As a photographer, I’m fortunate to see some of the world’s most beautiful places. I’ve had the great fortune to photograph remarkable natural scenery as well as remarkable man-made structures, brilliant testimonies to the human urge to create.
August 2018, additional exposures for highlights, focal length 24 mm, aperture f/11, shutter speed 88 seconds, ISO 31, ND 5-stop filter, tripod.
The downside to being a photographer, however, is that I don’t often get to explore these locations as ordinary travelers would. I don’t have the luxury of time and my focus on getting the photographs means that I can’t simply admire the beauty of a place; I have to look at it with a technical eye in order to make the photograph work.
But very occasionally, I take a break and travel the way that everyone else does — purely or relaxation and time to spend with my family. After spending several weeks traveling through the United Kingdom, I arranged for a holiday in Italy with my family. We began our holiday at Lake Garda, one of the most scenic of Italy’s lakes. Ringed by picturesque towns and villages and lush countryside, Lake Garda is one of the most popular destinations in Italy.
We chose Malcesine, a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, for our holiday. Even though the purpose of the trip was primarily to rest and enjoy time away from work, I confess that part of my reason for choosing Malcesine was its beauty. I’d seen enough photos of the town to know it’s one of the most picturesque towns along the coast and I wanted to work in a few photographs on what was officially a family holiday.
Malcesine did not disappoint. Located at the narrow end of the lake with mountains making a dramatic backdrop, the town was made to be photographed. During the day, I enjoyed time with my family, but in the early evening, when the crowds of tourists began to diminish, I found a spot along the shore and set up my tripod. It’s one of my favorite times of day to make photographs, especially when the image includes water — I think the reflection of light on the water’s surface is enchanting and Malcesine was no exception. The town is beautiful in the daytime, but in early evening light it was stunning.
The work of a photographer never stops. Even on holiday, we are always looking for another beautiful image, and Lake Garda has them in abundance.
