Tag Archives: arches

Fond Antico

I photographed this bit of Bologna architecture on a “random walk” during our 2023 summer visit. In the morning we headed out with no particular destination in mind, just expecting to wander and see what we might discover. We had a vague plan to start near the two famous towers not far from the central piazza, and then we just kept going until we came to the edge of the old part of the town. We turned around and began to improvise a different route back.

I can’t tell you exactly where I made this photograph, since by this time we were following our instincts rather than a map. We changed directions as we saw interesting things, and our route was anything but direct. I was first intrigued by the arched doorways on this building, but the light also fascinated me. The combination of reddish earth tones and light reflected from other buildings on the narrow street reminds me of walking the narrow canyons of the American Southwest.


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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Bologna Portico

We do a lot of wandering when we travel, including “random walks” in the cities we visit. On this day we simply headed out, picked a direction, and walked until it fell like time to turn around and head back. We stayed in central Bologna, the old part of the city, and an area without much vehicle traffic. On much of the walk we followed these porticos, which travel under extensions of the buildings.

The porticos are a characteristic feature of Bologna, and I understand that they have a very long history. Centuries ago, as the population of the city increased, residents extended the upper floors of buildings over the streets. Eventually the structures needed the support of the columns. Today, what began as a way to produce more living space makes the street more livable, too, since the porticos provide shelter from the weather, in particular the heat of Italian summer.


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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In the Shadows

In the ShadowsIn the Shadows
A couple walks though Donostia-San Sebastian at night.

In the Shadows. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A couple walks though Donostia-San Sebastian at night.

This photograph comes from our visit to Donostia/San Sebastián this past summer. We were there for a few days, coinciding with the Tour de France ending a stage there and then passing through the town a second time the next day. Needless to say, that added a bit of extra excitement. Aside from its other attractions, the town is known for its “pinxtos” cuisine — a sor of Basque tapas tradition — and on this evening we were out to enjoy this wonderful food.

While portions of this area of San Sebastián can be quite lively at night, around the fringes there are some surprisingly quiet corners. This scene was at the edge of a square surrounded by closely-spaced buildings, and I had initially stopped to photograph the arches when this couple strolled through the scene.


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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Arches and Columns

Arches and Columns
Arches and columns in the Mosque-Cathedral, Cordoba.

Arches and Columns. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Arches and columns in the Mosque-Cathedral, Cordoba.

Yes, I am most emphatically not in the Sierra Nevada of California this summer! House-sitters engaged, tickets purchased, reservations made… and we are now three weeks into a grand adventure. (It is also a rather hot adventure, but I’ll save that story for later.) I will not post photographs all the time as we travel, as I’d rather spend the time doing the traveling than post-processing photographs. But from time to time I’ll share a few that I think might interest readers.

We just spent a few days in Cordoba, Spain, where our main goal was to visit the Mosque-Cathedral. I cannot begin to describe the site in a way that does it justice, but it is among the most remarkable places I have ever visited. The deep history it contains, and the blending of influences from Islam and Catholicism, are deeply thought-provoking. It is filled with too many beauties and connections to fully understand it in a short visit — but don’t miss the opportunity if you ever have the chance to go.


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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Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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