June 4, 2016: The Essence of Italy

This is a favourite photograph from a trip three years ago, to me it sums up the flavour of this country and also what my expectations had been. I loved it so much I had it replicated on canvas so I see it everyday.

Before I travel I always have in my head what I want to capture and what I think the essence of a place is….so for me, maybe the soundtrack to Roman Holiday was playing in my head but I needed to capture a Vespa digitally and bring it back home.

Oh, yes: Many a Vespa is languishing in the folder marked Italy on my iMac but this is the one that for me was just right.

My own Roman holiday had started a few days previously and after leaving the few people meant I was able to photograph to my heart’s content. For me this picture tells a story. The pots were still damp so the owner had been out earlier watering the flowers, the coffee was on and a visitor had arrived on the Vespa, no doubt there is a stone courtyard at the rear of the building where the friends are enjoying their cappuccinos.

Oh, I know I am making this bit up, my friend, but I have stepped into that picture many a time when sipping coffee in my conservatory.

The trip moved north to Siena and Florence and beyond but nothing captured me quite as much as this quiet corner in Saturnia.  So let’s enjoy La Dolce Vita if only in my head!