Italy

Italy is one of the countries left, where book kiosks still exist. You get all kind of books, old and new, some second-hand, they offer maps in different sizes and notebooks with artfully decorated binders and pictures. Some also have a broad portfolio of magazines and journals. They have their smell of the different papers. Those stores with the architecture around lets you think, you be in a world hundred years ago.

Post processed with: Luminar, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/15s
• Focal length: 51mm
• ISO: 100

La Spezia is the entry door to Cinque Terre, in the city, there are brown direction signs which navigate you to the curvy, uphill street to Riomaggiore. Driving up the serpentines, I got great views of the harbor of La Spezia. I searched for a parking place, which I found at a private property on the opposite side of the street. After going out of my car, there was a dog which was barking like crazy; luckily it was behind a fence. 🙂  I crossed the street and was near a steep slope, where I had only 1 m / 3 ft for standing while shooting my photos.

Post processed with: Aurora, Analog Efex Pro, Photoshop 

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 48mm
• ISO: 800

Manarola is one of the five villages which make Cinque Terre. I waited until night for the lights of the houses, street lamps and streets to appear. With the warm summer climate and the pleasing salt-breeze, it was a joy. I had plenty of time to place my tripod, to try different lenses and look at the other photographers which were anxious to get their best shots. They were Asians, Africans, spoke different languages, Cinque Terre is a magnet for tourists from the whole world.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop 

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 13s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 100

“Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right” © George Harrison.
I took that photo on the Italian west coast, one hour south of Genova. You could sell this shot also like the Caribbean, Cuba, Thailand, … however an always great motive, sea, sun, palms. 🙂

Post processed with: Photomatix, Photoshop 

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/13
• Shutter speed: 1/500s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 320

After exploring Cinque Terre from the land side, we decided to give it a try from the sea. At the boat rental, we got a rubber dinghy with an outboard engine and a handgrip for navigation. After a 3 hour tour where I could take some shots despite the rough sea, where I had to balance my body and the shot to stay in the boat and protect my equipment from the water. Then my wife got a bit sea sick, and with 35 C / 95 F, we felt a sunburn, despite the sun-blocker we used, which had sun protection factor 30. All in all, it was a  little (photo) adventure.  🙂

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

On Friday I watched DUNKIRK in IMAX 2D which was a very intense experience. Filmed in the IMAX format with analogous and hand cameras created sceneries where you felt to be part of it. The movie was a very authentic and partially filmed like a documentary. A masterpiece, fully recommended. *****

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/4.5
• Shutter speed: 1/800s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 100

For what is Italy famous for? Fashion is on the top list, even the bridal dresses have a unique Italian chic. Accidentally I entered that street where I saw a bridal shop which gave a cool lighting in this darker hour. I wanted to get the whole atmosphere with the contrasts on one photo, the perfect use for my wide angle Samyang 14mm AF lens.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/2.8
• Shutter speed: 1/250s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 800

The walk between Corniglia and Monterosso, hot, stony, dusty, steep, great views, heart rate 140 (according my iWatch), if you are there, I can recommend to do it. 🙂  The walk lasted about 4 hours, we arrived at about 4 pm in Monterosso, where we saw a fountain with fresh water at the village square, the first step for cooling off. Then we entered the beach and took a longer bathe in the mediterranean sea, the second phase for cooling off. 🙂 In the evening for dinner, we got fried calamari, an Italian specialty.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/22
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 250

At this nightly stroll, I didn’t had a tripod with me. The handrail of this bridge in Verona helped out, I could place my camera exactly in the desired position and was ready to shoot. My wife Karin was happy; she needn’t wait until the tripod would be prepared, adjusted, oriented and so on. Those little helpers could also be tables, park banks, sockets – all ready to be taken for shake free shots.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/1.3s
• Focal length: 36mm
• ISO: 250

To feel more like an Italian 🙂 , my wife and me rented two motor scooters in Verona. It’s the traditional Italian means of transportation in cities, you can go forward fast, see very much and the driving wind gives a cooler breeze. During our explanation tour, we stopped at that fantastic bridge Ponte Scaligero over the Adige, where I did that wide angle shot.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7S
• Aperture: ƒ/20
• Shutter speed: 1/20s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 100

The three-island-hopping started with Murano, then Torcello and ended with Burano. That is this little fisherman’s village which is world-renowned, because of the colorful, neat houses built at the canals. We had 50 minutes to explore the city. Before leaving, on the railing of the boat, I did that last shot which shows Burano at twilight. It also signaled the end of a day, where I walked endless miles with my photo bag.  🙂

Post processed with: Luminar, Photoshop

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/6s
• Focal length: 31mm
• ISO: 6400