Via Paolo Carcano

Not much to say about this photo from Como- I just like it that's all.

Milan 1962

Well not really 1962; but apart from the brand new Audi seen in the centre doesn't this look like a photo from the 60s?

Vietato Attraversare I Binari

The literal translation of this warning is 'Forbidden to Cross the Tracks.  Good advice in any trainstation I think.

Panino Giusto

One of the specialties on offer at Panino Giusto in Milan is a shot of espresso with a dice-sized cube of chocolate coated vanilla ice cream.  Unwrap the ice cream, toss it into the espresso and swirl it around a bit and prepare for heaven in a cup.

Bellagio Ristorante

There are loads of restaurants in Bellagio; this one caught my eye because of the unusual font used to spell out the word 'Ristorante'.

Bellagio Entrance Way

This apartment building entrance was photographed in Bellagio.

Italian Hillside Engineering

When one constructs a town on a hillside, such as Bellagio, there are many problems to over come such as placing a bench on a stepped ramp.  A bit of welding and presto - problem solved.

Shores of Lake Como

This photo was taken at one of the numerous ferry stops along the shores of Lake Como.  Canon G15 image edited in Adobe Lightroom and Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Streets of Bellagio

This public drinking fountain in Bellagio looks spectacular with the overhanging red leaves.

Bellagio Fenestration Details

From Como there is a ferry that will take you, amongst other places to Bellagio on Lake Como.  This window detail was taken there.  Using Nik Silver Efex Pro software allows me to capture every detail in the pealing paint and cracks in the stucco.

The Ubiquitous Vespa

The Ubiquitous Vespa - they are all over Italy and come in a variety of colours.  The newer ones are a little sleeker but the vintage models in pastel colours are my favourite.

Summer in Lombardy

In summer many Italians close up and head to the beach for holidays.  August is the preferred month it seems - this apartment building along the shores of Lake Como is pretty much boarded up for the August break.

Castello Sforzesco

The occupants of Castello Sforzesco went about Milan and the surrounding area rounding up Roman ruins to decorate their castle.  Hence this collection of Roman odds and ends all loosely strewn about the caste courtyard.  Unfortunately this method of preserving history has rendered these pieces somewhat meaningless because no one know from whence the came.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco, Built by the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza is a huge castle in the heart of Milan.

Castello Sforzesco

In my days preparing architectural drawings the 2D elevation ruled the day.  Hence the number of 2D photos I take, like this details shot of Castello Sforzesco in Milan.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano - the King of Cheese according to Chef Mario Batali (and what reasonable person could argue) - is pricey stuff.   One Amazon website lists the price of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano at $2,500.00; so that's about $12,500 worth of cheese in this shop window.  Or it could be a $30 plastic display but that kind of thinking ruins the romance of it all don't you think?

The Streets of Milan

Not much to say about this fairly typical street scene in central Milan.  I'm fond of the way the street car catenary overlays onto the image of the old bell tower in this photo.  Try to imagine what the photograph would look like without it; I think it's a stronger photo because of it as it adds both interest and depth.

Duomo Repairs In Milan

I once asked my dad how long it took to build our house and he replied that he started in 1954 and that it would never be finished.  Much the same thing when you own a fine old cathedral it seems; construction on the Duomo in Milan started in 1386 and they're still working in it.  These blokes are on the lunch time descent after a morning of repairing the marble roof.

Everyone Loves the Opera I Guess

We were standing in line for what is called a 'tour' at Teatro alla Scala (or La Scala as we anglophones call it) in Milan when I noticed how potential for a photograph utilizing the mirrors of these motorcycles.  The reflections are the only light coloured shapes in the photo, if you squint the strength of the composition is heightened  I think and looks a bit like an Alexander Calder mobile.

La Scala was pretty cool too, although the famous Italian Opera House could do with a more dignified and formal tour.  It's just a free-for-all really with hundreds of badly behaved school children running about smacking one another.

Milanese Simple Is Best

Usually the simplest compositions are best, as in this photo from Castello Sforzesco in Milan.  Classic rule-of-thirds composition, dark colours near the bottom, light colours on top - works every time.

Milanese Industrial Pop Art

This photo was made at the Science and Technology Museum in Milan.  It is a detail photo of a vintage military airplane.  The photo was converted to black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro software; my goal was to retain the shimmer of the aluminium and the keep the inky blackness of the aircraft markings.  I'm pretty pleased with the results, I plane to experiment with printing this photo on difference media to see what holds the intent best.

Milanese Industrial Details

This plaque was on the side of a locomotive observed in Milan.

Milanese Relections

These windows were reflected in the pools at the Castello Sforzesco; this is one of my favourite photos from our trip to Milan.

Milanese Grafitti

Generally I'm not a fan of Grafitti.  If this were my front door I'd be mighty cheesed off if I came home and found this.  But, some of these 'taggers' are pretty awesome artists' property rights aside, this looks seriously cool.

What Does Milan Look Like You Ask?

If you ever wondered what Milan looks like in the most general sense I'd say it looks kind of like this - at least the old part of town anyway.

Colonne di San Lorenzo

Colonne di San Lorenzo, or in English, the Columns of St. Lawrence, date from Roman Times.  They form the back drop for a public gathering space in Milan.  It was later afternoon when I happened to come along and school kids were hanging out.  In the lower left quadrant of this photo you'll see a fellow in a blue T shirt who had quite a lot to say and a large following of people who wanted to hear him.

Colonne di San Lorenzo

This archway at the Colonne di San Lorenzo in Milan was once the entrance to small residential neighbourhood that abutted the Roman colonnade visible through the arch; it was not the best of neighbourhoods and was demolished and replaced with a public courtyard.

Colonne di San Lorenzo

This statue stands in the piazza along side the Colonne do San Lorenzo in Milan.

Milan Industrial Abstracts

The photos from today and the three previous days are detail photos of a submarine on display at the museum of Science and Technology.  The first two photos in this series were taken in the train section of the museum.

Milan Industrial Abstracts

More industrial abstract photography from the Science and technology museum in Milan.  Tomorrow I will reveal the secret as to what you've been looking at these last few days...

Milan Industrial Abstracts

Next up in this short series of industrial abstract photos made in Milan.  Looks like some sort of science experiment - you'll need to stay patient awhile longer to know what this is.....