where you’re going to find a perfect subject, this leaf, with a single ray of sunlight peeking through the trees and hitting it perfectly, was only about a mile from my apartment. Some of my regular readers might also remember my post with the lounging chipmunk. How often do you come across a chipmunk sleeping in a tree?  It’s about keeping your eyes peeled and your camera at the ready.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- The Venetian Garden

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"The Venetian Garden" - Tracey Capone Photography

I’m so happy to be a photographer for many reasons, one of which is that, if I can’t remember certain aspects of a trip, I can always go back and revisit it through my photos. Good thing too because halfway through the last trip to Italy I came down with one of the worst flu bugs I have had in quite some time and was basically walking around in a haze. (possibly in part to the wonderful over the counter medications that they sell in Italy… perhaps a bonus to not having an FDA?)

Given the fever was wreaking havoc on my head, it’s been wonderful to be able to go back through pictures from the visits to Rome, Florence and Venice and relive some of what I missed at the time. (thankfully, fevers don’t prevent the shutter finger from working)

Today’s Photo of the Day, “The Venetian Garden” is one of those photographs that really sums up the experience in Venice and helps me remember just how beautiful it was. Of course, Venice is surrounded completely by water and has canals running through it so backyard gardens that you may see in other parts of Italy aren’t really happening here. Many of the residents work with what they have, namely in using beautiful window boxes and terrace gardens to make up for what they lack in yard. I loved this arrangement against the beautiful stucco of the home and the rustic shutters.

I will definitely go back to Venice one day soon just so that I can (hopefully) walk around in a less partially comatose state but, in the meantime, I have my photographs.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Line of Sight”

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"Line of Sight" - Tracey Capone Photography

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Line of Sight” is one of the original pieces in my gallery and, to this day, one of my favorite. Taken in Dublin, Ireland, it is an abstract photograph of the Temple Bar area as seen from across the River Liffey. You wouldn’t know it from this rather calm picture but it was a rather wild and crazy day in Dublin that day as it was shot on St. Patrick’s Day just after the parade. A sea of people, and many pints of Guinness, are just on the other side of those buildings; it was rather nice to be able to step away from it all and capture this calm shot of the city.

Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend! I myself am looking forward to some cool but sunny weather tomorrow and getting out with my camera to get some new shots of Chicago. Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Charcuterie”

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"Charcuterie" - Tracey Capone Photography

I would have to say that, of any area I visit when visiting Paris, Montmartre is my favorite. Not only for the numerous rustic doors and windows I happen upon but because of the quaint little cafes, bistros and sandwich shops lining the cobblestone streets heading up to Sacré Cœur.

If you decide to visit Montmartre, your best best is to take the Metro to the district of Pigalle where you’ll find the infamous Moulin Rouge. From there, you can either take the funicular or hike up the very steep stairs from the bottom to the top (I counted 225… while they may not jive with Parisian fashion, I would recommend sneakers if you’re going to go with the latter option).

While about halfway up I was extremely jealous of those who opted to take the funicular, I would have missed out on so many of what turned out to be some of my favorite photos from the trip. That includes today’s Photo of the Day, “Charcuterie.” Just across from where I shot “The Bistro” and directly across the street from “No. 3,” I loved this quaint little sandwich shop lined with colorful bottles of Italian sodas and boasting some of the most amazing desserts I have ever seen.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “Beyond”

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"Beyond" - Tracey Capone Photography

My love of door photography well established, I thought I would move in to the realm of my other love, windows and shutters. I gave a sneak peek of that obsession when I introduced, “No. 45” and it continues with one of my newer pieces, today’s Photo of the Day, “Beyond” taken in Venice, Italy.

What lies beyond these beautifully rustic, emerald green shutters? Who lives there? What is their story?

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- Grande Dame

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"Grande Dame" - Tracey Capone Photography

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Grande Dame” of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France is a pretty simple  black and white photograph at first glance but, one of the reasons I love it so much is for the same reasons I loved how “A Study in Light” turned out. I love how light and shadow mix and play with one another and nothing brings that out better than a black and white photograph.

With the sun bouncing off the top of the billowy clouds, casting a shadow on the bottom, they end up billowy yet prominent. The black and white tones brought out how the sun was hitting a particular spot in the grass just in front of me which was barely noticeable in person.

In the end, I felt like the sun and shadows gave the photograph an almost platinum tone, a beautiful mix highlights and shadow, spotlighting one of the most amazing architectural creations in history.

