It's that time of year when we reflect on the past and turn to face the future with a sense of newness. Hopefully, if you have a mindfulness meditation practice, that sense of newness will creep into every moment - after all isn't each moment absolutely and totally brand spanking new? At the turn of... Continue Reading →
Conversations on the streets
It was my interest in "street photography" that caused me to pick up a stills camera again five years ago after a twenty year hiatus from taking photographs (in the 80's and 90's it was how I made a living - but that's another story). Even in a place as picturesque as Venice I can't pass... Continue Reading →
Venetian glass
My last post showed just how crowded Venice can get. Amazingly, it seems that most visitors don't move very far from St Mark's Square, so it's actually easy to reclaim some personal space by taking a short walk or water bus ride away from the area. Venice is famous for beautifully crafted glassware. The most famous (and... Continue Reading →
The Gondoliers
Photographs taken with an Olympus OMD EM1 and 12-40mm f2.8 or Olympus OMD EM5 with Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 - In my opinion the perfect mirrorless travel photography kit. All photographs © all rights reserved, Miles Pilling
Heavy traffic on the Canalasso
All photographs © all rights reserved, Miles Pilling
Gondolas everywhere and not one I can afford
All photographs © all rights reserved Miles Pilling In Venice you cannot avoid gondolas. They are one of those "got to do" things for a lot of visitors. Personally, we made the decision to spend our hard earned money on nice Italian food and water bus fares to parts of the lagoon further away from Basilica di... Continue Reading →
Crashing a wedding shoot at Sky Over Nine Columns, Venice
I didn't literally "pap" these newly weds, but I couldn't sit by and let them have their wedding pictures taken in such a beautiful location without grabbing some candids myself! (Click on the images to see them in higher resolution) Heavy full frame camera gear there - I wonder if he's considered going mirrorless? If you've seen... Continue Reading →
Washing (the) Italians
A friend recently told me, with a bit of sadness, that she found the streets of Venice were not garlanded with colourful washing anymore. I may have been lucky, but just a few water bus stops away from the main tourist spots we found areas where the washing lines were works of art. . I spent a very enjoyable hour in... Continue Reading →
Venetians 3
I like the way most Italians have an innate sense of style - whatever their age. Here are two photographs of older Venetians who have definitely retained their style mojo - notice the umbrella hooked over his left arm, star-studded belt and the lovely watch. . I took the next picture at the corner of a café that sold the... Continue Reading →
Venetians 2
Following yesterday's picture that I captured through the doorway of a Venetian café, here are a couple of candids that I took from inside. A different café, but same camera and lens set up. Olympus OMD EM5 with the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 OIS lens - I just don't see the point of lugging around a heavy DSLR... Continue Reading →
Venetians 1
(Click on the image to see it bigger) Even at the height of the tourist season, when we were in Venice, it was still possible to spot native Venetians amongst the thousands of non-Italians. There are also bars and cafés away from Piazza St Marco where you can pick up a more authentic Venetian vibe.... Continue Reading →