Is one day in Siena enough to see the city? Certainly not. But it is sufficient to be able to get lost in it. It’s probably my favourite kind of sightseeing – without a plan or tourist spots to pass. That way you don’t have to rush or look at a map too often. And Siena is a great place to wander around.
The pride and sanctity of the inhabitants are the contrade – the districts. Each has its own animal symbol, such as a unicorn, a dragon or a porcupine. Thanks to the ubiquitous flags, signs and coats of arms, it is very easy to see which district you are in. The very strong neighbourhood ties and local patriotism of each contrade are something unparalleled in Italy. It is rumoured that a relationship with someone from outside the district is still seen as a bit of a misalliance. Representatives of the contrade take part in the famous Palio – the horse races around the main Piazza del Campo square. It is a major festival held twice a year – on 2 June and 16 August. The Palio riders are treated almost like famous footballers. The square is also very unusual – semi-circular and sloping. It was built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheatre.
The perfect complement to aimless wandering around the city is good food. Tuscany has perhaps one of Italy’s most meat-based cuisines. Therefore, I would like to recommend two restaurants that I managed to test while in Siena: Antica Trattoria Papei and Osteria La Sosta di Violante.
Travel Palette of Siena
In Italy, I miss the golden Polish autumn and its colours. However, one day in Siena made me feel a bit of a fall atmosphere. It turned out that the city has beautiful warm colours. First of all, a warming burnt sienna. Yes, this colour is named after the city. An enveloping and aromatic saffron. The mild tan provides a beautiful background for the other, more vibrant colours. Did you know that the Polish language lacks many terms for shades of the colour brown? The English name “tan” means the colour of tanned leather. In Polish, it is simply light brown. Misty pink, on the other hand, adds a dreamy atmosphere of dawn and dusk.
The capital was the last stop on my Iceland trip (gallery). After two weeks in the middle of stunning nature, a walk around Reykjavík turned out to be a completely different experience. I think we already get used to the emptiness, space and desertedness. And since our road trip was quite intense, we decided to spend the last three days in Iceland wandering around without a specific (tourist) destination and eating well.
The capital
The capital region is home to two-thirds of the country’s population, which is only 222,500 people. You can imagine that it is not the largest city. That’s why a walk around Reykjavik is very relaxing. Even despite the cold weather. The city lacks the rush of other European capitals. The streets are bustling but without the noise of cars (maybe because most of them are electric?). Restaurants and bars are full of people and good food – I particularly recommend Braud & Co and Forréttabarinn. Although the city plan is not regular, Reykjavik gives the impression of being very structured thanks to its uniform architecture. Whether it is traditional wooden houses, industrial buildings or modern architecture, we can see that symmetry and rhythm are maintained. A beautiful contrast to the whole is the ubiquitous, energising street art.
Travel Palette of Reykjavik
The city repeats the country’s natural colours – dark, silvery and cold. But we can also notice other strong colours, especially present in street art and architectural details. The most common of these is red.
The photo session in Milan is a surprise gift from Paweł to Ewelina on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. Their shared passion for travelling, especially around Italy, made it an unforgettable experience. This time, it was the first trip with an enlarged team – their little daughter was born. That’s why Paweł and I agreed to the photo program and the route of visiting places much earlier, taking into account the needs of the young mother and baby. During summer photo sessions in Italy, it is important to remember how severe the heat can be. We were lucky that day and the temperature dropped.
We started our photo walk at the famous Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – the landmark of Milan. After that we entered the Museo del Novecento (20th Century Museum). Few people know that its floor offers a beautiful view of the cathedral, and photos can be taken without a crowd of tourists in the background, which adds a unique charm to them. The walk also took us through the charming streets of Via dei Mercanti and Via Dante to reach the Sforza Castle and Sempione Park. Our little model turned out to be extremely patient, which also allowed me to capture several touching portraits for her parents. It was a special day full of emotions and beautiful moments that they will now be able to capture forever thanks to photography.
Privacy during the photo session
Out of concern for the privacy of photographed people, I always act based on their wishes. and do not publish photos without consent. In response to the parents’ request, I respect the decision not to publish photos with their daughter’s recognizable face. It is important to me that each person feels comfortable and safe during joint photography projects. I respect the privacy and intimacy of my clients, which allows me to build trust and create authentic, beautiful images that reflect their personality and story. Cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding is the key to successful sessions and satisfaction for both me and my models.
