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Post by fumobici on Jul 1, 2019 22:57:56 GMT
I found myself in one of the world's most touristy places -- Florence, Italy -- and as I was up and awake early, decided to do a quick early morning stroll about around 6:30 to see what the most touristy spots in Florence would look like at that hour and test my hypothesis that it, at least during the longer days of the year, was possible even in Florence to find quiet empty streets and lushly diffuse morning light to take a few snaps.  Let's do a lap around the Duomo too see what's up. If this place is empty, that's a good omen. And it is.          So far, so good. Next, Piazza Signoria, another classic tourist hell.  Looking good. I actually had to wait to get some people into frame for this shot, guys pulling their carts to sell their wares.  Here's the Neptune Fountain, compare and contrast with bixa's from Piazza Navona.  Delicious emptiness-  Next the courtyard of the Ufizzi, famously crowded -- usually.    Then a leisurely stroll down the Lungarno to the Ponte Vecchio, across, then back to the North side.           There you have it. If this works in Florence in June, this will I'm betting work anywhere -- even at the height of tourist season. Tourists in your photos of popular sites or no tourists; your choice!  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 1, 2019 23:50:14 GMT
This is fabulous! The light throughout is exquisite and seeing Florence like this makes me feel as though I barely saw it when I was plunged into the maelstrom of tourists there. What a difference! I'm most bowled over by the cathedral pictures. It looks so difference with those leisurely long shots that really show the place off without a sea of bobbing heads and arms holding up phones in front of it. What a privilege to see all of these sites the way they were envisioned by their creators all those centuries ago.
Just one of the best ideas ever for a thread -- thank you!
And again -- that light 💛
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Post by mich64 on Jul 2, 2019 2:37:56 GMT
It looks like you had the city to yourself on your early morning stroll. Peaceful. Fabulous photographs.
My husband had a few mornings like that in Paris this past May. He is an early riser so he would leave the hotel room each morning in search of something to bring us back for breakfast. One morning he got lost as he thought he remembered a boulangerie a couple of blocks away from our hotel, he had to use google maps to find his way back! But he described the deserted streets, churches and major boulevards pretty much like the pictures you show, he enjoyed the peace and quiet as well.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2019 4:20:45 GMT
Great photos, fumobici.
As you may have noticed, I too enjoy taking unpopulated photos, usually at about the same time as you did.
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Post by bjd on Jul 2, 2019 6:34:50 GMT
It's said that early birds get the worms, but you got a bunch of great pictures. I like cities early in the morning too.
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Post by mossie on Jul 2, 2019 6:59:00 GMT
Some super lighting, but what really made me smile was seeing that market trader lugging his cart along with his father? standing on the back-----stark naked !!!
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2019 8:04:57 GMT
That certainly made me scroll back to see what you were talking about.  |
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Post by lagatta on Jul 2, 2019 12:21:44 GMT
I've done that in Venice as well. No tourists, but very early in the morning various kinds of workers arriving on boats. There was a LOT of rubbish to collect. I also enjoyed a coffee at a tiny bar with a bunch of workmen chattering away in Venetian. Some had a bit of white wine or stronger stuff along with their espresso. There were also stray cats and gattare (though that is the Roman expression) feeding them. I had a sketch pad and drew the gatti (or gati in Venetian, which is short on double consonants).
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2019 14:45:57 GMT
I agree that the not-yet-collected rubbish is sometimes a problem when you want to take pictures very early.
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Post by lagatta on Jul 2, 2019 14:54:37 GMT
There were workers busily taking the rubbish away on boats.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2019 14:59:24 GMT
I'm sure you will have a lot to add when Bixaorellana gets around to making her Venice thread.
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Post by lugg on Jul 2, 2019 19:17:38 GMT
Perfect - lovely to see this collection of photos at this time of the day. Can only echo what others have said about the perfect lighting .. really emphasises the beauty of the buildings and the river. ( PS I scrolled back too - haha Mossie)
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