Day 3 San Gimignano street scenes

Changing the photo pace on our trip through Italy, 

more time was spent looking for intimate scenes with that Italian flavor.

Now for a few snapshoots from Florence and San Gimignano. 

First, walking the narrow streets of Florence, we find, 

Stock House - Breakfast with Friends

Around the corner, another dines alone

After lunch, we drove out to the small village of San Gimignano

Olive trees in the Tuscan countryside support the town, 

economically and culturally

Strolling the narrow streets in San Gimignano, 

 Wash Day

Two girls and a waiter..

Public water spigots for all to use

San Gimignano Jury.

Each day they sit, 

watching the show of tourists in their little village.

Back in Florence, Arno River

Reflections

Seeing a bit of Tuscany through my eyes.

Those were just a few impressions from Florence and San Gimignano.

CCjon

24 Hours in Rome, Day Two

The last 24 hours in Rome were mostly taking night photos, visiting the Vatican and taking more night photos.  You ask why? The popular tourist spots are packed with people, kids, strollers, food wrappings, cofffee cups, etc. during the day.  Often making it impossible to get any kind of decent photo. 

But then night photography seems to lend itself to B&W photography.

Looking over Via Veneto, Rome

Princess kisses her lover

Michelangelo designed Piazza for Rome's Mayor

Steps leading down to Tiber riverwalk.

Who doesn't want to walk along a river bank at 4 AM?

Next day, early city crosswalk

Walking faster than us to the Vatican, late to Mass?

Finally daylight, Vatican St. Peter's Square, 

before the crowds arrive. We had very short lines to enter this early. 

In St Peter's Basilica, Michelangelo's famous Pietà statue, now behind protective plexiglass. It was smashed by a Hungarian, Laszio Toth, in 1972 with a hammer. 

The minor damage was repaired, but is now better protected.

Spiral staircase inside the Vatican Museum

Last night was dinner in the Vatican, sorry, no photos.

Bridge over the Tiber River to Saint Angelo's Castle, now a museum

Avoiding the tourist crowds, we visited the famous Trevi Fountain at four AM. 

Even at that hour, there were two other couples and a photographer there with the same idea.

No coins were tossed, only had a credit card.

Then we walked the ancient pilgrim's way, Via dei Coronari.

This hour of the night is safer for strolling strange narrow streets and ancient alleyways than in daytime.

Don't get lost though.

There are magnificent churches, statues and fountains around every corner in city centre Rome.

Where else to lock up one's bicycle for the night? 

We finished the walk in Piazza Navona.

Spotted an open coffee bar for a cup before heading back to the hotel. 

That tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe had the lightest, most delicate croissant we had ever had.  

Delicioso.

This wraps up our time in Rome. Tomorrow we go to Florence for a few days.

Hope you are riding safe 

Nite all.

CCjon

24 Hours in Rome Day One

Finally getting back to traveling after staying home in 2020-21 for Covid-19 avoidance. 

We left Texas on Sept 28th to traveled to Italy, with plans to see Rome, Florence and Venice. Gave the new black & white camera a workout; learning to adjust the settings, finding the right combination for the right exposure. What follows are some of the images captured from the first walking 24 hours in Rome. AFTER resting for a day from the long flights and even longer walks thru airport terminals to get here. Enjoy...

Part of original city wall

Electric bicycles are a common sight here

Looks like a folding electric scooter. 

Not sure how it can keep up with the fast moving traffic.

Elderly gent and umbrella casting a shadow

Cobblestone streets in the old quarters

An infamous tourist hot spot obviously, 

looking down the Spanish Steps to the fountain below from the church

 4 AM, looking up the Spanish Steps from the plaza fountain below...  

where did all the tourists go??

Remembrance Wall in the Jewish Ghetto,

where in October 1943 citizens were rounded up,

railroaded to concentration camps in Germany.

Saturday night dining for the younger crowd

Romance in the shadows

Illuminated Roman columns

That concludes today's work. Walked more miles than thought I could. 

Camera shutter finger is exhausted.

Going to bed.

Nite!

Goldwinging thru West Virginia - Ohio - Texas

Joined a group of Goldwing riders gathering in eastern West Virginia, trying to find a straight road. We failed! Though a friend mentioned that West Virginia has lots of straight roads...

straight up and straight down 

Those roads we found.

Was the first opportunity to really try the Honda DCT transmission on twisting winding roads with a fast-riding group of heavy bikes. Being the only sidecar rig was a challenge to keep up with the other Wingers on the narrow mountain roads, but switching to Sport Mode, adding a case of water ballast in the sidecar then applying the sidecar control tips learned from Marcus Renfro, was able to hang with the faster riders. A spirited ride does give your arms and upper body a workout.

No photos were taken during the ride but grabbed several when we stopped for lunch.

Downtown Beverly, WV. The red brick building was the county courthouse. The Pool Hall next door, was rumored to have a still in the basement and a bordello upstairs during prohibition. 

During the depression, my mother worked for a red brick/tile manufacturer, keeping their books. Seeing these buildings remind me of her.

Someone has properly restored this victorian home, standing seam roof and all.

First time I have seen a V-twin steam locomotive. The Heisler is six-axle, gear driven to climb the mountain rails. Not a cog drive. This locomotive has drive wheels all the same size powered by a center drive shaft. Interesting engineering design...

Today Heisler #6 is still in service with the CASS Scenic Rail hauling tourists, but in its' day, hauled tons of logs off the West Virginia mountains.



If interested in Heisler, here is a link:tps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heisler_

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heisler_locomotive.