The photoshoot at Golfo Paradiso was made to say goodbye to summer. In 2022, with Saba and Stephanie, we decided to celebrate almost at the end of the world – we went for an aperitivo to Punta Chiappa on the charming bay of Golfo Paradiso (Italian: Paradise Bay). It is located in the eastern part of the Ligurian Riviera. Punta Chiappa, on the other hand, is a sharp section of land – la punta (it. the point). This place is part of the Portofino Natural Park, a Marine Protected Area of the commune of Camogli. We took a train from Genoa to beautiful Camogli. While waiting for the water taxi to take us to Punta Chiappa, we saw a small port. We were also lucky because on this day the Dragonara castle was open to visitors.
Capitan Mugugno
Finally, a water taxi took us to the Capitan Mugugno bar hidden among the cliffs. From the motorboat we could admire the panorama of Camogli – it looks even more beautiful from the sea. The journey took about 15 minutes and transportation was provided by the bar. Capitan Mugugno is the size of a kiosk and opens only in the summer season. Fortunately, summer lasts a very long time in Italy. The tables are placed on a concrete platform right by the sea. When you get off the boat, you can almost immediately take your seat. To the delight of all adult “children”, there is also a swing there!
We were very lucky again and got a table at the very end of the pier – with a view of the sea. Thanks to this, we had the opportunity to observe how the colours of the water and sky change with the setting sun. The passage of time was clearly visible, but I felt as if everything had stopped. The isolation, the sound of the sea and the spectacle of light were like meditation. The whole thing was crowned by the night illumination of towns visible on the distant shore and the endless, dark nothingness of the water. We said goodbye to summer in the most magical way we could have imagined.
Before I flew to Iceland for the first time, I had already imagined the story I wanted to tell with my photos. A story of the smallness of man in the face of the vastness and power of nature. Our journey around Iceland lasted two weeks and I didn’t feel that way once. Everything, despite its boundlessness, had good proportions and was in its place. Mountains covered with clouds. Water penetrating every possible crevice. The sun is not setting. Empty spaces filled with lupine flowers. I felt a very natural comfort.
Isolation
The journey around Iceland was supposed to be a story about solitude because, after all, there are only 368,590 people on the island. But I didn’t get to experience that either. Everyone has their own space of privacy and autonomy there, so there is no need for barriers. There are no fences or curtains. Even the sheep don’t bother and come right up to the road. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to understand that we are not the center of the world.
Vanishing
Unfortunately, this is also a bittersweet story. In the face of ubiquitous nature, it is very easy to see its scarcity in the daily life of crowded cities. It’s as if the lack of space to wander with our eyes diminishes our perspective. However, I was most struck by this when visiting the Langjökull Glacier. It is the second-largest in Iceland (roughly the size of Lisbon) and could disappear in about 80 years.
Travel Palette of Iceland
Fortunately, the journey around Iceland is still a story about colors. It’s surprising how many shades can exist in such harsh conditions of fire and ice. Everything has deep hues that change tones. Cool and silvery in the fog or warm as soon as the sun comes out from behind the clouds. In addition, somewhat playfully contrasting yellow and purple flowers. A color palette so different from pastel cities.
A photo shoot in Genoa can take place in many places. The proximity of the sea, charming narrow streets with small houses and elegant palaces remembering the city’s former glory provide endless opportunities for a photographer.
I took the photos with Maria Rosa on one of my favourite routes in the Old Town. We start on the elegant via Garibaldi from Piazza Fontane Marose. The street is also known as Le Strade Nuove – New Streets. There are Renaissance and Baroque city palaces included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I especially recommend one of them for photo sessions – Palazzo Doria Tursi. Currently, there is a city hall there, so it is open to everyone and you can easily visit its courtyard and cloisters. This time, however, we did not go inside, taking advantage of the beautiful light on via Garibaldi. The summer sun slowly disappeared behind the roofs of the buildings, casting theatrical shadows on the street facades, creating a perfect scenery for photos.
At the end of via Garibaldi we turn into the narrow street Salita di San Francesco and then continue on Salita alla Spianata di Castelletto. Both streets are located on a slight hill, so you need to be prepared for a small climb. However, it is worth it – colourful tenement houses with green shutters take us to a completely different atmosphere. Additionally, you won’t meet many tourists here, which ensures a calm and intimate atmosphere when taking photos.
