Italy 2016 Adventure

Italy is a country that amazes with her beauty, food, people, and varied landscapes.  This is why at M&M we rotate 3 different tours – Best of Italy, Classic Tuscany, & Northern Italy & Lake District photo tours.  This post is from the 2016 Best of Italy adventure.

Manarola long exposure with storm clouds

This year’s adventure started on the Cinque Terra where we enjoyed varied weather.  The shot above was shot at f/22 for 2 seconds at ISO 100 at 24mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Venice Gondola Blur at Blue Hour

Venice never disappoints.  We also hit Burano while in the area but this was the shot selected for the this post.  The shot above was shot at f/22 for 30 seconds at ISO 100 at 25mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 16-35L lens.

Ponte Vecchio at Blue Hour

Florence has so much to shoot and our groups love Blue Hour.  The image above was shot at f/16 for 8 seconds at ISO 160 at 35mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 16-35L lens.

Florence Duomo B&W

The Florence Cathedral is an architectural marvel with shapes, patterns, and simplicity.  The above image was shot at f/8 for 1/640 of a second at ISO 400 at 70mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 70-200L IS II lens.

Pisa and river with storm clouds

While doing our walk along the river in Pisa some EPIC storm clouds formed and the light on the buildings facing us was great.  The above image was shot was shot at f/22 for 1/40 of a second at ISO 400 at 24mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Pisa – Leaning Tower and Cathedral with storm clouds

The weather continued while we wandered the Field of Miracles shooting the Pisa Cathedral and Leaning Tower.  The above image was shot was shot at f/22 for 2 seconds at ISO 100 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Fun with reflections

While waiting for the light to shift we decided to have some fun with mirrored sunglasses.  Harvey modeled them and I caught most of the group in the reflection.  The above image was shot was shot at f/4 for 1/60 of a second at ISO 2000 at 105mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Amalfi Coast sunset

The Amalfi Coast is so full of beauty and color it is nearly impossible not to come home with some pleasing shots.  The above image was shot was shot at f/9 for 1/125 of a second at ISO 800 at 40mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Capri Islands Faraglioni Rocks

The boat ride around Capri was eventful – a little wind, a little water, some cool clouds and the iconic Faraglioni Rocks.  The above image was shot was shot at f/6.3 for 1/1250 of a second at ISO 800 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Capri Blue Grotto boats

As we were departing the port we walked past these extra boats which locals use to take folks to the famous Blue Grotto on Capri Island.  I added a bit of grunge for effect and the help the weathered look stand out.   The above image was shot was shot at f/8 for 1/800 of a second at ISO 400 at 35mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-105L IS lens.

Sorrento Boats

Sorrento is known for boats.  Evening light and the color cast shadows of the right hand boats makes this shot for me.  The above image was shot was shot at f/8 for 1/1000 of a second at ISO 400 at 400mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 70-200L IS II lens w/ 2x extender.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II & St. Peter’s Dome Color at Blue Hour

We always end the Best of Italy trip in Rome.  There is simply so much to see and shoot.  Can’t do Rome and not include a Blue Hour.  The above image was shot was shot at f/16 for 10 seconds at ISO 100 at 45mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II & St. Peter’s Dome B&W

A B&W rendition of the color image above.

Arch of Constantine – Rome

Putting a little more art in my imagery – shooting an arch through an arch.  Shot from inside the Coliseum.   The above image was shot was shot at f/11 for 1/400 of a second at ISO 400 at 40mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Trevi Fountain

On our last night we wandered till last and found the freshly restored Trevi Fountain refreshing and unobstructed.  The above image was shot was shot at f/16 for 5 seconds at ISO 100 at 28mm with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 25-105L IS lens.

Hope you enjoy.  We visit Italy every year and will hit northern Italy and the Lake District next May.  Check out http://www.mmphototours.com for all our tour offerings.  Hope to have you join us soon.

 

 

Florence, Italy

No trip to Italy is complete without a visit to the city that is the lifeblood of Italian culture, history, and art.  There is so much to see, visit and do that one should spend a minimum of 3 days in Florence.

My must see in Florence is David.  There is no greater work of art in the world.  Hewn from 1 piece of marble and larger than life the degree of difficulty and amazing finished product makes it the greatest work of art.

Canon 5DMKII Sigma 70-200 @ 200mm 1/90 (handheld) f2.8 ISO 800 Lexar Digital Film

Florence originated as a Roman city, and later, after a period as a flourishing trading and banking center it was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.  Florence was politically, economically, and culturally one of the most important cities in Europe and the world from the 14th century – 16th century.

The city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world.  The impact of its artistic, historic and cultural heritage in the world remains evident today.  Florence has a major impact in music, architecture, education, cuisine, fashion, philosophy, science and religion.  The historic centre of Florence contains numerous historical squares, Renaissance palaces, academies, parks, gardens, churches, monasteries, museums, and art galleries.

The facade of the Florence Cathedral and it’s Bell Tower are a must see:

Canon 5DMKII Canon 16-35L @ 16mm 1/500 f8 ISO 100 w/ Tiffen Circular Polarizer Lexar Digital Film

Starting in the late Middle Ages, Florentine money – in the form of the gold florin – financed development of industry all over Europe.  Florentine bankers financed the English kings during the Hundred Years War, as well as the papacy, including construction of their provisional capital of Avignon and, after their return to Rome, the reconstruction and Renaissance embellishment of the latter.

This shot is the dome of the Florence Cathedral:

Canon 5DMKII Canon 24-105L @ 40mm 1/500 f8 ISO 200 Lexar Digital Film

Florence was home to the Medici, one of history’s most important noble families.  Lorenzo de’ Medici was one of the key political and cultural masterminds of Italy in the late 15th century.  Two members of the family, were popes –  Leo X and Clement VII.  Catherine de’ Medici, married King Henry II of France and, after his death in 1559, reigned as regent in France.  Needless to say, the fortunes of Florence were extremely closely tied with the de’ Medici family for centuries.

This shot is of an Italian Cardinal speaking at a special mass we stumbled upon.

Canon 5DMKII Sigma 70-200 @ 200mm 1/45 (handheld) f3.5 ISO 2500 Lexar Digital Film

One last note on Florence – my favorite gelato on earth is found here.  Gelateria Carrozze is the place (Piazza del Pesce 3)  about 30 yards from Ponte Vecchio heading towards the Uffizi.  The Limone is my favorite.

Canon 5DMKII Sigma 70-200 @ 200mm 1/250 f4.5 ISO 320 Lexar Digital Film

We hope you enjoyed and will visit Florence with us next year.