I have been chasing the light here in the caruggi ... the medieval alleyways this city is famous for. In the caruggi, and on the grander streets too, the ones filled with ancient palaces.
And with every movement of the sun, new light is discovered.
A familiar building is bathed in light in a way that makes it new.
Walking here, it is simple to become distracted by the exquisite details the light reveals.
I could walk here, all day every day, for 100 years, and I'm sure I would find new things ... every single time.
Sometimes it's the light, sometimes it's just me looking extra hard.
I love this city.
I took this photograph and, when I looked at it in Photoshop, there was nothing I needed to do to it.
It made me think about the etymology of the word photography ...
'It was created from the Greek roots φωτός (phōtos), genitive of φῶς (phōs), "light" and γραφή (graphé) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light".
I am learning to read the light here. To know where to go at what hour. And if I get right, then the ordinary becomes extraordinary ... by virtue of the light.
I have finally begun work on that Genova book I've been working on for years ... but with a plan. And with deadlines.
I am a photographer and a writer but I am not gifted in the area of organising something as complex as this book I've been circling.
A good friend of mine came to stay at the weekend ... Sunday morning, Leah sat me down, and made me stay there. She questioned me, regarding my idea of the book, and then guided me through the next few weeks. When she left, I had a folder containing a schedule and a plan for the book.
Of course ... being me I have already side-tracked a little, as I search through the thousands of photographs I have taken of Genova, I'm realising just how many images I haven't quite taken through the digital equivalent of the darkroom process.
I don't do much to them, most of the time, but I do like to go over each image.
And so I am discovering that, back in September last year, I went wandering after the rain and found the image there at the top of this post.
And there was this .. just patiently waiting from that time I was down in Porto Antico and the light was exquisite.
My photography always returns when I have some free time ... or is that, I return to my photography.
My head needs to be a little clearer than it has been lately. Last week was particularly chaotic as I pulled off a few minor miracles ...
Today is Sunday, and I slipped out into the morning searching for coffee and ended up with a camera full of photographs.
I found the light exquisite and ended up staying out for hours, wandering in the medieval heart of Genova.
I love to go walking in the city. Sometimes in the early morning light, sometimes just before nightfall.
I noticed this 'gift-wrapped' dome a few weeks ago and photographed it, enjoying the surprise of it there on the skyline.
Last night though, my eye was caught by the way the setting sun seemed to be lighting it from inside. It almost appears to be on fire.
I've been busy, too busy to post it seems. Paperwork like my codice fiscale and a bank account, had to be organised. Then my work here, and the horror that has been moving my stuff from the UK. I learned a lot. And finding a new place to live.
However it's a blue-sky morning, here in Genoa, today. I must go out. There were puddles and reflections last night but it was a wee bit dark when I found them. And coffee, I am in need of good coffee.
Buongiorno!