Sunday, August 22, 2010 There are worlds of experience beyond the world of the aggressive man, beyond history, and beyond science. The moods and qualities of nature and the revelations of great art are equally difficult to define; we can grasp them only in the depths of our perceptive spirit.
- Ansel Adams
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 ;)
Venice is a city of onlookers, voyeurs and gawkers—most of whom are just visiting. However, it's probably no surprise that the locals are no less interested in who's in town.
Larger version here: Peeking Out From Within
Italy, Venezia, Venice, art, balconies, photo of the day, shutters, windows in Photo of the Day Thursday, August 5, 2010 ;)
One of the best parts of wandering around a place like Soave, Verona, Italy, is that there seems to be no end of winding side streets and partially hidden walkways, as well as a few paths lost to rubble and time. This particular one was certainly in fine shape, the stone slippery from hundreds of years of foot travel and slightly overgrown but in the most intentional way.
Larger version here: Shade from the Midday Sun
Italy, Pieropan, Soave, Verona, art, cobbles, landscape, pathway, photo of the day, stone wall, walkway in Photo of the Day Monday, August 2, 2010 Being an artist, I had an artist's instincts....You can see the picture before it's taken; then it's up to you to get the camera to see.
- James Van Der Zee
Sunday, July 25, 2010 
The best part of a place like Venice is that even the most mundane item carries an oddly more significant weight in or near the canals.
Larger version here: In Case of Rain
Italy, Venezia, Venice, art, boat, photo of the day, umbrella in Photo of the Day Thursday, July 22, 2010 
The Istituto Agrario San Michele all'Adige in Italy, a stunning region of Italy to visit.
Larger version here: The Hills are Alive
Working on a better solution for panoramic viewing, so hopefully there will be an update with a version you can really dive into.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 
The Campanile di San Marco on the Piazza San Marco in Venezia, Italia. Getting a shot of anything in this square that isn't loaded with tourists during the day is nearly impossible, and if you get in nice and close on the larger version, you can see throngs hanging out of the tower windows, but still, you can imagine it empty, can't you?
Sorry for the delay in posting. Technical difficulties cut me off from posting yesterday, so you get a double-header, in effect, for today. Enjoy!
Larger version here: The Lurking Storm
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 You see fleeting perfection of form merging with a significant substance, and you make a clicking noise only a hair's breadth away. You have then judged something, reported something, ostensibly truthfully... And when you made a clicking noise you said something eloquently if you are skilled.
- Burk Uzzle
Burk Uzzle, art, moments, photography, quotation, timing, vision in PQotD Tuesday, July 6, 2010 
I'm not going to lie, the canals of Venice are pretty spectacular. Now, I realize it's a gigantic floating tourist trap these days, at least between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or so. However, there's obviously something there of real value for that many millions of people to visit each year. It's not a fabricated environment in the sense of an amusement park (although, it is, of course, completely fabricated on what is really not even land at all), despite being co-opted for the sake of tourism, which ultimately pays all the bills for the fine residents of this sinking city. Is a cheesy/iconic gondola ride worth the 20 Euro? Probably. Especially on the off season when you actually get views of empty canals and a few moments of calm and quiet.
Larger version here: Afloat Upon the Ages
Italy, Lomo, Venezia, Venice, art, canal, photo of the day, waterway in Photo of the Day Monday, June 28, 2010
Sam Abell, art, photographs, quotation in PQotD