Mambo Italiano

One of my favorite places in the world to visit is Italy. In addition to amazing food and art, there's also no shortage of interesting and breathtaking sights. On my first visit to Europe (in 2004), we went to Rome and Paris. I carted my heavy Canon Digital Rebel SLR and several lenses all over the place, much to the dismay of my aching back, but thought it was well worth the trouble for a few of the shots I took:

The Colosseum 

Motorcycles in Rome--a ubiquitous sight

Fountain detail

No smoking!

It's interesting to see how my photography practices while traveling have changed. For one thing, I take a LOT more photos. On my first trip to Rome, which was one week long, I took 549 photos. On my most recent trip (last October), which was only 4 days long, I took 1,850! Of course, it's a lot easier to take goofy selfies with a point-and-shoot than an SLR, so that might help to explain some of the difference...  

I also now I carry a much smaller, lighter point-and-shoot camera when I travel, which might also contribute to the increase in the number of shots I take. I used to operate under the assumption that I needed a really fancy SLR to get decent shots, but the quality of point-and-shoot cameras has improved so dramatically since my first trip to Europe that I don't think that's the case any longer. In fact, most of my favorite shots are from the point-and-shoot, which can even do a decent job at night photography:

Piazza del Popolo, Rome

St. Peter's Basilica at moonrise, Rome 

In addition to repeat visits to Rome, I've also been back to Italy to see Florence and Venice (some of these pictures have been featured in other posts), as well as the Amalfi Coast. It's hard not to fall in love with the wealth of stunning landscapes! Until next time, I'll leave you with a few more of my favorite shots.

Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi, Italy

Amalfi, Italy

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy

Sunset on the Lido, Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy

For Your Eyes Only

Although I've been putting together a gallery of what I think are my best photographs, occasionally I come across a photograph that, much as I'd like to post it in my gallery, I cannot, either because the resolution is too low or because I don't have a property release to use an image of the building for commercial purposes.  However, there's nothing stopping me from sharing them on my blog, right?  So, without further adieu, below are a few of the images I can't sell, but I'd still like to share.  Hope you enjoy them.

This photograph shows the Michelangelo's  staircase in the Vatican--you walk down this staircase after leaving the Sistine Chapel.  Pictures of the Vatican can't be sold commercially, though, so this one is just for my enjoyment.  And maybe yours now, too?

Apparently both the Louvre and the pyramid in front of the Louvre (yes, the one made famous by the DaVinci Code) are also illegal to sell.  However, looking at them is, thankfully, perfectly legal.

This one was taken through one of the arches of the Colosseum in Rome.  This one isn't illegal too sell, but it's too small to make a print of a decent size and quality to be worth printing. 

Some Healthy Competition

I recently posted about the importance of self-promotion for getting a little recognition for your work.  I then whined a bit about the advice to sell stock photography, which I have been following (albeit somewhat grudgingly).  One form of self-promotion I think gets less attention, however, is photography contests.  Now, I suspect that there are plenty of shady contests out there that are just fishing for information or photos.  However, there are plenty of reputable photography contests as well.  Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll win, or even get any recognition.  But, so long as I steer away from those which charge an entry fee and watermark my images, what's the harm, right?  And who knows?  Maybe I'll have a bit of luck and someone will really like my photos.  Plus, finding an image which epitomizes the sentiment of the contest or category forces you to think about your photos in a different way, and to get cracking on editing.  With that in mind, I've decided to enter an online contest.  There are a few categories I'm having trouble picking an image for, though.  I've shown the photos below, and I'd be very grateful for some feedback. I've listed the category name along with the photographs I'm considering below.  I can only enter one photograph into each category with the exception of the portfolio category, for which I get to pick three photographs.  Obviously I'm planning to do some watermark work before I submit.  Also, if you see anything in my gallery that I haven't considered but you think I should, please let me know.  Likewise, some of these images might fit into more than one category, so if you think an image would be for another category, I would appreciate the insight. 


The Wild World (nature)

On Location (urban, city, using surroundings to enhance image)

Still Life

Breaking the Mould (anything weird or wacky)

Portfolio (3 images)