Express Yourself!!!

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Today I am sharing with you some of my personal favorites from the trip.  When I am out on a visit like this I am thinking keepsake snapshots to remind me of the journey, Blog shots...what I think would cool on the Blog...shots I could sell for stock...and, of course, finding a real photograph.  In the little classes I teach a lot of it is about teaching people to go beyond a "snapshot"...finding your creative eyes.  So these above were some that when I saw the scene I wanted to capture it.

I love street scenes.  I think they show you more about the culture in the area than your typical "tourist" shot or the postcard type shots.  The photo of the paintings above was actually posters laid all down a side walk. 

Florence was by far my favorite city in that it just screams ART...CULTURE...RENAISSANCE...I loved it.  I liked the way it was still Italian but the clothing styles were so modern, ritzy and sharp.  I loved the flash in one of the most historically important cities in the world.  Tradition meets Modern.  I actually can't wait to go back and explore the museums and things further. 

Anyway, here are some more of my favorite street scene photos:

If you could see the shot closer, the above version and this one, this guy's cig hangs right off his lip.  It was so what I personally tie as a style stereotype to Europeans that I loved these pictures.  We just don't have the guys with those smooth accents talking with the cig gracefully hanging from the edge of the lips.   Every one uses there hands more here or they hang it as they work, with the squinty eyes here perhaps, but not with the same aloofness or air of naturalness.

I don't want to burn you out on my photography today.  In another note my blog buddy Jade is having a birthday today.  And one of our oldest and dearest friends Edd celebrates his tomorrow.  So Happy Birthday guys.

I got so caught up this morning in music cards and then birthdays and age and...to make a long story short I was thinking of Caleb being eleven now and how he would remember those years.  So  I googled the hits of 1977.  I think I had 20 percent of the top 100 on 45s.   I still have some of my favorite old 45s put away and some albums.  Surely I can't be the only one?   The top song was Rod Stewart "Tonight's the Night."  I had about all Rod's stuff back then.  The 2nd was a guy I loved.  I put his You Tube video down below.  Not for his 1977 hit but for my favorite one of his and one that still sends me into some bizarre snake like dance moves.  You can see that below if you like.

But I noticed that the number 4 song of the year.  Well, it makes my best friend Shishy cry.  So I had to go play it and...and I cried.  When the notes hit the high part you just can't help but FEEL the love...feel the passion.   I didn't listen to it back then nor even see "A Star is Born" until much later but now it is a pure favorite.

Shishy I think we should take it with us to watch Friday night at the lake with Sue and Joni?  Wouldn't that be fun? 

She and I used to get together regularly to watch it and well, cry.  I am thinking that once at her house we made Amy watch it and she couldn't believe how sad it was.  Maybe.  For some reason I just remember a bunch of girls watching it in Sharon's downstairs TV room.

So I am sending you off with some music for your Friday.  Have a great weekend.  Tomorrow I am Super Auntie dashing off with 4 of the gang to see Madagascar 2.  Then Ben, my friend Ben as Martin calls him will be spending the night.

I am also posting shots of Michelle and I at the Pontevicio to close up this Friday Fry.

Shishy I hope you have sound at work...get your tissues.   

Andy Gibb "Shadow Dancing" Promo Video - The funniest bloopers are right here

Comments

[JoeInVegas]

My goodness, those sure are two lovely ladies down at the bottom. Take your time pulling the pictures together, it makes the memories last longer.

[Jade]

You've had me smiling all morning with your tunes. Memories... WOW...
Andy Gibb, probably one of the few blonds I thought was hot-- too bad he's no more, sad really. And I have the music from A Star is Born on CD, Album too. Long time favs both KK and BS.

Thanks for the bday wishes! Happy Weekend to you...

[Sage]

Love your pictures... I was trying to think of 1977 (I was in college and got married for the first time!) Wasn't that about the time disco began to ruin music and drove me to the FM stations that played Steeley Dan?

[Leslie Smyers]

Oh look at you! Fabulous! :)

[Melody]

Your photos are magnificent Deana. Like you I love street scene photos. Some of my most favourite photos I took in Europe were street scenes too... Maybe one day we could hook up in Florence because that is on my list of Cities to visit (especially since once of my Grandmother's name was Florence.)

[dena]

You have some fabulous photos from your trip. I've really enjoyed seeing the trip through your eyes.

My best friend in high school LOVED A Star is Born. She would play that album over and over and cry. We saw that movie soooo many times. I had forgotten all about it.

[carolyn]

I love that artist guy at top and the way you describe him, lol! I love the ones with color too. All the color. I wish I could take your photography class. *pout* I need to learn more about the eye. Your photos at bottom are just pretty!!

Andy Gibb and 1977 seem so long ago. Poor Andy.

[colleen]

I just looked through the window of your photographer's eye! Rich, colorful, and moody style. I love it.

I just got lost making a story quilt, using first lines of stories and then spent 20 minutes watching Time Life Flower Power TV commercial. Didn't buy the CDs but loved the trip down that memory lane.

[Coll]

I absolutely LOVE Barbara.. This song is definitely one of my all time favourites. A dream of mine has always been to hopefully one day see her perform live. The chances of that happening are getting slim.. but I still hold on to it.

I too am a fan of street photography. Your shots are fabulous!!

[Terri]

Another great bunch of photos. I'm very surprised that you didn't have your portrait done by one of those artists.

[keda]

hey there!

i've finally stopped by and read up the last few months.. what an amazing trip.

i'm glad you had a wonderful time. and i think i may be in love with mr tall dark and handsome in florence ;)

beautiful pictures as always.