Category Archives: Photographs: Europe

Urban Tree, Night

“Urban Tree, Night” — A tree and a brick wall with posters at night, Madrid.

You may have to look closely to realize it, but this photograph was made at night. (t is often surprising just how much light is found in the nighttime urban environment.) The location is Madrid, not far from the Plaza Mayor, during December, when the streets here are filled with people celebrating the holidays. But this little side street was quiet and nearly deserted.

Night transforms the urban environment. Things that might look mundane during the day can take on a different appearance under the glow of artificial lights. Here several light sources illuminate the brick wall and the sidewalk, and side light highlights the trunk of the urban tree.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Mercerie Bonneterie

Anne Picot, Mercerie Bonneterie, Ribeauvillé.
“Mercerie Bonneterie” — A colorful shop front in Ribeauville, France.

During our late-autumn visit to Riquewihr in Alsace we spent time in several of the small towns in the area. The area is full of them, with many exhibiting links to their medieval heritage. I’m no expert, but it seemed like they have somewhat similar layouts — an entrance of some sort, a main street lined with shops, various numbers of smaller side streets, and surrounding countryside filled with vineyards.

I photographed this shop on our walk through Ribeauvillé. My main interest was in the colors, shapes and textures of the place, from the striking color of the store front to the upstairs windows and the patterned cobblestone street in front. It was only later, after we came home, that I thought to wonder “what is this store?” Translations suggest that it is a “haberdashery,” but that seems to have a different meaning that what I expect in English. The store’s website mentions selling fabric and buttons and similar items.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | BlueSkyEmail

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Die Alte Brücke, Heidelberg

Die Alte Brücke, Heidelberg
“Die Alte Brücke, Heidelberg” — The old bridge across the Neckar River leads to Heidelberg Altstadt.

As I have written previously, Heidelberg is our “home away from home” when we travel to Europe. We almost always end up there for at least a few days, and on our late 2024 visit we used it as our home base for essentially three weeks. Patty’s brother and sister-in-law live there and graciously host us. So by now we are somewhat familiar with parts of the city, including the Altstadt (“old town”) area.

I made this simple little photograph as we walked through hills above the Neckar River on the Philosophenweg footpath. Although the weather felt like winter (at least to us Californians!), there were still colorful autumn leaves on many of the trees. “Die Alte Brücke” (the old bridge) is visible beyond the trees in the center of the frame, and after we descended from the hills we crossed it into the town.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | BlueSkyEmail

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Interior, Sebalduskirche, Nürnberg

Interior, Sebalduskirche, Nürnberg
“Interior, Sebalduskirche, Nürnberg” — Interior of the Sebalduskirche (St. Sebald’s Church) in Nürnberg, Bavaria.

On the last full day of our 2024 autumn visit to Nürnberg we visited some of the older historic sites. A couple of the old churches were on our list — first the St. Lorenz church and then the Sebalduskirche. This photograph is of the interior of the latter. Of the two, this one seemed darker and a bit more foreboding, though the change in the ambient outdoor light may have enhanced this impression.

This is a very old medieval church — construction began 800 years ago. Like so many buildings in this part of Nürnberg, the structure was seriously damaged during WWII. Since then it was restored, and today there is little obvious evidence of the destruction.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | BlueSkyEmail

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.