From West Virginia rode up to the Cleveland, Ohio area to visit my brother Charles and sister-in-law, Marilyn. From there, the next morning rode to Napoleon, Ohio to meet my sister Peggy who drove down from Ann Arbor. Together we visited our 96-year-old Aunt Helen in a nursing home. Helen is the last remaining member of our parent's generation. 

Was successful in dodging the numerous storm fronts riding from Texas to West Virginia. Returning from Ohio was a different story. Was caught in heavy rains every day riding home. 

The Goldwing performed perfectly, I have decided it is a keeper.

Ride safe and far, my friends

CCjon

locomotive

Week 4: B&W Video Arcade Outing

While the ladies in the family were having a Baby Shower for Amanda in Austin, the soon-to-be father Sergio took the guys to a local video arcade, complete with old time real pinball machines. Something the younger ones had never seen.

In a very colorful locale with flashing lights, bright colorful neon, blinding LEDs all around, then the  walls and ceiling are painted a flat black and your only camera is shooting B&W... 

you focus on capturing people, contrast and sharpness. 

The following shots were taken to find the limits on the B&W camera in a high contrast situation with very bright lights and very deep dark shadows. 

************

The boys watching the fast moving silver ball roll and bounce round under the glass top. 

Their first real Pinball experience...

they loved it.

This realtime experience is more intense than an electronic game. They did not realize they could use body language to influence where the ball rolled. I remember the frequent "TILT' penalty I would get for overactive body language.

Back home we played the "Pinball Wizard" song for them, then disagreed

 over who made that song famous first, Elton John or The Who?

Before googling the answer, who do you think made it famous?

Of course, there were other rides and games too.

Now grandson wants to buy a "crotch-rocket" motorcycle.

The intensity and focus in trying to beat a game that is programed against you...

This final photo captures the look of amazement the first time you score an air hockey point against your Pop...

The family outing was a hit for all.

********

On the photography aspect,  the camera was more than capable of handling this challenging light situation if I used the right settings.  

For the photographer is was a learning experience. 

Ride safe and far my friends, 

Keep clicking.

CCjon

Week 3: Black & White Mall Photography

Back to the Mall, again in the late afternoon.

The sun is lower in the sky with that intense bright light casting long dark shadows.

Time to play with shadow, light and people.

As people emerged from shadows into the bright sun, they would squint till their eyes adjusted. 

This grandmother pushing the stroller is an okay snapshot, but not an attractive photo. It does display the dynamic range from white to black and the many tones in-between.

Tried shooting across the walkway as people walked into the sun. 

Again okay, but not what I was looking for.

Went home empty handed, frustrated.

*************

Return on a Saturday afternoon, more people, more action. 

Capture the following shots that I feel much better about.

Maybe he is a war hero or was it an industrial accident? 

Polo has a cool style, right amount of bling, dressed for a 98 degree day. People were hugging the cooler shadows. This is an open air mall, where only the store interiors are air conditioned. 

I am not asking people's permission to take their photo.  

Many are not aware I am even taking photos, though some are. They are all busy with their own lives, rushing to reach the next air conditioned store, ignoring the crazy guy in the sun with a camera.

Am learning to set the right exposure and distance before lifting the camera to snap the photos. Street photography is seeing, even foreseeing an event before it happens. One has the camera ready, shoot fast before the moment passes.

This Saturday there was a lot of shopping being done. Is the economy as bad as what the news reports?

This is a Premium Outlet Mall with many local shoppers but they also come here from outside the US. 

One hears many different languages being spoken.

I went inside to escape the heat, not to eat. 

Who goes to a kitchen with hot ovens to escape the heat?

In the food court, Ryan serves a customer their slice of pizza. 

The sun was blistering hot... 

The bright sun with the deep dark shadows was a challenge in finding the right camera settings.

One guesses the best they can, grab the shot before the people move on. On days like this, no one is leisurely lounging around. They are all moving quickly from one spot to another looking for cool.

More shopping bags, waiting to be carted home. 

Inanimate objects are the only shots I can slow down, take some time with. 

Making sure the exposure is correct before taking the shot. 

After walking around for an hour, decided to just sit in one spot and watch.

This young man was bored following his mother around, 

so he decided to start holding the door open for customers.

There is a challenge is finding the right camera setting for capturing both light and dark complected peopled without over exposing or under exposing the skin while working under a bright sun. In a studio setting one can adjust the lighting to compensate, but street photography is an uncontrolled environment. 

The busy B&W pattern in her blouse contrasted nicely with the sparse display window. 

Have heard that in desert climes one stays cooler when completely covered, no exposed skin.  

Temperature was 98 today, few clouds, bright sun.

This lady looks suffocatingly hot to me, but then I have never tried covering all. 

Maybe white robes would be cooler?

Is case you are wondering, in all the street photos of people I have taken, no one has questioned me, told me to stop or gotten mad at me. One can usually tell if a person does not want their photo taken by their expression. If I get a negative vibe, I just move on to the next subject that catches my eye.

In the photo above, you might wonder why she would allow me to take her photo. In this situation, when I see someone I want to photograph walking my way, I raise the camera as if focusing on the building in front of me. Then I wait for the subject to walk into the frame before snapping the shot. Sometimes the person sees me and detours around. If that happens, the opportunity is gone. I never try to chase them. 

Some who see me, will stop so as to not be in front of whatever I am taking a photo of.

But most others keep to their original trajectory,  ignoring me. That's what I want.

Am gaining confidence with the camera, finding the proper settings for snap street photography.

Am heading to New Mexico then Colorado for the national sidecar rally.  

More sidecar photos to come. Maybe even in color...

Stay safe, ride far my friends,

CCjon