Saturday, March 18, 2017

A Morning Walk Through Lucca

Yesterday I had the delightful pleasure of walking around Lucca with no design other than to see what was going on. Always wonderful happenings when walking in a town where everyone walks... being on the move with your feet creates it's own compelling energy. I love it!

These are the images I created from my rewarding walk in the morning for 2 and a half hours starting at 10:30am with the focus being on seeing and trying to make a good photograph. So lucky to be able to stroll out my front door and wander around town on a beautiful day with my new camera, the Fujifilm X-T2,  and my iPhone, but those will be posted later, maybe. Here are the mirrorless camera photographs (Fujifilm X-T2). I processed them in Adobe Lightroom playing with a new tonality I'm experimenting with, hope you like them.

Started the walk here, in the Piazza we live on. The view is always interesting and vibrant. The tables and umbrellas just went up yesterday, the warm season has begun!
The large structure behind the umbrella could use a facelift, any investors out there want to see what they can do with an old Palacio?

Everyday working people working. 

Live music under the old wall, on the way to Porta Elise.

A favorite view of mine... there are many :-)

A cool looking car for Andy, Ian's roommate and friend, to appreciate. 

Pasta!!

All kinds of fashion around, even little boys have it here in Italy.

Taking a child on a bike through an arch in the old wall. 
(You don't see that in Massachusetts!)

Spanking new notices put up as I walked by. 

Man bun. 

Such a sweet dog, very soft, too. 

Watering on the balcony in Piazza dell' Anfiteatro. 

Yes, everyone rides bicycles here. 

I love seeing the bicycles everywhere, adds to the charm of Lucca.

This last image was taken into Adobe Photoshop where I added a texture from Kerstin Frank, who is on Flickr, she generously provides free textures on her feed.  All the other images were only taken through Adobe Lightroom, both in the Adobe Creative Cloud version of these programs.


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Back in Lucca, Italy!

Lucca continues to captivate me, this is my 4th time visiting this charming Tuscan walled town and each time my stay is longer. First time was for a week and I'm fortunate enough to be here with Joe for 6 weeks this time! Counting my blessings :-) 

I am now the proud owner of a Fujifilm X-T2 with an 18-135mm lens, I left my big Canon at home. Walking around Lucca is always delightful and we've been happily walking a lot, seeing beautiful sights around every corner!  Here are a few from our first days in town.

The main Cathedral in Lucca

 Someone I haven't met.

Bicycles are everywhere, cars are discouraged and a limited number are allowed inside the walls. 

A photographer at work! 



The famous walking wall surrounding Lucca seen here as the sun is setting.

Looks like an image from Joe's blog today! Ha, we were standing next to each other :-)

Vegan is mentioned many more times on menus!!

Another lovely shop: "Isola" 

 A before dinner aperitif....

Statue of Puccini 

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Night Time in Dublin

A rainy day today here in Dublin, but it cleared up for a bit on our way out for dinner. On our way home we ducked in for a Guinness, at least I did, Asha kept me company at our great seats that overlooked the busy street. We sure enjoyed watching the people, complete with wet streets, umbrellas and a well placed cigarette....photo ops!!!









On our way home we walked by a few other interesting buildings...

... the modern tram....

...and a person waiting with an umbrella.

This is where we ate last night, high above the city with a view of the sunset. No rain :-)

A small French bistro with interesting lighting, Asha being a good sport.


Friday, September 2, 2016

Colorful and Exciting Dublin!

My friend Asha and I have been in Ireland for a week, our first trip to the Emerald Isle for both of us, exploring as much as we can on our 10 day trip from Boston. There is enough to keep anyone busy for a few months, everywhere we've been is beautiful!!
My camera and I have been working overtime, and even though I've taken over 2000 images, the blogging has not been done, even with the best of intentions.
Today we're in Dublin, an exciting and colorful city, and here are the things that caught my eye. Hopefully I will also post the gorgeous countryside we've seen before our time in the big city. 
The days are speeding by, as with any vacation, and we've been fortunate to have excellent weather, fine food and to have met very friendly people. If you're thinking of visiting, do it, you won't be disappointed!! It's justifiably a popular place and every country seems to be represented from the many languages we've heard and folks we've met.

Trinity College, a big event today with much excitement about an upcoming football game involving Boston College.

A bridge over River Liffey

So helpful to have this written out on many crosswalks!

Tourists playing in Merrion Square

A cool looking bird in St Stephen's Green

Working men taking a break, Irish version of older men on a bench you see in Italy???

Trump really gets around



Do I have a deal for you...
  
Yep, Trump again, this time with Obama. The Paddypower store was next door.

Getting ready for the big game today with Boston College

River Liffey

The infamous Temple Bar... or one of them in an area known as Temple Bar



Lots of shopping going on, too :-)