I always wonder what it would be like to have a non-stop boat-lifestyle. Having a boat… sailing up and down the Italian riviera… stopping in one little town for a snack… going to an abandoned grotto for some diving… sailing to a new port for dinner at sunset… I think that would be a nice life, eh?

This was shot in Naples. The city has a beautiful castle jutting out into the Bay of Napoli. It overlooks a cool harbor, a thriving shop and restaurant area, and Mount Vesuvius looming on the horizon.

I was told to closely watch all my camera gear and bags while walking around Naples. There’s supposed to be a lot of crime, and I don’t doubt it. But I didn’t see any while there. The biggest problem was only have 15 hours of daylight to shoot, and I felt like I was a bit robbed by the god of time.

Filed under the categories: Amalfi Coast, Italy, Naples, Travel

I need to get back to Italy… It’s been too long… I’ve got a lot more places to visit and people to see. I’d love to go out shooting with my good friend Valerio again! Here are a few of my faves from ’round those parts.

The first is from a secret crypt under a church.  The second is Mount Vesuvius from the air.  The third shot across a farm near Pompeii.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Travel

I thought I would take a walk down memory lane and show a few of my lesser-known pictures from inside Italian churches. The colors and glows that come through usually come out quite nice in HDR. Actually, I think it is very hard to go back to shooting churches without HDR because it just doesn’t do them justice without it.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Naples, Travel

Giant caves were carved into the sea-wall. You can see how huge they are by that tiny-sized Italian man in his Euro-suit.

Filed under the categories: Amalfi Coast, Italy, Naples, Travel

Here are a few pictures from the Colosseum… you know… that place in Rome where Russell Crowe killed Joaquin Phoenix? … which reminds me that I really should go watch more Joaquin Phoenix movies… he’s always good, especially when he plays a kinda crazy guy.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Rome, Travel

My hotel room in Naples faced out across the bay of Napoli and Mount Vesuvius, where I could see the sunrise each morning. I always kept my camera charged up just in case there was one of these mornings, and fortunately, there always was. I can’t believe my friend Valerio (Valpopando) actually lives there and gets to see this all the time. I hope he appreciates it!

Filed under the categories: Italy, Naples, Pompeii, Travel, Vesuvius

Did I get that Italian right? I was kind of guessing. I picked up a little – very little. But I do know more than the average Olive Garden waiter, which is something I can be proud of, I suppose.

This was taken after I had walked about 10 miles all over the ruins of Pompeii on a hot summer day. I got away from the other tourists, who I generally dislike for no good reason, and found this spot that I was probably not supposed to be. The clouds were peculiar that day, and you can see them hovering over Mount Vesuvius. It’s interesting that the gap there in Vesuvius is actually what is covering the very ruins in which I was standing.

This second shot was from a small plane, barely airworthy, as it flew over Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Musings, Pompeii, Travel, Vesuvius

For whatever reason, I found it sneaky and fun to take pictures of nuns from behind in churches throughout Italy. I now have one with a black habit and a white habit. I look forward to getting the Emperor’s special redguard habit on a future trip. I tried two different DOFs, obviously.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Musings, Rome, Travel

I don’t do many things around the house, especially when it comes to things like painting, repair, and other silly things, like flushing. So it always impresses me to see someone that takes the time to actually get up and paint the ceiling, because if I were actually to do anything around the house, painting the ceiling would be way down the list (right after flushing).

And so here is another nicely painted ceiling in Rome…

Filed under the categories: Italy, Musings, Rome

Here is a shot from a Roman church, where the side walls are lined with tombs and statues. I found this one to be particularly macabre, and a good subject for HDR.

I also included a few shots from the nearby churches as well.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Musings, Rome, Travel

This is from a park in Milan. I forgot the name of it, but like everything in Italian, it sounds like food.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Milan, Musings

Here is a church in Rome that I grabbed in HDR. The stained glass came out nicely. If you click on the image beneath it, you can see my entire set called Churches of Italy.

Filed under the categories: Italy, Milan, Musings, Rome, Travel, Venice