Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Venice in Black & White & November



At the mere mention that high winds are expected later today, the power is starting to go in & out. I'm serious--the wind has not kicked up yet. So here are three photographs by an old friend from Strasbourg days. He took these on a trip to Venice in a November. The little boy's name is unknown. Trying to think how old he'd be now is making my head hurt. Ahem. The photographer & friend (it's not me but I've not asked her permission yet so I'm not showing a third that focuses on her) are very sporting about the pigeons. Bernd claims that he remained unscathed during this shoot. I called him a liar (on Facebook!) & as usual he took massive teasing with equanimity.

Bernd was prescient about taking photos in Venice (& France, Germany, Switzerland) that many of us would value so much later. I hereby apologize publicly for all the times I rolled my eyes when asked to stand still...for a second. Or two. I am now painfully aware of how obnoxious I look when exasperated. See here for explanation...or I'll just tell you. I unwittingly took a video of myself trying to figure out the web camera. It's excruciating but I saved it as a reminder. (Here's a link to a digital library of World War II photographs, including Venice.)

As black & white as these are, I think they are very warm. I like that they are not super-sharp. They are much, much larger in their original print. (Venice in November by Bernd Krause)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are so right about us treasuring this pictures today. I remember these shots from back then. Bernd certainly had a way with the camera - whether he was holding it or posing...

Giulia said...

Hi, T. I never saw these until recently. So many great shots & I am nowhere to be found. That's because I was on some personal mission or another. Oh, & the eye rolling. xo

Emily said...

How lovely to see this post and what wonderful photos. Such laughter and sense of enjoyment, although frankly, I would have been terrified with all those birds (too much Hitchcock, I guess). Thanks for sharing them with us.

Katharine said...

I love these and agree with Vanessa about the joy and laughter. And also about the birds. Eek.

simon said...

yes these are great shot for sure!! :o)

It does have an almost "Hitchcock" feel to it...

Giulia said...

Vanessa--I know! There's no way I would have let this happen. I would have been running around quoting my grandmother: Pigeons will give you TB! That's a whole 'nother story:)

Kath--I know. I did feed them but as I say to Vanessa, on me? No way. But that's Bernd.

Simon-Hitchcock - oh yeah. I was babysitting once & had a "oh no, it is happening." Birds were roosting very late & must have been having a party out back of the apt. where I was sitting. I ran all the way home when relieved of duty. Plus, the "pigeons will give you TB!" reverb in my brain--always. Thanks, Gram.

carina said...

Oh, I love Venice:-)