Sunday, December 28, 2008

Salty greetings

Without saying too much, nor too little, let me point you to my likely location for the next two weeks. My lenses will probably be affected by some salty moisture on them but don't you worry, I took all the necessary precautions...

Where to today?

Monday, December 22, 2008

Entrance

D300 - 100 mm, 1/320 sec f/14, ISO 200

No, don't be fooled by the rusty appearance

the smudged corners, the weathered colors.

The door is shut but not for real

it's only shy

and has been wounded.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Helloooo...???

D300 - 210 mm, 1/640 sec f/8.0, ISO 200

How is it that I can't write some decent wishes? Well.. for the moment you may think me waving hello from the highest peak of the furthest mountain. You do see me there... don't you?

Getting lost

D300 - 185 mm, 1/40 sec f/8.0, ISO 400

I don't want to play along, not anymore. The mask fell on the ground and left my face bare, for all to see the naked emptiness, impossible to conceal as well as to understand.
Running away is futile, yet the eye looks for solitary places, contrails in the sky, forgotten retreats. And a tired mind is easily lured into imaginary lives.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Irreversibility

D300 - 185 mm, 1/400 sec f/9.0, ISO 400

Holding water with my hands cupped,
feathers ready to leave my wing
I shouldn't want to leave the last one,
the dearest one.

How dare they say it! How inconsistent the thought
of the new dwarfing the old.
Unique remnant of a past life
it shall always be open to uncountable alternatives.

Savoring the sweet taste of the many futures
offered by the knowledge of the past,
I am oblivious of time
slipping by.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Traces

D300 - 100 mm, 1/500 sec f/6.3, ISO 200

Light, immaterial,

without attachments

we're left with the wind.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Far and near: Six

D300 - 300 mm, 1/500 sec f/32, ISO 200

I long to dive into the water after you.
To touch your flame, to feel your life.

Said England unto Pharaoh, "You 've had miracles before,
When Aaron struck your rivers into blood."
Kipling
posted by Anonymous

How can you shine
if you won't let go.

I wish I were a seagull
when the evening comes.
Silently.
A. Chincarini

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Interlude VI


T. Tallis - O salutaris hostia.

forgiveness is the key
acceptance, the door.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Director's cut - A peaceful place

/ a peaceful mind is an unconditioned mind / where wisdom, strength and beauty mingle / where nothing is assumed / and all can be discovered / there wisdom conceives, strength builds, and beauty adorns /

[click here for the original post]

Friday, November 28, 2008

Field flowers

D300 - 195 mm, 1/320 sec f/4.0, ISO 200

It is so difficult to understand

because it is simple, and in plain view.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Far and near

An unsettling image is ready here to unleash your poet inside. Time is tyrant as a deadline is set on Saturday, December 6th.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Unreadable

D300 - 24 mm, 1/100 sec f/4.0, ISO 200

Searching, rambling,
aimless wand'ring
too many things withered prematurely.

Latched doors,
entangled thoughts
scratching self-constructed boxes

and when one says: "look, I understand!"
- for what it's worth -
it's a dead end.

Friday, November 21, 2008

My life as a pebble

D300 - 12 mm, 13 sec f/20, ISO 200

When I think about life, my life (as I can't say I know any more than my one life), I feel the weathering of the waves. Ocean waves can be gentle, soft, soothing.. or fierce, ruthless and terrible. With their very essence they shape worlds and build extraordinary beauty.
They also create fields of pebbles.
These pebbles are all similar and all different to each other. Gray, only when you look them from afar, and color textured when closely examined.
I like to touch them, to walk on them. I relate to them, one gray pebble among many, becoming rounder and rounder as the waves smooth out my asperities. Alone in a multitude, so alike to all the others in my uniqueness. What is this ocean? Time perhaps? The spiritual world?
I am still fascinated by the sea and the shapes and colors surrounding it, I often dream about it, and even more often I photograph it (as you have probably realized).
This long and cumbersome preamble wants to justify the picture above, which shows the very same beach before the rock depicted in the previous post. Photographic alliteration...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Interlude V

Giaches de Wert - Sorgi e Rischiara

Rise and shine, ye thoughts asleep
the day calls thee to a new leap.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Art

D300 - 22 mm, 1/50 sec f/6.3, ISO 1000

Unknown, before our eyes

an archaic awe stirs our fears.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Still

D300 - 300 mm, 1/320 sec f/7.1, ISO 1000

I weep

for what could have been and is not,

for the beauty I don't see,

for the time lost.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Interlude IV


Anonymous - Songs and Dances from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.

The lady Marie galliard: "depairte, depairte"

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Puzzled

D70 - 48 mm, 1/60 sec f/4.8, ISO 1600

Uncertainties live

in shadows of gray.

Monday, November 3, 2008

The snake

D300 - 46 mm, 1/160 sec f/7.1, ISO 200

Sometimes.

