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i have tons of pics from my euro trip but here are a few teasers from various places in Italy...
click on the pic to get a description plus bigger resolution if you have a flickr account...
stay tuned for lots more from Italy, plus Spain, France, and Monaco...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28128780/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28128780_32f07615fb.jpg" width="500" height="328" alt="Pisa, Italy" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28672518/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28672518_63c222850b.jpg" width="500" height="349" alt="San Gimignano" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28644846/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/28644846_799a2fea8b.jpg" width="500" height="301" alt="Colosseum" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28592173/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/28592173_72a0c03368.jpg" width="306" height="500" alt="streets of Rome" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28592172/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28592172_e466d7f634.jpg" width="500" height="345" alt="spare a euro?" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28517397/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28517397_cb3e90488f.jpg" width="500" height="385" alt="the Vatican" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28509997/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/28509997_010e6cd382.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="lost in Rome" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28378932/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/28378932_806f0fcea2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Streets of La Spezia" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28320281/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28320281_d3e24e3a84.jpg" width="500" height="346" alt="Italian drycleaning" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28224557/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/28224557_bdcee81c88.jpg" width="500" height="327" alt="Rain over Tuscany" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28217166/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/28217166_9cb7cebea0.jpg" width="500" height="377" alt="Florence, Italy" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28196142/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28196142_bb2e9d7b86.jpg" width="500" height="346" alt="Tuscan hospitality" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28184205/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos22.flickr.com/28184205_d298293252.jpg" width="500" height="381" alt="Scalinata di Spagna" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28131731/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/28131731_6141e046d3.jpg" width="500" height="353" alt="Rome Metro" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28689945/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/28689945_c561f3a8aa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Burberry, Via Condotti" /></a>

Dee

You never disappoint. Awesome awesome stuff

#1 - love the whimsical take on this classic tourist location
#2 - so much to love here - the curves & lines, the placement of the bike, the contrast with the splash of red against the monochrome, leading lines (I'l stop now I'm dribbling )
#3 - nice B &W - like the angle you've chosen
#4 - Awseome, inspired - I just keep looking and looking at this
#5 - powerful image enhanced by B & W _ maybe could do with a bit more high contrast to make it more stark
#6 - Beautiful gradation of colours, strong lines and an interesting off centre subject really draw the viewer in to this one and the exposure is superb (no blown highlights or dark bits!)
#7 - a good "story" pic. The blank window works well
#8 - the only one I don't get excited about. I think there's not enough action in the shot to justify the blur
#9 and #10 - both these have a great sense of place
#11 - The symmetries in this are fantastic - I had to look closely to make sure it wasn't reflected around the vertical axis somehow in addition to the horizontal. And the clouds round this out really really well
#12 - This is my second least favourite - I'd actually have liked to see the face of the accordian player
#13 - Wow - really evocative and the treatement makes what is a strong image even stronger
#14 - This image works for me because the station is so empty yet there's the whoosh of that train shooting through. A great example of composition
#15 - in the company of the others this falls by the wayside, but on its own would probably be a much better shot.

I'll just go off qietly into a corner and weep at my inadequacies . Thanks for sharing these.

Edit: Just in case it's not obvious - #4 is my favourite of this stellar bunch!

Dee,

Excellent work.

I particularly love #s 2, 4 and 9, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of your trip!

I agree with Peter here Dee, your stuff is astounding, how do you get the ideas for all these? I suppose it's inbuilt. In any case, I feel like throwing in the towel and taking up knitting or crochet.

I wanted to comment on several but they're all good, especially (as an accordionist and pianist) the accordion shot. I could very happily have that one enlarged and hanging above my piano!

Congrats and please post some more.

Max

ozimax wrote:I wanted to comment on several but they're all good, especially (as an accordionist and pianist) the accordion shot.

What's the definition of a gentleman?

Someone who knows how to play accordian.

But doesn't.

Hi Dee

I am really impressed

number 4 is exquisite! The 2nd, 3rd and 4th last pictures are just brilliant
For a moment i thought i was looking through set of images from national geographic

Your framing and compositional skills are evident throughout all your pictures.

The colours are vibrant and your use of Depth of field and subject choice is fantastic, you have the eye!

I think these should be published.

To take photos like these you must have been inspired, feel different after your trip?

I love all your pictures, not only these but others you have posted in the past.

You have a great tallent for capturing things most people would walk straight by.

Keep it up.

Jamie

Yep, I can only echo what others have said. Sublime images, absolutely magnificent.

Great images, and a lot of inspiration for doing travel photography that is not cliche or postcard style!

