Tag Archives: travel

New Creations- “Ville” and “The Bank”

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Two new additions to my paris.rome.and.beyond series are “Ville” and “The Bank.” Both prints are available separately but also pair well together.

Both were shot at dusk in Paris, one along the banks of the river and the other while walking through the charming areas just off the banks. I’ve layered them to give an aged, almost vintage, feel. I love playing with depth of field in my shots and these two are no exception.  I love the aged, almost “ghostly” feel of both.

I’ve added a few new prints from Paris to the series and all are available in my online gallery, here.

"Ville"

"The Bank"

New Creation- “Days Past”

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A new addition to my paris.rome.and.beyond series, I am pleased to introduce, “Days Past” an aged metallic photograph from Paris.

This photo, hand layered with an original texture made from the “leftovers” of a scanned  piece of Polaroid pull apart film, is overlooking Paris from Notre Dame. The Kodak Endura Metallic Paper that I use to print this brings out the aged look with it’s amazing “chrome like” feel.

The print is available in sizes all the way up to 24×36 and is printed with a small white border for easy matting and framing.  Black Friday through Cyber Monday (ending 11/30 at midnight) all prints are Buy One Get One with free international shipping. Check out my online gallery for details.

"Days Past"

Going to a Good Home, “All That Glitters”

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Heading off to a new home is one of my favorite prints from my trip to Savannah, Georgia a couple of years back, “All That Glitters.” The photo is a shot of a vintage chandelier as seen through an antique mirror in one of the very beautiful historic homes in Savannah. The house these are in is said to be haunted and I wanted to capture that with the photo, layering it for an aged, vintage feel. I could just picture a beautiful Southern belle many, many years ago, looking in the mirror, getting ready for the grand gala that would be taking place in the grand ballroom just next door to this room. Nervously primping her hair, straightening her dress, and getting ready to dance the night away with her love.

I am so very pleased that this print was purchased in the largest format I offer, 24×36 as while I love any picture, no matter how small, I especially love to see my favorites large and in charge in all their glory. Just last week I shipped off another large format print, of “The Barn” and was so pleased that my buyer absolutely loved it (feel free to check out the feedback here).

This and many other prints can be purchased in all sizes in my online gallery. I absolutely love custom orders whether it be large format prints, gallery wraps or framing so, if you don’t see it, definitely send me a message!

"All That Glitters"

Photo of the Day- “Firenze”

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Anyone that knows my collective works as a photographer knows that the majority of my inspiration comes from my trips to Italy. While I’ve traveled to many beautiful countries in a relatively short period of time, my two trips to Italy were two of my favorites.

There is so much to love about Italy, the people, the food, the sites, the sounds; taking it all in can be overwhelming at times but equally as amazing. Last year, I traveled from Rome up to Venice via train with visits to Pompeii and Florence. This last stop is where my photo of the day hails from.

“Firenze” is an abstract shot of a Trenitalia train waiting in the station at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the train station in the heart of this beautiful city. I love the intense red of the front light against the green-blue of the train body. I was extremely pleased with the final outcome and how the light was just right bouncing off the side of the train. While abstract in nature, it’s not so abstract that you can’t see that it’s a train; I was very pleased with this balance.

This metallic print is available in my online gallery along with many others from my Italy series.

Firenze WM

"Firenze"

Going to a Good Home- “Along the Shoreline” A set of three 5×5 prints

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Anyone who knows me knows that, aside from photography, traveling is one of my favorite hobbies. Whether it be abroad or here in the States, I love traveling to new destinations and discovering all they have to offer but also have some all time favorites that I’ll go back to time and time again. One of my all time favorites is Maine.

Whether shown in photographs or in movies , in person it’s as picturesque and beautiful as you’ve imagined. Small, quaint towns, beautiful, jagged shorelines, and, I have to say it, the best damn lobster sandwiches ever. (A note, if you’re in Maine, passing through Wiscasset, you have GOT to stop at Red’s Eats. It’s a must.)

All that said, it’s no surprise that I have a number of photographs from my visits to this beautiful state. Three of these photographs, “The Beacon,” “Horizon” and “The Line” are all part of a three print limited edition metallic set called, “Along the Shoreline” being offered in my online gallery. While they are listed as 5×5 prints, they’re available in any size from 4×4 all the way up to 30×30 and I’m pleased to say that one of these sets is off to a good home. This limited edition print set is available in my online gallery, along with many others.

