Southern Italy -- Spring 2004

In May 2004 we visited two locales in southern Italy, first being the Naples region by way of another fine University of Chicago Alumni College Abroad tour followed by an independent continuation of our stay in Sorrento on the Bay of Naples, and the second a brief visit to Catania, Sicily (necessitated by inflexible airlines' itinerary change policies). Again, as I have for other recent travels, I tried to focus on artistic photography as opposed to touristic, as a result of which I limited the total photos taken to about 430 over two weeks. For the first time, I also deleted substandard photos as I went along. I did take my best equipment this trip, shooting all photos with the Canon 10D, most of them using the Canon 28-70mm f/2.8 "L" zoom lens. Any concern I might have had about becoming a target of thieves proved needless (so far as I could tell -- although I did have a death grip on the camera all the time), and except for some rain in the first couple days our weather was gorgeous.

The photos below sometimes represent a mix of those taken during the tour proper and then additional images from revisiting some of the same places. I've not differentiated between the two sets.

The Grand Staircase entering The Palace of Caserta --

(18th century residence and seat of power of Bourbon King Charles III) — The Grand Staircase entering The Palace of Caserta -- (18th century residence and seat of power of Bourbon King Charles III)

Roman statue of a youth about to begin a footrace,
in the National Archeological Museum in Naples — Roman statue of a youth about to begin a footrace, in the National Archeological Museum in Naples

Photos of statuary are all very well, but how can a
photographer resist capturing three young girls
intent on digitally photographing the frescoed
ceiling of one of the palace's great halls? — Photos of statuary are all very well, but how can a photographer resist capturing three young girls intent on digitally photographing the frescoed ceiling of one of the palace's great halls?

Impressions of the Amalfi Coast --

"Apollo's Hammer" — Impressions of the Amalfi Coast -- "Apollo's Hammer"

"Waiting for Summer" --

Boats awaiting arrival of tourists in Positano — "Waiting for Summer" -- Boats awaiting arrival of tourists in Positano

Impressions of the Amalfi Coast --

"Climbing the Cliff" --

Homes and a church in Amalfi — Impressions of the Amalfi Coast -- "Climbing the Cliff" -- Homes and a church in Amalfi

Positano --

(At lower right you see a portion of Positano's private beach,
which in addition to crashing surf provides sights of typical
European beach "attire" [i.e., nudity].) — Positano -- (At lower right you see a portion of Positano's private beach, which in addition to crashing surf provides sights of typical European beach "attire" [i.e., nudity].)

Impressions of the Amalfi Coast --
"Cubism in Positano" — Impressions of the Amalfi Coast -- "Cubism in Positano"

Statue of Apollo in his Temple,
Mt. Vesuvius in the background — Statue of Apollo in his Temple, Mt. Vesuvius in the background

The baths in Pompeii - photographed solely
by available light — The baths in Pompeii - photographed solely by available light

Entrance to a brothel cubicle, with fresco above
illustrating the service provided within. Two points of note:
first, the bed is stone, no doubt covered then with a mattress
of straw or similar material; second, the "john" is quite dark-skinned,
su — Entrance to a brothel cubicle, with fresco above illustrating the service provided within. Two points of note: first, the bed is stone, no doubt covered then with a mattress of straw or similar material; second, the "john" is quite dark-skinned, suggesting that the prostitutes of Pompeii (which was a major commercial center) actively attracted customers from north Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.

Fresco of Venus in the Casa della Venere in Conchiglia -- Pompeii --

Note the shells; since this was only excavated in 1960,
it was unknown to Botticelli when he painted
"Birth of Venus" — Fresco of Venus in the Casa della Venere in Conchiglia -- Pompeii -- Note the shells; since this was only excavated in 1960, it was unknown to Botticelli when he painted "Birth of Venus"

Naples -- Motorcycles are ubiquitous transportation
for young men and women alike — Naples -- Motorcycles are ubiquitous transportation for young men and women alike

Photographing in the Galleria
(near the Teatro San Carlo) (Naples) — Photographing in the Galleria (near the Teatro San Carlo) (Naples)

The World's Next Two Supermodels --

(In Catania, Sicily) — The World's Next Two Supermodels -- (In Catania, Sicily)

Southern Italy -- Spring 2004

Northern Italy -- Fall 2004

Ireland - County Clare - 2003

Work Blog Contact