Link.

gstark wrote:

ozimax wrote:I wanted to comment on several but they're all good, especially (as an accordionist and pianist) the accordion shot.

What's the definition of a gentleman?

Someone who knows how to play accordian.

But doesn't.

Touche !

Reminds me of an old friend. A lady came up to him and asked, "Have I showed you the new photos of my grandchildren?"

"No Ma'am, and I thank you kindly..."

Same fellow was onboard a plane. The trolley dolley came up to him and asked, "Sir, would you like a cocktail?", to which he replied, "Ma'am, I'm so hungry, just bring me the whole rooster!"

Max

Really really very good. Very impressed actually.

I'll be in Italy in about a month for my first time, but looks like I'm going to have to be on top of my game amongst this kind of quality!

Heath Bennett wrote:I'll be in Italy in about a month for my first time,

Are you planning to have the D2x with you on your trip?

Flipfrog: I am sooooo impressed (and jealous ) these are beautiful images. I keep going back to number 1 though - I think it's my favorite, something about the wooden dolls being in focus, with the famous monument as "background" item.

Ozimax: I strongly advise against taking up crochet..... it's @#$%!!! hard.

kinetic wrote:Ozimax: I strongly advise against taking up crochet..... it's @#$%!!! hard.

Yeah, like synchronised swimming, donut nose catching, taking good photos...

WoW.

The others have said it all and I fully agree.

Amazing.

echo all the above - not one bad one - just some arwe better (to my eye) than others - you really do have 'the eye'

5 weeks rom now i'll be in Tuscanny - looking at these images i think i'll leave the D70 at home -just dunno i could compete with this kind of quality - and this is only a taster of the shots from your travels......

Birddog114 wrote:

Heath Bennett wrote:I'll be in Italy in about a month for my first time,

Are you planning to have the D2x with you on your trip?

If all goes well, yes...

Will accept dares, hard labour, be a paid scapegoat, bribe, blackmail etc for cash...

On a serious note, can't wait to get the tax back to see how it could work.

How would I get insurance overseas for something worth $8k? Would cost heaps.

I am wrecking all these posts by bringing the D2x into things!!! Sorry PPL.

Love those shots,

I feel like booking a trip tomorrow! Very well done, keep them coming.

Cheers,

Radar

Very nice gallery you have there Dee. Nice change from the mundane touristy postcard shots.

Just wondering what lenses you take with you on your travels?

Great shots there Dee. Sure looks like you are enjoying your trip.

Dee - what everyone before me has said plus the pic of the beggar is absolutely superb - my only comment would be to straighten that building in the first shot

sirhc55 wrote:Dee - what everyone before me has said plus the pic of the beggar is absolutely superb - my only comment would be to straighten that building in the first shot

Hahahahah! Dee - amazing, superb images...well done, I too would like to know what lenses you use primarily when shooting fantastic shots like we are fortunate witnesses to.

hey guys!

first of all, thank you for your critiques and comments...
to answer the lens question, all of these shot are with the KIT LENS

and for your peace of mind, i DID give some coins to any beggars i shot on the street (my wife wouldnt let me walk away without doing so)..

stay tuned for lots more from Euro

Wow! Did you get a very heavy EXTRA special kit lens with nice numbers on it and maybe VR? Nah..just kidding...GREAT shots, goes to show that in the right hands this camera and kit lens produce some FANTASTIC quality images!! Well done again...

I look forward to more of your images!

Hi Dee,

Great photos! Almost all of them!

I'm with Peter on number 8 - don't really like it but in different way - I'm trying to look above frame to see where head is . And last one needs some barrel correction IMHO.

Interesting shots, Dee. All look to be well done, IMO. Looking forward to seeing more.

I'm with Peter on number 8 - don't really like it but in different way - I'm trying to look above frame to see where head is

if you guys are nice, i will post some other shots of this accordian player who serenaded us before dinner
personal preference of course, but my favourite crop was without his head...puts more emphasis on the hands that make the music

flipfrog wrote:personal preference of course, but my favourite crop was without his head...puts more emphasis on the hands that make the music

I was not talking about accordeonist I actually like this photo. I was talking about lady in pink dress and white snikers - #8 from the top.

Really great shots Dee, thanks for sharing. Great that they were all taken with the kit lens too - just shows how useful it is in so many situations, and quality is first class.

Chris beat me to the punch about the first one.

Dee,

Such exemplary work. It is such a reward to see work as consistently powerful as yours. It has taken me a while to post because I have been gambolling through your FLICKR site.

Deesign is an apt monicker - you most definitely have a keen eye for design and a sense not only of balance but also of confrontation and dynamic.