Unlikely fears,

forebears reminiscence,

geometric beauty.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Interlude III


H. Purcell - Lost is my quiet forever

... my love is unmoved as her hate.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Far and near: Five

D300 - 105 mm, 1/250 sec f/2.8, ISO 250

A stream of intersecting thoughts
run free
with direction.
A.N. Rodriguez

Whispers line the path, so smooth in a sea of pebbles
It’s silent now, a mystery, but full of answers I don't yet know.
Kristin

I stumbled upon the pathway
of the rest of my life

For only when looking back, do we realize
the shortest path is seldom a straight line.
A. Chincarini

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Sadness

D300 - 12 mm, 1/160 sec f/14, ISO 200

After these many years

my thirst hasn't been quenched.

We fools,

how happy do we all look

when we believe

we've found a piece of the puzzle.

The fluttering of wings,

a drop of water,

all last longer than a man's dream.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Prelude in B [sharp/flat/logged]

These interludes are meant to be used as background music while reading the blog. At the beginning I tried to match music and images but it didn't turn out to be straightforward, mainly due to my limited knowledge and an incipient decline of my memory. In addition I didn't want to add yet-another-artistic collection, or this blog would soon become very boring and dull.
I'd rather have them break the flow, as interludes should. As for comments, I liked what happened on the first post of this series; I'd wish them to be an open ground, that is not necessarily related to the music or picture posted.
The first two posts were a test for the format and the player. After some trials I think I have found the right balance, which will be effective starting from the next post of this collection.

From Italy with love

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Interlude II


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Blind

D300 - 300 mm, 1/400 sec f/11, ISO 200

Not even the leaves' rustle,

not the joyful colors

or the warmth of a sunny day

can turn my mind from you.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Director's cut - Not exactly a spring thought

/ resting alone in a misty sea / the stone is caressed by endless waves / whose existence is but a dream / a play in which my mind / acknowledges its singleness /

[click here for the original post]

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Far and near

New call for inspiration worldwide!
Please find your battleground here, and participation rules here. Deadline is set to Tuesday, October 28th.

Merry thinking...

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The lover

D300 - 24 mm, 30 sec f/18, ISO 200

Accomplished ways and grace and kindness

are eerie nests for my unconfessed thoughts.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Modern temples

D300 - 12 mm, 1/80 sec f/4.0, ISO 640

The recent break down in world economy, and most noticeably in the American financial market leaves us with many questions and an unusual sense of uncertainty. I am not competent to discuss causes and remedies and I won't therefore provide any insight into this crisis.
We know now our golden temples can easily be shattered by winds of greed, carelessness and impunity.
Civilizations aren't going to last thousands of years as they did in the past. Have we learned the lesson? How many of us do we need to push global consciousness to a higher level?

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Sunset

D300 - 300 mm, 1/640 sec f/18, ISO 200

I love the sea

when the color's gold

the air's salty

and the day

is dying.


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Interlude

Friday, October 3, 2008

Far and near: Four

D70 - 24 mm, 1/350 sec f/8.0, ISO 200

Time, eroded
by winds of change.

Cosi` alto e incrollabile,
da qui temo solo la mia solitudine.

Freedom I experienced
as I let the wind take my soul.
A. Chincarini

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

New Jersey

D300 - 12 mm, 10 sec f/13, ISO 320

... and I know one guy who mistook it for New York!
What an idiot...

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Lucky

D70 - 24 mm, 1/125 sec f/16, ISO 200

For living here,

for living

for my senses and mind

I shall never be grateful enough.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Passing by

D300 - 100 mm, 1/25 sec f/16, ISO 640

Shadows through history

looking for a place.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Political

D300 - 300 mm, 1/400 sec f/22, ISO 200

Far and misty I found you once
solemn figure, ditched by men
who took an oath
who ride on fears
who sell more lies to uncertain minds.

I wish you well, my distant friend
the silent hope for better times
the quest for change,
the humble strength
are but your robe and standing ground.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Director's cut - Alchemy

/ earth and heaven / this is what remains of the once free spirit / in its involution after the first creation / after the fall into energy and matter / from the deepest recess of its prison / it is rising again / the path of return / the path of life /

[click here for the original post]

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Coffee

D70 - 62 mm, 1 sec f/2.8, ISO 200

The weather here is more pronouncedly turning to autumn, and I find comfort in usual gestures and rhythms. My morning coffee (+ some milk) is one of those seasonal habits, savored slowly, silently and possibly accompanied by a home made pastry. Among more obvious reactions, smell and taste evoke memories, state of consciousness, perceptions.
While in NYC, I was thinking of all those people swiftly pacing towards their destinations with a mug in their hand, carelessly sipping some overheated liquid, whose many names hardly correspond to a real distinction. That's habit for them too of course and coffee is still a ritual there.
I know "time is money" but a peaceful, relaxed breakfast is priceless.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Far and near

Thanks to your support, there we run towards the next edition. Newcomers will find here how to send their contributions, while "professionals" can swiftly click their pointer on this location...

