Tag Archives: eu

Blue Vespa

Blue Vespa
Blue Vespa in front of. a blue wall, Porto, Portugal.

Blue Vespa. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Blue Vespa in front of. a blue wall, Porto, Portugal.

These scooters are, of course, ubiquitous in Europe, especially in the warmer climates. On these extremely narrow streets, which lack much of any parking facilities, they are extremely practical. But to American visitors, at least up to a point, they also seem fun and romantic. (My guess is that the fun/romantic part impresses their owners less.)

All of this is by way of saying that I could not resist photographing a few of them, particularly when they came in striking colors or related to their surroundings in interesting ways. This blue Vespa was parked against a very weathered blue wall in the sunshine, with just a bit of Porto graffiti in the background.


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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Arno River, Evening

Arno River, Evening
The banks of the Arno River and the tower of the Basilica of Santa Croce in the evening, Florence.

Arno River, Evening. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

The banks of the Arno River and the tower of the Basilica of Santa Croce in the evening, Florence.

I made this photograph as we were walking back into town after joining the throngs for sunset at the Piazzale Michelango above Florence. We weren’t sure what to expect at that spot, but what a surprise! There were thousands of people up there, staying along the ramparts, sitting on the stairways, drinking wine, listening to music… all because of the view toward the western horizon over Florence and the Arno River. You might think, “tourist event,” but if you visit Florence you should go!

After sunset the party diminished (a little bit) and we headed back down the hill toward Florence and dinner. As we crossed one of the bridges over the river, Patty pointed out the reflections of the lights in the water, and this photograph is the result.


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.

Alcove and Wall

Alcove and Wall
An alcove, a weathered wall, a door, and a sidewalk — Florence, Italy.

Alcove and Wall. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

An alcove, a weathered wall, a door, and a sidewalk — Florence, Italy.

This photograph comes from Florence, Italy. Anyone who has been there, especially in the busy tourist season, knows that the place is incredibly busy and crowded, at least during the hours when visitors are out and about. We escaped the most intense crowds on this morning by heading “the other way,” into a neighborhood that lacked the usual tourist attractions.

Like almost any photographer visiting this part of the world, I cannot resist the colors and the old, weathered surfaces and shapes of the buildings. Back home, old buildings just took… old. But here the Latino of time and wear somehow seems more attractive.


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.

Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis

Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis
Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis, Le Marais, Paris

Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.

Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis, Le Marais, Paris.

This church figured briefly in the text accompanying a recently-posted photograph of a historic Paris fire alarm station. The story is that I wasn’t sure what building this is. It caught my attention, for obvious reasons, while walking in Le Marais, so I made a photograph — but I neglected to note the precise location or even the identity of the place. (I often prefer to not do too much research about a location in order to retain some of the fun of “discovering” it.) I finally figured it out by spotting its reflection in the fire alarm photo!

The remarkable church was constructed in the 1600s, which explains the detailed architecture. Today the colors of certain features are quite striking — those red doors and the sun design around the clock, for example.


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 | Twitter | Flickr | FacebookEmail

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

Scroll down to leave a comment or question. (Click this post’s title first if you are viewing on the home page.)


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