After a short climb, we reach the Belvedere Castelletto observation deck. From this place we can see a panorama of the famous grey roofs of Genoa and the most important buildings of the city: the aquarium, the cathedral and the lighthouse. It is also one of the best points (especially in autumn) to see the sunset over the city. After dark, it is worth staying there a little longer and ending the day with a glass of wine. I recommend the Calice bar the most.
If you don’t feel like climbing, you can also get to the observation deck using the elevators: Ascensore Castelletto Ponente and Ascensore Castelletto Levante.
Have you heard about the hidden beach in San Fruttuoso? If you haven’t lived in Liguria, probably not. This undiscovered gem is located on the peninsula between Camogli and Portofino. A pebbly beach with emerald water hides in a bay among rocks and pine trees. On its shore, the Benedictine fathers built their abbey – Abbazia di San Fruttuoso (10th-13th centuries). The white walls of the monastery contrast beautifully with the strong colour of the water and trees. Another hidden treasure of the bay (unfortunately only visible to divers) is the statue of Jesus, Christ of the Abyss, erected at a depth of 17 metres. San Fruttuoso can only be reached by boat or on foot via a mountain trail. Its inaccessibility, proximity to the monastery, omnipresent nature and its elements make the place even more magical and sacred. And despite the cloudy November weather, I was sure that the photo session in San Fruttuoso would be an unforgettable memory for Maddie and Greg.
How do you plan a day trip to San Fruttuoso?
If you ever visit Liguria, San Fruttuoso is a great idea for a one-day trip. As I mentioned above, the abbey can only be reached by boat or on foot. The ferry leaves from the port of Camogli (Cruise Terminal) and runs between Camogli – Punta Chiappa – San Fruttuoso. You can use this company, for example. The journey takes about 30 minutes and from the ferry deck you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Camogli. There are also two trekking trails leading to the abbey. The first (Batterie) is very challenging and leads partly along a cliff. On the route you can see several World War II bunkers. The second (Pietre Strette) is located inland and is much easier. There are several small bars in San Fruttuoso, but remember that they are only open during the season. So if you want to have a picnic on the beach, you should also consider taking drinks or food with you.
Żaneta studied Italian at the university, so choosing Italy for her honeymoon was not a surprise. Deciding where exactly she wanted her post-wedding session was a little more difficult. Italy has countless breathtaking, romantic places. Ultimately, the Ligurian coast won. I suggested several nearby locations for the photo session, including Lerici, Sestri Levante, Cinque Terre and Portovenere. Ultimately, the bride and groom chose one of Cinque Terre – Riomaggiore from my proposals. I was excited about this choice because the small seaside town offers many photographic opportunities. Picturesque, narrow streets hidden in the shade create an intimate atmosphere and allow for a moment of tenderness away from prying eyes. The energising colours of the facades create a contrasting background to the black and white newlyweds. And on top of all that, the proximity of the sea, fishing boats in a small port and a pink sunset at the end of the day. Can you imagine a more beautiful scenery?
Is August a good month for a photo shoot?
The wedding photos in Riomaggiore took place in August. The summer sun gives the colors incredible intensity. And the amount of light allows you to take photos without rushing – sunset is after 9 p.m. However, there are also some downsides. High temperatures make it difficult to stay in wedding clothes and makeup. That’s why I often encourage you to plan your day in such a way that the fatigue from the all-day heat is not visible in the photos. Moreover, August is holiday time in Italy, so the number of tourists and prices definitely increase. As you can see, I have my tricks to avoid crowds being visible in the photos. However, I suspect that more introverted people might feel awkward posing among so many people. Therefore, if you have a choice, I recommend sessions in late spring (May, June) or early autumn (September). During these periods, the heat is not yet noticeable and the number of tourists decreases. I must admit that autumn sunsets are my favorite.
I encourage you to check out other galleries presenting portraits of couples.
The waters are barely lit on the surface, but you can feel their dark depth. The sea is like that, and that’s why I love it! A call to life and an invitation to death.
Albert Camus, American Journals
The artistic collage presents the story of the relationship between the Girl and the Sea. This extraordinary dynamic oscillates between harmonious symbiosis and delicate competition. The story begins with a spontaneous decision – a brave leap forward. The situation is getting out of control. However, the paralysing feeling of falling and the moment of panic disappears in the rhythmic waves of water. Natural meditation and surrender to the power of nature make your self-confidence return. Slowly, a relationship begins to form between the girl and the sea. The control gained over the situation is not just a rigid boundary, but a joyful synergy of coexistence. The girl can draw from the source of the plastic power and unbridled freedom of the sea. However, the vast depths of the sea have their dark secrets and corners of horror. Perhaps one day the Girl will also become a part of these undiscovered places. But in this moment of triumph, it doesn’t matter.