Deadline for sending your two lines is set to Friday, October 3rd, 2008.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Fire

D70 - 300 mm, 1/200 sec f/10, ISO 800

I need a rest

a pause.

From past mistakes

tangible ghosts,

and a feeble flame

is guiding me along

but I can't say

whether I'm going forward.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Attraction

D300 - 300 mm, 1/400 sec f/11, ISO 200

I'm so different from you

and thus you like me more.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Back from NYC

Dear friends, I am now safely back home. A very special "thank you" to Linda and Kat, whose patience and wit have been duly tested during the last few days.
Does coming from the Big Apple makes me a big worm now? I wonder...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

My mind

D300 - 24 mm, 1/160 sec f/11, ISO 200

Are you happy now,

oh mind,

with my feelings unable to fly

are you satisfied

by the great deception

luring me to think I am you?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Skewed, part II

D300 - 22 mm, 1/100 sec f/5.0, ISO 200

I am apparently not tuned or synced to the world yet, and I start doubting I'll ever be. Why do we always have to look at the half empty glass? Even when it is not true, an evil force makes the dark outweigh the light in our mind.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Where about this time?

So, dear readers, I hope you can endure my irregular peeking into the blogosphere for a little while. Know that in the meantime I will be struggling to find seeds in a big apple...

so long
A.

Director's cut - Symmetry

/ perfection is such when it doesn't exists / because it would be static / longing for symmetry displays the true beauty of it / for realization is not a state /

[click here for the original post]

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Far and near: Three

E4300 - 24 mm, 1/125 sec f/4.9, ISO 100

Footprints, I trace
I walk
But you are no where in sight.
A.N.Rodriguez

"Be verwe, verwe quiet.
I'm hunting wabbits."
Elmer Fudd
(thanks to Linda S. Silbermann)

Only barren remains
of life’s pristine start


Steps in a muffled world
my memories of you.
Andrea Chincarini

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Director's cut - Small

/ would the photo display the same beauty and harmony without that little boat? / so the universe rejoices of our presence / its beauty augmented by each creature / however small /

[click here for the original post]

Thursday, August 28, 2008

No smoking

D300 - 12 mm, 1/80 sec f/4.5, ISO 200

No, I don't smoke, and you are allowed to smoke while reading this blog.
As I endorse no smoking in public places I wonder at the same time how many "do's & don'ts" condition our existence. Is there a way out? An emergency exit perhaps? (stairs would do...)
While pondering questions without answers I've just spotted the door under the no smoking sign. Amazing how much one can learn from a photo...

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

In a hut

D300 - 12 mm, 1/80 sec f/4, ISO 1600

Old, neglected

you are already at the end of all

and you don't realize it.


Monday, August 25, 2008

Director's cut - Un-likelihood


/ the same hand, shot twice / an unlikely posture faking a likely gesture / casting an unusual look on lighting /

[click here for the original post]

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Catwalk

D70 - 270 mm, 1/350 sec f/8.0, ISO 200

How can you live without this latest PRADA creation? Admire the elegance of the white coat, hand decorated with real feathers. It features a matching matte black hood and superb contrasting dark red leggings.
This eco-friendly creation can be proudly worn to any party although its primary destination is the beach. Never without....

Friday, August 22, 2008

Seeing through

D70 - 70 mm, 1/15 sec f/5.6, ISO 1600

How marvelous it feels

the smallest step forward

but how easily

is the subtle art

forgotten.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Far and near

Third edition of this little game. Deadline is set to September 2nd, 2008.
Hoping to stir your precious inspiration, let me point you here for this new winterly photo....

P.S. Newcomers may find out how to participate by clicking on the "Far and near" tag in the collection panel.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Waters

D300 - 24 mm, 1/10 sec f/32, ISO 100

I often dream of an ocean.

Calm and dark are its waters.

I sit on the beach

and sudden wave makes me shake.

Behind the veil

inexplicable unrest.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Ice

D300 - 24 mm, 1/320 sec f/18, ISO 200

Desert plains, towering mountains and icy valleys are a magnet to my soul. Once there I am tested and I know I am not ready. A quiet mind and a steady will are like a compass, on a path where cold and desolation are on the surface and heavenly beauty lies just underneath.
These places forgive neither boldness nor carelessness. There is no goal, no peak to climb, no enterprise to imitate. The only meaningful outcome is understanding and respect.
When fondly remembering the steps once taken with trembling feet, I feel I have moved a little further on a path, whose end I shall never know.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Path, interrupted: part II

D300 - 300 mm, 1/320 sec f/5.6, ISO 1600

It is probably due to ageing the fact that I find myself thinking about "where would I be if...".
Fantasies are a powerful drug, and it is easy to get lost in them. Maybe an adventurous explorer, a photographer, a professional Tango dancer, slender and magnetic?
A common mirror unveils the crude reality, a mirror which never fails to bring me back. Instead of a sinuous dancer it shows me a wooden stick wrapped in bacon... and I don't even eat meat!