Dragonflowers

Lightening Rod

Taken in April in Rome, it's another ominous story of the Vatican visit - I felt as if at any minute the lightening would strike the obelisk !

Religious Facade

The wonderful black and white facade that dominates Il Duomo square in Florence; it is a hallmark not just of Florence but is found on treasured Tuscan buildings from Pisa to Pistoia.

The black and white is offset but a pinkish streak - even on a dull April afternoon the overall effect is quite startling.

Pompeii Plaza

Just love the angles on the "floor" of the square; this was taken in April on honeymoon in Italy. While visiting Pompeii, I loved the angles created by the ruined architecture - something new and beautiful out of something that once was whole, and beautiful.

Lord Vesuvius Sits Sullen

Lord Vesuvius sits sullen;

it's been a long time since

his last tantrum. We are still

counting the cost, we tell him

appeasing his mighty temper.

Lord Vesuvius sits shrouded

mysterious in the haze of

springs first sunshine; he will

not promise anything, he tells

us. He may yet have another.

geraldine moorkens byrne

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/2457308274_df06457f98_b.jpg

Interior thoughts

I have a series I took inside the Basilica, Vatican City, at low light without a flash, something that I struggle to do well. This is one of the better shots (newspublic.com asked to use it on an article) and I am pleased that I got a lot of detail, I like the angle, I like the roof and the way I got the dome. I need to practise more though, as I am too slow to get the right speed and light when strolling around.

Clouds over Capri

A beautifully sunny morning on the Isle of Capri, suddenly interrupted by a swell of dark clouds. The dullness was momentary, the day brightened almost immediately but there, between all my shots of impossibly blue sea and sky is this slightly darker, gloomier shot.

From one of the 7 Hills

Taken in the Palatine Gardens in Rome; the brown wall is part of the palace of Augustine and the distant hill is another of the hills of Rome - i liked the rural feel, perhps more like the view originally had from this sopt. The bustling heart of the Capitol has disappeared.

The Old Bridge

Ponte Vecchio, the oldest of Florence's six bridges, is one of the city's best known images. Probably going back to Roman times with its stone pillars and wooden planks; it was built in stone but then newly destroyed by a flood in 1333. It was built again twelve years later, perhaps by Neri da Fioravante (or Taddeo Gaddi, according to Giorgio Vasari).
The five arches became three and the main part was widened. The shops, housed under the porticos, first belonged to the Commune which then rented them out. But later on, towards the 15th century, they were sold to private owners and began to change through subsequent additions, raised parts and external terraces, extending towards the river and altering the original architecture in an anarchical, suggestive way.
from:

The Ponte Vecchio, Florence,

We liked the Ponte Vecchio best from the next bridge down. The Arno is still a beautiful river but the tourists are maddening (obviously we didnlt include ourselves in this :) ) and the shops are depressingly expensive - well probably not if you can afford the wonderful jewelry but even my doting husband rebelled at the price tags on display! The highlight of Florence for us was the Bargello Museum and I got some great shots of the Duomo as well, but they are for another day.

Moment in Time, Caught in Marble

One of the pieces on display in the Colosseum, the details and figures have burred and worn ofer the years but they are still an extraordinary work of art.

I really liked how it came out against the dark background - it feels as if it was suspended.

Pool of Blue

I like this one because of the blue, and the line of the railing, mirroring the landscape sweeping in the distance. It was an attempt as well to capture the impossible artificial blue of the pool, with the equally manufactured pollution blue haze in the background :) I was please how it all turned out, so I hope it's "holiday snap" element can be forgiven :)

At the Corner of City and Sky

Another from the top of Castel D'Angelo, Rome. I love the angle of the buildings, red agaisnt white and both set against the lowering thunderous sky.

Il Duomo, Firenze

Details

Heathens, Begone!

Why the title? well we felt slightly unwelcome when we pitched up the Vatican on a lovely bright morning....but then a thunderstorm broke out above our heads. But relaly, it only added to the drama and sense of occasion :)

Portrait of a City

Taken from the roof of Castel D'angelo, Rome, as a thunderstorm rolled in across the city (april 2008) One of a series I'll post up here.

Sorrento Magic

Full moon in Sorrento, as we stood on the balcony of our hotel. Taken with telephoto lens, it was an experiement in trying to balance the blooming thing :) while taking shots and I have learned that I need a tripod, urgently! But I was pleased with this shot as it captured the eerie light, the luminescent moon and the outline of the landscape beneath.

Facing the Past

Above us

Taken in the Vatican, one of the corridors leading to the Sistine chapel; the ornate, gold embossed ceiling stands out as ip lit from beneath. The almost overpowering opulance creates feelings of awe and one can easily understand the effect on the fatithful!

Grace in Ruins

Pompeii, Italy.