Welcome to my blog, in which I post photos from recent travels and photography ideas.
These are posted irregularly, so log in at your leisure to catch my latest ramblings.
August 6 - Creating Unique Landscape Photos
I am back to blogging, hopefully more regularly.
My recent hiatus was because I was travelling in Newfoundland (later subjects for this blog).
Interesting landscape photos can be made during the sunny parts of the day, as in this image of ice-coated rocks on the shoreline of the North Channel in Blind River. But there is nothing unique with this photo.
Later on our drive west in January, I made this photo in South Dakota - great subject, but not a unique image.
This photo made near Lethbridge, Alberta, on the flat prairies stands out because of the atmosphere created by these dark clouds at sunset. Without this dramatic sky this would be a bland photo. I look for these great skies for unique photo ops.
Low lying clouds enshrouding Cascade Mountain in Banff create a sense of mystery, which would not be the case if this photo had been made on a bright sunny day. A beautiful mountain on a bright sunny day does not in itself result in a memorable photo.
Atmospheric conditions - fog - and back lighting make this photo of the Bow River unique. Many would not consider photographing this scene.
If the viewer is asking what is it, then you have a much more memorable photograph.
Viewers will talk about it, wonder about it. These are back lit frost crystals in the atmosphere on Silver Star Mountain.
So when a sudden rain storm develops, that is the time to use these atmospheric events to create a unique image.
Here I parked my car at a suitable angle so that I could make the photograph from my car window and avoid getting drenched.
This is not your typical photo of Kalamalka Lake in British Columbia.
A light snow fall and fog make this photo unique. Without these atmospheric conditions, this leaning tree would probably not stand out as it would blend into the background farm fields. Photo made at Tompson Lake, Vernon, BC.
If you want unusual atmospheric conditions, it often helps to get out early, even before sunrise.
Sunset is easier to photograph, when you don't have to be up at some ungodly hour. But then, everyone has seen numerous sunsets, but how many people have experienced the moody foggy morning as in the previous photo from Silent Lake, Ontario. Even so, a dramatic sky is a great subject for photographing, but it needs something unique as a silhouette. This is not the case here, but it can be called a nice photo. Besides, this was easy for me because this is of Long Lake, only a couple kilometres from my home.
I do not hope for a bright sunny day if I want to create photos. I much prefer "bad" weather.
June 6 - Visit to Cinciano Winery
Since we were in the Chianti region, I thought that we should try to visit one of Opimian's suppliers.
Opimian is a Canadian wine buying organization to which we all belong.
We eventually found our way to this winery near Poggibonsi - an unremarkable town.
We were eventually introduced to Giovanna, the General Manager, who offered to give us a tour of the winery cellars.
These are some of Cinciano's current products.
Next we went into the oldest part of the cellars.
These collections are from the 1970s - probably not drinkable, only history and nostalgia.
Veda, Jane, Bob and I were grateful for being able to tour these old cellars.
This is the courtyard of the winery complex.
We then chose to have lunch at the winery's Michelin starred restaurant.
We started with the requisite wine and bread dipped in olive oil, followed by a fabulous meal of braised beef.
Before departing we purchased a bottle of wine to go.
Giovanna with her husband and son.
A great way to spend a day in Chianti, a fabulous experience.
May 30 - Travels in Chianti
Our next days were spend touring in the Chianti region, which is located just south of Florence.
We were based in Greve, pictured above. This pink house down this narrow street was our lodging.
This was the kitchen and dining area. The sleeping rooms were off to the right.
These were some of the local wines which we enjoyed with our dinners at this house.
This butcher shop was located in the town's main square.
These prosciuttos hanging above were cured and ready to be served.
These are some of the vineyards in Greve.
The grapes (sangiovese) have already been harvested.
These vineyards are in the nearby village of Panzano.
This is Santa Maria Church in Panzano in Chianti.
Another Chianti village that we visited was Radda.
This was the view from the village walls. We then explored within the centre.
The black rooster symbol identifies Chianti Classico wines. These must have at least 80% Sangiovese grapes to receive this designation. One will find many other Chiantis, but those without the rooster label are blended wines. They are not necessarily inferior wines, just different.
Another village that we visited was Volpaia, a walled village typically on a hilltop.
Volpaia has a population of 32, and two wineries. Wines from Casello di Volpaia are readily available in Ontario.
These come with a high recommendation from me!
This scene, with the iconic cypress trees, is below Volpaia.
These vines I photographed on our way back to Greve driving through Val de Pesa.
May 21 - Villages of Val d'Orcia
This blog will look at some of the villages that we visited in the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany.
Bagno Vignoni was the nearby village of our air BnB, Santa Caterina.
It is unigue because this is the village square, a large thermal pool.
But it is a pool in which no one is allowed to bathe.
From our lodgings we could see the village of Rocca d'Orcia with its castle ruins.
This hilltop village is Pienza.
These are a couple street scenes in Pienza.
The duomo on the Piazza Pio II, Pienza.
Pope Pius II was born in Pienza, thus this famous duomo.
Interior of a shop in Pienza.
Flower pots in Monticchiello.
Street scenes in Montefioralle.
Wine merchant in Montalcino, the region of Brunello wines.
His wife was Canadian.
We took in a wine tasting of Brunello wines at Banfi Winery, the largest winery in Tuscany.
Another village that we visited was Montepulciano, where high-end wines are produced.
This photo is the Palazzo Comunale, or old town hall, in Piazza Grande.
These two shops were along the Corso in Montepulciano.
A tourist posed for a photo for her friends, so I also photographed her.
This is the old section of Cianciano Terme, a spa village of thermal baths.
We did not indulge.
May 3 - Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
The Val d'Orcia is mainly an agricultural area of gently rolling hills, farmlands and vineyards, with many hilltop villas and towns.
While based in Bagno Vignoni, as depicted in the previous blog, we toured this pastoral area.
Here are some photos of the rural parts of Val d'Orcia.
This is an early morning image overlooking an area of the valley.
Here the sun has risen over the valley.
These are the cypress trees that are the iconic symbol of Val d'Orcia.
These same trees on the driveway to Poggio Covili, near San Quirico.
The same cypress trees just before sunrise.
Here we are in the rolling hills near San Quirico.
This ring of cypress trees, known as Rondó, sits in the middle of farm fields.
One of the many hilltop villas.
Another cypress-lined driveway to a hilltop villa.
Vineyards near Montepulciano.
Bagni San Filippo has thermal baths along the stream, which are open to the public.
This tiny chapel, Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta, is situated on a promontory in the fields of Val d'Orcia.
The valley of the Orcia River is a picturesque area that was a pleasure to tour.