Cello Maker

I walked by this cello/violin shop on my last night in Rome a few months ago. Doors were locked. Nobody there. I took this image through the window and stood peering in for a few long moments. I left feeling as though I had just walked through a hard to find painter's studio or the perfectly messy poet's desk.

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Inspiration 

Rome, Italy.

Black & White Italy

Below is a slideshow of black and white images from Venice to Tuscany to Rome. From the landscapes to the people to the details... All of the images were taken from the end of December through early January.

Lucca

Lucca, Italy. Path on top of the wall.
 

Gombitelli, Italy

Bunch of Sticks

Near Gombitelli, Italy.

Portrait of a Shopkeeper

This was a truly genuine and happy man. His daughter, two images following this one, works with him at a Lucca specialty store.

Tuscan Hills

Portrait of a Lucca Bar Employee

I sat at this bar quite a bit and this guy always had a smile going...

Dirt Road

Tuscany

Tuscan Road

Gombitelli, Italy

Gombitelli, Italy.

Stone House

Gombitelli, Italy.

Portrait of a Lucca Man

Pizzeria Employee. Lucca, Italy.

Volterra, Italy

Portrait of a Barista

MonteCarlo, Italy.
 

Tuscan Trees

Portrait of a Barista

MonteCarlo, Italy. When this gentleman heard it was my birthday he sent me off with a bottle of proseco.

Tuscan Forest

Portrait of a Lucca Woman

Monica. A wonderfully pleasant and genuine person. I ended up giving her my bottle of prosecco.

Bikes

Lucca, Italy. Lucca is a walled city and is really a city of bikes.

Portrait of a Lucca Man

Umbrella Salesman. Lucca, Italy.

A Tuscan Road

Colosseum

Rome, Italy.

Columns

St Marks. Vatican.

Chairs

These chairs were getting set up in front of St Marks for the Wednesday Mass with the Pope.

Columns

St Marks. Vatican.

Hallway

Vatican Museum.

Two Sisters

St Marks.

Portrait of a Street Musician

Rome, Italy. This man had a giant contagious smile. He was really good too.

Hands

Portrait of a Street Musician II

Rome, Italy.

Rome Street

This was the street my apartment was located on.

Stone Still

Statue. Vatican Museum.

Tiber River

Rome.

Sisters

St Marks. Vatican.

Specialty Store

Rome

Tiber River

Rome

Portrait of a Fisherman

Tiber River. Rome.

The Pantheon

Rome.

The Pantheon

Rome.

Rome Skyline

Taken from the Spanish Steps.
 

Colesseum

Rome.

Colesseum

Rome.

Bookstore

Rome.
 

Colesseum

Rome.

Rome Rooftops

Balncing Act

Charlie Price finds his own parkour course.

Venice

Italy

Venice

View over the Grand Canal looking at St Maria of Salute Basilica.

Venice Bar

This was my favorite bar in Venice. It's called, MagnaBeviTasi. Their genuine friendliness and great espresso/food was always on display.

Portrait of Bar Owners

Mother, son and employee unrelated. Venice.

Bar Food

St Marks Square

Venice.

Portrait of a Young Russian Woman & Mask

St Marks Square. Venice.
 

Grand Canal

Venice.

Portrait of a Gondolier

Venice.

Burano Canal

Burano, pictured, is a small island about 45 minutes by boat from Venice. It screams color, but sometimes when you strip the color away it reveals something else.

Fish Salesman

Venice.

Da Romano

Burano restaurant.

Portrait of Da Romano Owner

She is the 4th generation owner of Da Romano on the small island of Burano.

Portrait of Da Romano Waiter

Portrait of Da Romano Chef

Portrait of a Burano Woman

This woman is 92 years old and speaks with a low and calming voice.

Mime

Venice.

Portrait of a Grandfather

Burano, Italy

Portrait of a Butcher

Venice.

Dead End

A Venice street.

Venice Bar

Gelato & Eager Eyes. Venice.

Even in the winter, you can find plenty of gelato in Venice.

Venice

Grand Canal

Venice.

St Marks Square

Venice.

St Marks

Holiday lights. Venice.

Ferry

Venice.

Venice Canal

Crooked Bell Tower

Many of the bell towers in Venice lean.

A Venice Street.

One of the great things about Venice is the absence of cars and motorcycles.

Venice Canal & Reflection

Gondola Bow

The six "tips" on the bow represent each of the six sestiere (sectors) in Venice.

St Marks Bell Tower

St Marks Square

Street Musicians

Ponte Vecchio. Florence.

Florence Rooftops

Florence Bell Tower Steps

Belltower Stranger

Florence.

A Florence View

Duomo

Florence.

Arno River & Reflection

Florence.

Clock Tower Light

Below is a three image pano of St. Marks Square. Crowds disappear at night and the giant square takes on an entirely different feel.

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St Marks. Venice, Italy.