Horizon WM

"Horizon"

Beacon WM

"Beacon"

The Line WM

"The Line"

Going to a Good Home- “The Parking Spot”

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OK, I admit, I hate having to name my photos. If I could just do basic things like, “Guy in Front of Store” or something like that, I would love it but, in a world where artists are as creative with the names as the art themselves, I at least have to put my best foot forward. The thing is, my best foot… it typically involves humor.

That said, I did use a little (and I mean a little, I’m not claiming to be ready for stand-up here) humor when naming this one. I had all these dramatic names in mind because, frankly, the photograph’s dramatic and vibrant colors, seemed to warrant it but, in the end, I felt silly naming it what I had originally planned. (Nope, sorry, my secret) I did however, end up liking the name of this one, if for no other reason than, well, I’m funny in my own mind, if not others, and I thought it was fitting. Get it? The boat is parked out front? Parking spot?? Hmmm, ok well enough about the name. If you’d like, you can give it an alternate subtitle. :)

More importantly, “The Parking Spot” is on its way to a good home and I couldn’t be more pleased.  The photo is of a beautiful old, red boat parked outside a Venetian mansion. I spotted this while travelling down Venice’s Grand Canal on a traghetto on my way to the Piazza San Marco. Of all of the trips I’ve taken, Italy has always been my favorite country to visit. I love the people, the sights, the sounds, the FOOD, the WINE… oh wait, sorry, I’m getting a little carried away.

I took this shot last year on a trip through Italy that took me through Rome, Florence, Pompeii and Venice and this ended up being one of my favorites. Printed on metallic paper, the subtle “chrome on paper” effect of the paper brings out the vibrant reds and greens as well as highlights the intense blacks. Looking at this photo makes me want to go back…

This limited edition print is still available, in my online gallery, in multiple print sizes, framed or unframed, even in a gallery wrap… just check the link that says, “Where to Purchase my Work” or feel free to get in touch with me!

The Parking Spot WM

"The Parking Spot"

New Creation- “The Terrace”

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Newly added to my online gallery is “The Terrace.” A photo taken in Rome, Italy of  an old apartment building with beautiful shuttered terraces.

Over the years, as I’ve been honing my photographic skills more and more, I’ve realized that I need to look up more… you never know what you’re going to find when you do. I loved the vibrant hues of the building and how the shutters were open to varying degrees with the second one up open all the way as if inviting the everyone in.

“The Terrace” is printed on Kodak Endura Metallic Paper given the vibrant colors and intense blacks. I’ve come to love metallic paper and almost all of my photos, both color and monochrome are printed on it.

"The Terrace"

"The Terrace"

Going to a Good Home- “The Gondolier”

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One of my favorites, “The Gondolier” is parting my company and going to a good, loving home. OK, I realize these aren’t pets but, I will admit, because of the level of pride I take in each of my pieces, when someone wants to hang it in their home, it makes me proud like a mama. :)

One of my favorite places to visit, as mentioned in previous posts, is Italy and I was lucky enough to go back around this time last year. “The Gondolier” was shot in Venice along one of the back canals, off the main strip of the Grand Canal. I loved exploring back there. You’re far away from the throngs of tourists crowding the main piazza and there are amazing little trattorias, bakeries, shops and homes to take in as you find your way along the canals.

This was one of my favorite shots from the trip and I’m so glad it’s going to a good home. This is a limited edition print that’s available in my online gallery, along with a number of others. Please feel free to check them out!

Ciao!

"The Gondolier"

"The Gondolier"

Candid Photography- Around Italy

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It’s been said that it takes all sorts to make the world go round and I couldn’t agree more. Admittedly, while I hate large crowds, I do love people watching. As voyeuristic as it might sound, I love to sit back and watch the wide variety of people who pass through my life for those few minutes, possibly never to be seen again. I find myself wondering about their lives and attaching stories of my own to them.

The elderly couple getting off a train in the Firenze Santa Maria Novella in Florence, linked arm in arm. I imagine them  married for fifty or sixty years, with three grown children and nine grandchildren to show for it… in from Venice for a visit with their family. The romantic in me hopes they are still as in love today as they were sixty years ago.

