Monday, March 21, 2011

Back Alley Bliss


Oh, scooters. How I love thee. Wandering the back alleys of an old city, finding a vintage scooter amongst the texture and filtered light has become heaven to me. Do I see scooters because I love to photograph them, or do I love to photograph scooters because I see them? That is the question. Much simpler than Hamlet's "to be or not to be" and, to be honest, I really don't require an answer. I'm happy to both see them and photograph them, regardless of the priority order.

This lovely find was in Ortygia, the old quarter of the town of Siracusa in Sicily. We got lost in the back alleys trying to find the duomo, and it was scooter heaven for me this day. I'll have several to share over time.

I've learned that is my favorite thing to do when traveling... wander. Just wander the back streets and alleys, away from the shopping zones. I don't need long, just an hour or two. I can guarantee I'll find interesting things to photograph when we just wander.

How about you? Where are you guaranteed to find creative inspiration?

21 comments:

  1. wandering does it for me too.

    That scooter picture reminds me of a vespa club here in SE London. Up on Blackheath about 50 of the cutest little scooters park next to the tea house before they go off cruising.

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  2. "To scooter or not to scooter" then :-) I love them too - they're so very cool and Italian. I'm currently learning to ride a bike (don't laugh, I never had one as a kid!) and would love to think I could go on to riding a scooter. I haven't picked up my camera since I got back from my holidays and really must. I agree about wandering and I find it easier to be on my own which is why I didn't come back from Wales with a whole lot of photos - husband kept tutting when I stopped!

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  3. I love your scooter photos. To me they scream Italy. I hope to photograph a few myself this summer in Tuscany.

    For me I'm starting to realise I feel most creative out in the sunshine especially photographing nature. I took the first photo I have felt proud of in a long time yesterday of some daffodils in the sunshine. It's got my creative juices flowing again. Another sunny day here and I'm heading out for the afternoon with my camera. I'm hoping to come back with a few more I'm proud of.

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  4. For me, it is at the ranch. I would love to spend a few weeks documenting the life on a working ranch. The animals always steal my heart.

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  5. I am in LOVE with this photo, such an amazing capture!

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  6. great shot! It definately says Italy! looks great in B&W!

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  7. Very cool shot! Love the angle you took it from.

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  8. getting lost down side streets whilst travelling is all part of the experience, love this shot.

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  9. I'm with you - just wandering is my favorite way to travel. No schedule to keep, a day just dedicated to seeing a place - and not just the tourist areas, but the places where people actually live.

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  10. I find it rushing around the house right at 10:00 screaming, "Crap! I forgot to take a picture today!". Then, it ends up being legos or a coffee mug or something like that :)

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  11. Since taking up blogging I find I look around me much more carefully for photographic inspiration.

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  12. OH my goodness! I didn't even have to read the post first...I knew it was ITALY!!!! My daughter is there right now! Love your capture of the scooter and the DOF!

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  13. I just love it! Simple as that...love it!

    Erika B

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  14. Wandering is one of my favorite sources of inspiration as well. Your scooter photos always make me feel a bit nostalgic and homesick. This one is so beautifully captured. Great work, Kat.

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  15. Beautiful shot...you just never know what you will stumble across when you wander :)

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  16. as in life, the less expectations, leaves room to see what you would love to see. great photo Miss K!

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  17. Kat, great shot and I love B&W! Inspiration, it seems to be everywhere - in the woods, in the city - I guess I find something interesting wherever I am!

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  18. Love this scooter photo! You are so right.. wandering is the best part of travelling or even really just around the neighborhood. Its always so fun to see what you can find - like a treasure hunt :)

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  19. Love this! I hope they have scooters back in the States!
    x

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  20. wow that is a wonderful shot! we have an area in MO that is full of scooters but not as cute of scenes as this one is in!

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