Discover the beautiful views from Massa Marittima, a wonderful Tuscan hill town. Climbing the Torre del Candeliere is worth it!
After last week’s Travel Tuesday post with a bit of a puzzler, I promise that this one is rather straightforward! It’s a change from the low countries, which are mostly flat, to a much hillier environment. This image is from our 2017 vacation in Italy, which featured Ostia Antica, Roma and a number of Tuscan hill towns.
Here’s an image of one of these towns…
Massa Marittima Rooftops
It was a bit of a climb to get to this view, but it was so worth it! In the town of Massa Marittima, we climbed up the hill to reach the Torre del Candeliere. This tower was open to the public and worth scaling to get spectacular views of the town and surrounding land.
Also, when you visit this lovely Tuscan hill town, please go to Il Gatto e la Volpe for lunch (or dinner). My wife and I had a delectable lunch there and, as a special treat, were offered a not on the menu dessert made by the owner’s mother.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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