Italy

In the heart of the city is the gothic Como Cathedral. On the main square, there are bars and restaurants from where you can overlook this impressive building. After a pizza, I caught my camera and shot photos from my outside seating position in the restaurant. I never experienced such a comfortable photo session. But you never stop learning. 

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: DSC-RX1R
• Aperture: ƒ/2
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 800

Genoa was only a 1-hour train journey from Cinque Terre. My wife Karin and I took the opportunity to drive with Trenitalia. Genoa was in my mind as on old industry-city, but the opposite was exact. Magnificent buildings, full pedestrian streets and excellent food made for a fun afternoon. I could attend the Modigliani- and the Elliot Erwitt exhibition. A great painter and a great photographer on one day. 🙂 

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

The Piazza Bra is the central plaza in Verona, with a fountain, pillars, marble floor and dozens of cafes and restaurants at the sideline. The typical Italian life, with tourists, people of all ages, surrounded by unique Italian architecture. 

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/30s
• Focal length: 41mm
• ISO: 100

Multistorey house fronts surround the old town of Como. On the wide alleys are snack stands and magazine kiosks. I sat down on one of the plastic chairs, ordered a diet coke with ice and was waiting for my wife. 

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: DMC-FX150
• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Shutter speed: 1/40s
• Focal length: 6mm
• ISO: 100

Since I was only one day in Sicily and we visited about five different villages via a touring bus, I can’t remember where I shot that photo of the palm tree-alley. I arrived in Sicily with a ferry from Malta, starting at 3 am and left with a ship to Malta at 8 pm. A day stuffed with impressions of this most southern island in Italy. A must see, partially a rough landscape, streets with serpentines, old stone buildings, and beautiful churches.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: COOLPIX A
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/640s
• Focal length: 18.5mm
• ISO: 320

Before entering the old town you cross the Como Gate Tower or Porta Torre. I was fascinated by the building, pure raw stone built to a tower with arcs and no roof, a landmark of the city. I was parking outside the old town, so I crossed the tower every time when I went to the car. It is 40 meters high and was built in 1192. Very solid, it stood against all the odds over time.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: Pixel 2 XL
• Aperture: ƒ/1.8
• Shutter speed: 1/1949s
• Focal length: 4.459mm
• ISO: 53

For all mountain adventurers, mountain lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, I recommend visiting the “Three Merlons” or Tre Cime di Lavaredo, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. The landscape on the mountain peak reminded me of episodes of the Star Trek original series. With the foggy and rainy day, I was barely alone with my wife on the Dolomites. My Fuji X-T1 could resist the rain, photo-shooting was no problem at all.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: X-T1
• Aperture: ƒ/5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/180s
• Focal length: 18mm
• ISO: 320

Then the walking tour brought us on the Piazza delle Erbe, the center of the old town. A place which combines all the styling and art of Italy in a concentrated form which shows at its buildings, wells, restaurants and cafes. 

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/40s
• Focal length: 30mm
• ISO: 4000

My wife Karin got angry from time to time during our nightly walk through Verona, because I had to stop on nearly every corner to take photos. But you have to use the opportunities; when shops and restaurants are closing already, you have the city lying before you to go all in for photo shooting. Use the dim light in Italian towns which give unique blend to the buildings and architecture.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/8s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 4000

Italian pasta to go, for me the perfect food during the day. Less expensive than in a restaurant, sufficient size of the meal, that you get sated, and many variations from you can choose. Also a good idea for your family trip or the long-lasting sightseeing tours between the Italian alleys.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4.5
• Shutter speed: 1/30s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 800