The homeless man on the steps of a church in Florence… in my mind, a former professor of sociology or anthropology whose eccentricites made him very popular with the students. As time went by, his eccentric nature was replaced by a progressive mental illness and, with no family to care for him, he fell on hard times and found himself  living on the streets. He sits on the steps of the church yelling at passersby, speaking loudly to himself in Italian, still carrying the jacket he wore to class every day.

Then there’s the couple in the Piazza San Marco, sitting down to lunch, watching the tourists crowding the plaza, enjoying their sandwiches and each others company. I imagine them telling each other stories, talking about their children and grandchildren and planning out the rest of their day.

All three of these were captured in the attached photographs from my last visit to Italy. From Rome to Florence to Venice, I came across a wide variety of people and came away with many candid shots. While I do portraiture as part of my photography business and enjoy working with many of my subjects, I find myself enjoying candid shots even more as I find that, more often than not, they can evoke an emotion that a planned shot cannot.

"The Visitors"

"The Visitors"

"Lunch in the Piazza San Marco"

"Lunch in the Piazza San Marco"

"The Professor"

"The Professor"

"Il Diavolo all'interno"

"Il Diavolo all'interno"

New Creation- “La Tour Eiffel” and My Love of Travel Photography

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OK so my love of travel photography isn’t a new creation; it’s something that’s developed over the last several years.

The other day, while I was going through a box of old things, I came across my very first digital camera. It was a 3.0 megapixel  point and shoot that I had purchased before a trip to Germany five years ago. That was a trip of firsts; my first trip abroad, thus the first time I ever needed a passport, and my first time using a digital camera.

I fell in love with photography, and travel, on that trip. The majority of my photos aren’t the “Here I Am at the…” photos that you see from most trips as I much prefer the opposite side of the lens. Most were  creatively framed shots (or at least my attempt at it)  of the amazing architecture in Munich, the scenery in Heidelberg and Salzburg, Austria, and a “photo essay” of sorts that I shot on our visit to Dachau Concentration Camp.  Even with that inexpensive little point and shoot, while admittedly difficult, I found myself twisting myself in to any number of weird poses to shoot from odd angles and, while I didn’t have any manual control over the exposure settings, I did find myself fiddling with those I did have for more creative lighting. Below, you will see one of my photos from my trip to Dachau which, to this day, despite the grim subject matter, is still one of my favorite shots. (This would be of the trees lining the walk between the prisoner bunkers that used to be on either side. They have since been torn down at the request of the survivors.)

"The Walk"

"The Walk"

 Not long after that trip, I upgraded to a digital SLR and began teaching myself the ins and outs of photography, from framing to manual exposure (my camera is permanently set on Manual exposure, no more presets!). I couldn’t wait for my next trip so that I could try out my new skills and, thankfully, I wouldn’t have to wait very long. Over the last five years, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Italy twice, France, England and Ireland, but my love of travel photography isn’t relegated solely to trips abroad. My camera is never out of arms reach, whether it’s on a trip to Wine Country in California, the mountains of Taos in New Mexico or just a drive in the car on a Sunday morning.

I don’t take my ability to travel for granted; I know that I am very lucky to be able to do it and it’s a priviledge that not everyone can experience. That said, I have begun posting several photo series from my trips as a way of hopefully bringing my experience to others and I look forward to being able to post many more trips down the road.

One of my favorite photographs from my trip to France was this shot of the Eiffel Tower, the subject of my newest piece, “La Tour Eiffel.” In person, the Eiffel Tower is awe inspiring. You can see it from almost anywhere in Paris and, from the top of the tower, the views of the city are breathtaking. It’s one of those icons that, despite seeing it multiple times in books growing up, the first time you see it in person, it takes your breath away. I wanted to capture it as close to the bottom of the Tower as I could to capture the wonderful architecture and design while still properly representing it’s majestic height.

I layered this photo with several textures, initially with the idea that I might give it a “vintage” photo feel, however was pleasantly surprised at the multiple vibrant colors in the end result.  Sometimes these things happen accidentally but, thankfully I can always figure out how it happened and weren’t we all taught as children that you, “learn from your mistakes?”

This and many other prints are available in my online gallery. Please feel free to stop by and take a peek and check back in with me as I have several new pieces in the works that I can’t wait to share.

"Le Tour Eiffel"

"La Tour Eiffel"