Behind the scenes of the photo session
The photo session with Francesca was a unique artistic challenge for me. I knew I wanted to experiment with a new means of expression, and my open model responded fantastically to the ideas. We took the photos during one of the closures of the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, I had neither a professional studio nor lighting at my disposal. I took photos in a room from which I had removed all the furniture. The photos took as long as the natural light allowed. Perhaps these limitations and isolation inspired me to create a collage with the sea, which I associate with unbridled freedom. Moreover, I have always believed that water is a very plastic medium through which feelings can be symbolically shown. For this project I used my photographs of the Ligurian Sea and the Gulf of Paradise (Golfo Paradiso) in Camogli. The uniform sky background highlights the main characters of the photo – the Girl and the Sea. A white light source accompanies the girl. It can be the sun or the moon at the same time, combining their unchanging masculine and flexible feminine energy.
I invite you to see other artistic portraits in this gallery. You can read more about my personal connection with water on the “About me” page.
The small town of Żyrardów near Warsaw has the atmosphere of an English industrial city. Not without a reason. The first thing that catches the eye after arriving in the town is the coherent, brick buildings. Such uniformity in urban planning is not common in Poland. However, few people realise that garden city Żyrardów has origins in the concept of the British planner and urban planner Ebenezer Howard.
The Concept of The Garden City
The industrial revolution in nineteenth century England had a very strong impact on urban planning. People came to cities in search of work, which led to overcrowding and deterioration of living conditions. The answer to this problem was to be “garden cities” on the outskirts of large industrial centres. Ebenezer Howard in his concept tried to combine the features of urban and rural buildings. The advantages that were to attract new residents were:
sparsely populated – 32,000 people in 9,000 acres (3,642 ha),
green areas (4:1 ratio with built-up areas),
self-sufficiency of the city,
urban infrastructure and access to cultural and social life,
compact, low housing.
His satellite “garden city” had a concentric plan. The boulevards radiated from its centre, dividing the city into six equal parts. In the centre Howard planned a round square with a garden and surrounding public and cultural buildings. Other rings extending from the centre are: the Central Public Park, a glass arcade – a marketplace, a residential zone, a green belt and an industrial zone. Six of these satellite towns are located around the central city. They were all communicating with each other and surrounded by arable fields. In Poland, the greatest number of “garden cities” were built around Warsaw.
Garden city Żyrardów did not reflect Howard’s exact concept, but adapted many of its features. The settlement was established among fields and forests in 1830, when, on the order of the government of the Kingdom of Poland, Filip de Girard 1 moved a linen factory 2 there. In 1857, the new factory owners, Karol Hielle and Karol Dittrich, extended the settlement based on the idea of a “garden city”.
Żyrardów as a Garden City
Carefully prepared plans made Żyrardów a self-sufficient centre. Compact, low housing estates for employees had higher standards. Buildings surrounded by gardens had storages, allowing for storing supplies and breeding small animals. Seven villas, inspired by the French Renaissance, were designed for the factory’s senior officials. The service part included, among others a nursery, schools, mills, a slaughterhouse, shops, a bathing beach, a laundry, a canteen, a fire brigade, a hospital, churches and a cemetery. All buildings had a uniform style and materials (brick). Of course, greenery has not been forgotten. The buildings were built on large plots of land, surrounded by gardens and green belts. Public parks had sports infrastructure (fields) and cultural infrastructure (amphitheatres). Until the outbreak of World War I, Żyrardów was the largest linen factory in Europe.
1Philippe Henri de Girard is a French engineer and inventor, incl. first flax spinning frame. In 1825, at the request of the Minister of the Treasury of the Kingdom of Poland – Prince Franciszek Ksawery Drucki-Lubecki, he took the position of chief mechanic at the Mining Department of the Revenue and Treasury Government Commission. Interestingly, the very Polish-sounding name of the city comes from the French name of Filip de Girard, or more from its polonized version – Filip de Żirard. 2 The factory was originally located in Marymont – a district of Warsaw.
Recent Comments