So, dear hearts, I’m back from two weeks away in Tuscany – and a few days getting over an epic forty-four hour journey across the world (involving only one lost bag containing all my camera lenses, thankfully recovered), my usual chronic jetlag and the most amazing creative high.
Nonna Agata would like to inform you she doesn’t need yoga, she has a herb garden
I was attending the very first Plated Stories workshop, taught by Ilva Beretta and Jamie Schler, the two genius ladies behind the award-winning Plated Stories blog – and the combination of top quality food photography and food writing instruction, new and unbelievably talented friends, the stunning location of the agriturismo where we were staying, and our trips out to some of the most beautiful hilltowns in Tuscany, served to nearly make my head (and camera) explode.
Guido and Silvia wonder where the heck they parked the Vespa
I’m still processing my thoughts and processing the exactly 2,000 photos I apparently took while I was there. If you’re not in the market to see hundreds of pictures of Tuscany over the next few weeks, I would quietly exit stage left now. Believe me I will understand.
When you think of Tuscany you think of dreamy landscapes and ancient buildings, and yes, we saw our fair share of those. What I hadn’t realised was the amazing scope it holds for street photography. Here are a few of the little ‘Tuscan Stories’ I encountered.
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“Tell that bitch I didn’t want to be invited to the wedding anyway”
Francesco and Lorenzo briefly consider not being gay
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You know what they say…. big camera… big ice cream
Antonella wistfully remembers that time she nearly got a part as an extra in La Dolce Vita
‘Hey Mummy, go faster, we can’t let her win again’
‘Tell those tourists that if they want anything else to eat they can flippin’ well cook it themselves. Stronzi!’
Federica wistfully remembers the days when her husband still bought her flowers
‘Wonder if we’ll still be friends when we grow up’?
‘Isn’t it amazing that we’re still friends after all these years!’
Lots more Tuscan street photography (and more photography of every other possible description) to come! I’m going to be milking this trip for MONTHS! I bet you can scarcely stand the excitement.
Adore the photos. Just got my Tuscan fix for the day. Can’t wait to see all 2,000 – bring them on! PS, are you sure Francesco & Lorenzo weren’t wondering which one the wedding dress would fit 🙂
Dang! You’re right about Francesco and Lorenzo – I think it has to be Francesco’s though…
You are hilarious! ! Love the pics and the captions!! Look forward to more from your point of view 🙂
Now you understand why I found our writing assignments so unlike my normal style….
Absolute perfection Paola!
Well coming from the queen of street photography, that means a LOT 🙂
Genius, Paola! Being to shy to do street photography myself, I love when others do it and especially when they do it so well like here! Italy is perfect for it but you need to have the eye to catch it all. Now add the captions and as I am reading this still in bed, verbally trying to kick oldest son out of his bed and most likely getting angry soon, THIS was what I needed to keep me sane and happy- thank you!
I truly don’t see how you can live in Italy WITHOUT doing street photography. Don’t tell anyone but it was the thing that ended up most inspiring me from the whole workshop. I came back from Siena (which was a street photographer’s PARADISE) on a huge creative high. And I don’t normally even like taking photos of people….
Fabulous start to your trip images, Paola!! Looking forward to seeing many more. :-))
Thanks Clare! You may regret saying that…
Wonderful photos but I loved how you kicked them up with stories – one image, one sentence but an entire story! See, we did stretch your brain! I, for one, cannot wait to see every one of those 2,000 photos and read about every detail of your trip, even better through your own funny, thoughtful imagination.
It was such a thrill getting to know you and such a fabulous experience “teaching” you… helping you find your confidence and voice. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that you loved it and got so much out of it. I do hope that we can somehow see each other in the future. x
Jamie, I only included captions for you! I couldn’t be doing with a long descriptive blog post but I thought you would be cross if I didn’t write at least something.
Oh and believe me you were TEACHING. I learned LOADS. We will meet up again in future. You don’t wriggle away THAT easily 🙂 xxx
I am deeply envious….you obviously made the most of a wonderful place. More pictures (and captions) please.
Thank you! It was an amazing experience… and lots more photos where these came from…
Big Cameras……? Love’em
He knew what he was doing with it too…
Ahhh, the little boys/old men made me sniffle. Lovely.
I loved that if you squint a bit the two little boys on left look a little like they could conceivably turn into the old men on the left. I squealed when I saw that…