Twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the Tuscan town of Siena, Italy goes wild for Palio, the famous horse race that dates back to the 13th Century. Thanks to Siena International Photography Awards (SIPA) founder and photographer Luca Venturi, for sharing a link where you can watch the festivities leading up to race day and the main event live on July 2! Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing some of Luca’s photos…
For me, one of the most fantastic aspects of travel and new cultural experience is that it stimulates a sense of wonder about the world. It’s like a treasure hunt for hidden histories — and mysteries. Everything from the smell of foreign spices in a Mexico City market to peeking through a rusting keyhole into a crumbling courtyard in Venice feels thrilling — and makes me want to learn more. Where does that corridor lead?…
It was a pleasure to write about Italian photographer Andrea Giandomenico’s work recently for Street Photography Magazine. The moment I saw his striking images from rural Italy, I asked him for permission to propose a feature. The piece explores a different and more difficult type of street photography and the importance of capturing the spirit of a place and its people without being a disruptive force in the process. Andrea Giandomenico’s Le Marche Le Marche,…
It was truly an honor to be part of this great international event and meet award winning photographers from around the world again this year in Siena, Italy at the Siena International Photography Awards ceremony & festival. Congrats to all of the winners and kudos to the event organizers, including Luca Venturi and his team, as well as Master of Ceremonies Luca Bracali and event photographer Ernesto Mangone. Bravo! 20 powerful, award-winning photos that will make you fall in…
I got into Florence, Italy very late last night & arrived at my room at Hotel Angelica near midnight. It turns out the lovely woman who checked me in after hours was Angelica herself. This morning, after two delicious cappuccinos & a long walk, she sent me off to the train station (conveniently right around the corner) with hugs & kisses. Now that’s service! She told me I look Italian & wished me a good journey.…
When I first saw Italian photographer Michel Giaccaglia’s images from his “Wild Garden” series, shot near his home in Le Marche region of Italy, I instantly felt transported. There is magic in his images that took me inside of the secret natural world that lives on around us — whether we are in the thick of it on a hike or merely peering at pieces of it from our apartment windows. Michel’s dedication to this…
In 1942, amidst the fuel rationing of World War II, great American photographer Ansel Adams attempted to get some sleep on a bench at the train depot in Livingston, Montana with 280 pounds of camera gear piled next to him. Yellowstone Lake by Ansel Adams, Public Domain He was on his way to Yellowstone National Park and was forced to take public transportation between U.S. National Parks instead of driving his own car due to…
I had the great pleasure of visiting the magical Tuscan city of Pistoia in March when I traveled there with renowned Pistoian photographer Luca Bracali. Michela Ricciarelli is lucky enough to also claim the charming Medieval town as her birthplace — and who better than a passionate local to provide authentic insight, photos and travel tips. Thank you, Michela! Pistoia, Tuscany’s Hidden Gem: More than 5 reasons to visit – a letter to visitors traveling in…