Today starts my vacation I have labeled, “My Week of Doing Whatever I Darn Well Please” (admittedly, I’ve kind of cleaned that up for the purposes of the blog) so be sure to check in for some photos from a few road trips I have planned, including Route 66 which I am so fortunate starts right here in Chicago, and some new tutorials I’ve been pulling together. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- Le Chauffage

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"Le Chauffage" - Tracey Capone Photography

I’ve branched out… With this photo of the day, I decided not to photograph just the door but the entire side of a building. How could I not though? Look at how beautiful the honey brown wood is on this building?? Now, having grown up with a house full of dark and ever so fancy 70s wood paneling (yes, that’s me and my dad), I am not a fan of this indoors but outside? Gorgeous. Especially when surrounded by the rustic cobblestone and the beautiful sites in Montmartre.

Today’s Photo of the Day, “Le Chauffage” (French for “Heating”) is of a lovely storefront I came across while walking around the area immediately surrounding Sacre Coeur. Based on the translations, this is a heating and ventilation repair shop and, frankly, this is the prettiest heating and ventilation repair shop I have ever seen.

At this point, having seen my other Montmartre pics like “No. 31,” “Chez Marie,” or “No. 69,” you might be wondering to yourself, “Is there a single plain, unremarkable spot in Montmartre?” I can honestly say no… if you go to Paris, and you plan a trip to Sacre Coeur, definitely schedule in some time to walk around the neighboring area because it will be time well spent… and don’t forget your camera. (and your gym shoes because it’s pretty much like walking around San Francisco)

Enjoy! Happy Fourth of July to all of my American readers…Have a safe and happy holiday!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “No. 3″

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"No. 3" - Tracey Capone Photography

I can’t get enough of these doors. I am pretty certain I have more photographs of doors from my trip to Paris and London than I do anything else.

The unique moldings, the various stages of distress and patina of the wood, the colors. When I saw the beautiful aquamarine of this door and the surrounding wall, I was mesmerized; it was gorgeous. Nevermind the detail surrounding the door: the scroll work, the frame, the very cool slanted tiled doorstep. This definitely had to become part of my imaginary “Door Coffee Table Book” immediately!

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- Chez Marie

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"Chez Marie" - Tracey Capone Photography

Walking around Montmartre reminds me of walking around the back canals of Venice; you never know what you’re going to come across but you know, whatever it is, it’s going to be beautiful.

In stark contrast to the nearby run down, dirty buildings of the Red Light District surrounding the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre is filled with beautiful old homes with colorful facades (check one out here), cobblestone streets and amazing cafes such as this one, Chez Marie.

I’ll just quote directly from my description of the photograph on my site, “Monmartre is known for it’s rich history of artists, writers and philosophers. I can just picture them, sitting at this adorable cafe, discussing the world’s issues, writing the next great novel or sketching passersby.”

If you find yourself in Paris, you can’t pass up the opportunity to take the Metro out to Montmartre. Not only will you get a beautiful view of the city from high atop the hill but you’ll be amazed at the beauty right there in front of you.

Enjoy!

*tracey*

Photo of the Day- “No. 31″ … My Future Coffee Table Book

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"No. 31" - Tracey Capone Photography

Well, before I get in to the photograph itself, I have to thank my mother and aunt for being so patient while I photographed just about every door in Paris, especially when we walked around Montmartre. The joke throughout the week was that I would be able to publish a coffee table book just of doors from Paris and, truthfully, I probably could (although it would have to be edited down from about 400 photographs to a more reasonable number).

There is something about a beautiful, old, colorful door that fascinates me. How long has it been there? Was it always that color? Who lives or has lived behind that door? If you have been following my blog long enough, you’ve seen a past photo of the day, “The Guardian” and know that, if I don’t know the history,  I certainly have no trouble imagining one.

I loved the pop of bright, teal blue of door surrounded by the patina of the crackling stucco wall and the gorgeous wrought iron scroll window.How fun is the slight angle to the top? That wasn’t just the frame that was angled either… the entire door was angled!

Admittedly, I gave thought to “sprucing” the door up in post production, taking out that little wooden piece that appears to be covering some damage, maybe cleaning up some of the nicks, but that’s what I love about these doors. The people who own them seem to respect the history behind them so much that, rather than take them down and replace them with a newer, unblemished door, they’ll patch it up and move on.

To me, photography is about taking something ordinary, like a door, and turning it in to something extraordinary, perhaps with the intention of telling a story. What do imagine the story behind this door to be?

Enjoy!

*tracey*