Meeting a Paparazzo

My good friend Ciro invited me to a little get together at his new pad just before Christmas, and I had a very good time too. I also met Ciro’s cousin, who happens to be a real life paparazzo.

A 1930s paparazzo

The term ‘paparazzi’ was coined in Italy, as you may well know.  These photographers, for that’s what they are, make a living out of satisfying the world’s seemingly insatiable desire to see pictures of the rich and famous.  Often the rich and famous do not take kindly to being photographed, which is, to an extent, understandable.  Anyway, as to the rights and wrongs regarding paparazzi, this is neither the time nor the place.  It was, however interesting to have met a real life celebrity hunter though.

So what are these oft detested photogs like? … Continue Reading

Di’s Great Photo Giveaway

Photographer Di, whose work I love, is having a little photo themed prize draw.  All you need to do to get 2 of her photographs, enlarged and printed up to 30x45cms in size and mailed to you, where ever you are in the world, is to visit her site and leave a comment.  The prize draw is Sunday 11th January 2009.

Look for the  “A Thank You Gift” post on 6th January here:  A Woman Wondering

And do not forget to check out Dis works on Flickr – there is a link from beneath the men in the boat!  But not in the sea.

Snowy, snowier

Snow in Milan, Italy

Today is the snowiest I’ve seen Milan for a good few years.  Yesterday Milan was covered in snow, today it’s got a snow duvet over it.  The silence is golden, but many will not be overly happy seeing as this is their first day back to work since the beginning of the Christmas break.

Our son returned to school today too, only he won’t be staying all day as some of the teachers have not been able to make it into Milan from the places where they live outside the city.  Trains arriving at Cadorna station are few and far between, or so I was told.  Not sure if the Malpensa Express train for the airport is doing its thing or not, or even, for that matter, if Malpensa airport is open at the moment.

And so you can see just how snowy it is,  here are some snowy images of Milan’s delightful looking snow covered Sempione Park, from yesterday.  It’s even snowier today. … Continue Reading

Urban Love

This is a photo I took this morning. The champagne bottle with rose and glass had been abandoned just around the corner from my house here in Milan.

I could not resist, so I popped back with my camera to immortalise this morning-after scene of urban love, even if the abandoned rose might mean that things may not have gone according to plan!

The image has been tinkered with a little, but you’ll be able to see this when you view the photograph.

See what you think. … Continue Reading

Water Shot

I just like this shot.  I took it ages ago and it’s been lurking in a corner of my overflowing hard drive ever since.  I dug it up while sorting out an image for my annual virtual Christmas cards.

I just love the frozen motion of a never to be repeated capture.  See what you think.

In the movement of the water you can almost see the life which water brings.

Whatever, I love photography! … Continue Reading

Wandering Woman Di Does Genova

Fellow blogger, photographer, and charming Kiwi, Di Mackey spent some time in Genova, Italy recently.  Di does portrait shoots, and her fame has even spread as far as Italy.

This is not a surprise, I’ve been a fan of Di’s photographic endeavours for quite some time.

Well, Di was in Genova this week, and I had hoped to meet up with her, as she wanted to interview little old me for one of her web site projects.  Alas we never met up, even if I did manage to chat to Di on the phone, and found out that she was falling under Italy’s spell!  Indeed, I understand that her hubby actually came to Genova to accompany her back to base in Belgium, apparently because he was a little worried that she might have devided to say!

I understand that she’ll be back to Italy, and one of these fine days we’ll actually meet.  I hope so.

Anyway, here are some of the shots Di took while doing her woman wandering thing, with camera, around Genova and its environs. … Continue Reading