Italy

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

After three days in the Cinque Terre, my wife Karin and I gave a visit to Genoa a try. We entered a train from Corniglia; it took about 1h 20 minutes to arrive in Genoa. I bought a cold Aloe-Vera drink at the railway station, then paid a little amount to upgrade to the first class and we had a relaxing ride in an air-conditioned compartment. After a long walk in Genoa, we took a hop on-hop off -bus where I could capture some beautiful moments of the drifting in the city.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

I think Lake Como with the city Como got famous because of the stars like George Clooney, which have a villa there. The village Bellagio got famous because of the casino in Las Vegas with the same name. My wife Karin and I took a speedboat tour which had ship stations at each village at the lake. One stop was Varenna, where you can walk through a fantastical botanical garden, which is very neat and has a broad spectrum of Mediterranean plants and trees.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/11
• Shutter speed: 1/60s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 80

You can drive up the mountain road until 2999 meters, then take a walk of about 1 kilometer, and you will stand before that nature spectacle called Tre Cime di Lavaredo (“three merlons”). The jagged mountaintops of the Dolomites surround the whole area. Big valleys are at your feet. The weather god meant well with me, I had some short moments where the fog went away, and I could shoot photos with the three peaks. On the way back, rain was pouring already. 🙂

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop, Color Efex Pro

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/11
• Shutter speed: 1/40s
• Focal length: 31mm
• ISO: 100

Como has a beautiful old town for walking around and chilling. Many restaurants and bars, shops with organic food, boutiques, and sunglass stores. At the lake, there is a promenade for exploring the view of the surrounding hills and harbored boats. In the middle of the city lies the magnificent Como Cathedral.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: D-LUX 5
• Aperture: ƒ/5
• Shutter speed: 1/640s
• Focal length: 5.1mm
• ISO: 100

The morning in the eternal city is a highlight. The cafes are opening, smelling the espresso. The streets get cleaned, the first shops are opening. A unique light all over the city.

Post processed with: Luminar, Photoshop

• Camera: D-LUX 5
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/1000s
• Focal length: 12.8mm
• ISO: 80

I made a late night photo tour at Piazza San Marco and its surroundings. In the meantime, my wife and friends were sitting in an Italian bar and were drinking an Averna with ice and lemon slice. But I could not let slip the opportunities to take photos of Venice in the night. Mainly when I’m alone, I could use my tripod without any pressure to move on. However, in the end, I had my photos and attended the bar for a round of drinks.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7R
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 3.2s
• Focal length: 70mm
• ISO: 100