Your FLIKR page is now in my favourites list and I shall be visiting frequently.

An observation for Admin:

Work such as Dee's is an incredibly valuable source of inspiration and enlightenment for people hoping to hone their skills. Wendell's work is also of a high order and doubtless there are others I have not found yet. Why not establish some sort of 'Best-Of-The-Best' gallery which would be a reference for both new-comers and regulars alike?

Just a thought.

Cheers, and thanks for the thrilling viewing Dee,

Good suggestion Sheetshooter, as always

Sheetshooter wrote:An observation for Admin:

Work such as Dee's is an incredibly valuable source of inspiration and enlightenment for people hoping to hone their skills. Wendell's work is also of a high order and doubtless there are others I have not found yet. Why not establish some sort of 'Best-Of-The-Best' gallery which would be a reference for both new-comers and regulars alike?

As a beginner, seeing the great work that gets done by a number of the members is inspiring and also a great learning tool. I do like searching in the various forums and finding the gems, but it certainly would be great if they were "grouped" in the tutorial section or beginners section or both.

Seeing that Dee did all this with the kit lens certainly shows that it's the person behind the view finder that makes the difference, not the lens. Now I can put my lens lust on the back burner until I can get better with the gear I have

As to not try to suggest something and expecting someone else to do it, I'm willing to help with this, just point me in the right direction

Cheers,

Radar

I am working on some framing and composition tutorials, it would be good to have a seperate section under tips and tricks.

but as sheetshooter said in a previous thread "Avoid Formulaic Technique"

there needs to be a disclaimer saying, only use if you think it won't hinder your own creative vision

There is alot of technical speak on this forum, i think there should be more discussion about the artisitic application of photography.

Wendell,

There is not so much a lot of TECH-SPEAK as a lot if KIT-CHAT which is a bit of a dfferent thing.

Photography itself is a hybrid of science and vision and there certainly needs to be consideration and discussion of both aspects. Running parallel to this is a passion for acquisition and possession - and, frankly, I generally find that this often only obstructs the path to realising a creative optimum.

The works offered by Dee and yourself (and others I'm unaware of as yet) point the way to thinking outside the square (well, perhaps for all those NOT using a Hasselblad we should say thinking outside the rectangle). With these wonderful works scattered throughtout the discussion boards it is difficult to retrieve for research at a later time.

Anyway, perhaps we are getting off the track a bit and detracting from the strength of Dee's work.

Cheers,

Sheetshooter,

Sheetshooter wrote:An observation for Admin:

Work such as Dee's is an incredibly valuable source of inspiration and enlightenment for people hoping to hone their skills. Wendell's work is also of a high order and doubtless there are others I have not found yet. Why not establish some sort of 'Best-Of-The-Best' gallery which would be a reference for both new-comers and regulars alike?

An interesting suggestion, but perhaps fraught with danger to fragile egos?

I'm concerned about the egos of those who, perhaps, may not be selected, but who think their work is absolutely "the best".

The selection of these galleries will always be a subjective thing (if the admin team will be making the selections) and thus open to interpretation of the images presented. Just look at the discussion on this week's PotW for an example of what I mean.

Can you please start a separate discussion thread on this exact topic so that we can identify, isolate and maybe even address potential issues such as those, and, I'm sure, a lot more that I've not even begun to think of yet.

I do also have a couple of thoughts pertaining to this that may be best placed in that thread ...

Thanx.

Surely a best of the best is easy. Make it a gallery of the POTW selections

Gary,

As you were posting here I was posting just such an item in the General forum.

Your images always ooze talent and creativity. These are no exception!

Beautiful work Dee!
I love the accordian player ....the composition was bold deliberate and it works for me. Like the others I can't wait to enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Sheetshooter wrote:Gary,

As you were posting here I was posting just such an item in the General forum.

Great minds, and all that, eh?

Thanx for starting that thread off.

Surely a best of the best is easy. Make it a gallery of the POTW selections

good idea !

hi Flipfrog...

These shots are awesome. Thanks for sharing them - they are inspiring.

Fiona

vatican museum...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/29528877/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/29528877_8d513efc34.jpg" width="500" height="338" alt="Musei Vaticani" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/29117013/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos23.flickr.com/29117013_0da1504016.jpg" width="366" height="500" alt="The Holy See" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/29121808/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/29121808_1e65eb82dd.jpg" width="500" height="371" alt="St. Peter's Basillica" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deesignphotography/28856447/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos21.flickr.com/28856447_172779a68d.jpg" width="500" height="386" alt="Vatikanisches Museum" /></a>

Ohhhh

more beautiful images....

well done

Cheers
Gecko