Tuscany (2007)
The extraordinary can only appear when it shines through something being what it is – ordinary. ~ Julie Daley, Unabashedly Female
My first trip to Italy – my favourite country on earth – was in 2007 and I soaked up every moment. Who knew if I would ever get to go back? As a photographer, not knowing if I will ever be back makes me want to bring back images that reflect the essence of the place. The good news is that we don’t need a whole lot of gear to do that. We need our cameras, our eyes, and our heart. We need to see the place just as it is and show the heart of the place by simplifying.
The image above shows a simple, ordinary, yet extraordinary bench. The composition has many of the elements of simplicity – only one subject, a textured, colourful background, and lots of space. It’s allowed to shine. To me, it represents everything I love about Italy.
Such a simple and interesting bench! Italy is my favorite country too!. My husband and i explore other places, but end up telling each other “It’s nice but it’s not Italy.”
Your image has everything: simplicity, colour and texture, I especially love the simplicity!
I’m amazed at how many people who live outside Europe love Italy so much! I wonder why? I don’t know if I have a favourite European country because I’m surrounded by them!
I love what you say about “images that reflect the *essence* of the place” (or the object). You “capture” that so well here! I *feel* the simplicity – a kind of enchanting antiquity in just this one piece that welcomes me in…
What a beauty! I have never been to Italy – but this really does capture what I think of as the essence of that wondrous place. I love the echoes of color between the bench, the wall and the ground. Such lovely textures. And beautiful simplicity.
Aaaah – I had a similar experience in Italy…wanting to capture and record every moment and inch and to feel its beauty. Love your bench!
I can “see” what is not included in the photo…..the people walking past the bench, an old woman sitting on it while she waits for the bus, the door front that is off to the side of your picture, and so on. The actual absence of other images allows me to fill them in much like a story without pictures permits the reader to “draw” each scene. Very compelling photo.