FLORENCE IN THE FALL
I was off to Italy with two of my friends, primarily to open our Leica Club Manila exhibit on “Religiosity in the Philippines,” in Florence. The trip, scheduled in the fall, offered an excellent opportunity to capture the beauty of Florence through photography.

As my friends and I took pictures along the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, one could hear our digital cameras clicking like mad. Eight frames per second, cameras autofocusing in less than a fraction of a second, each one striving to obtain that perfect shot. Images, stored in 64-gigabyte SD cards, were immediately available for review.

Analogue photography can be a daunting exercise in self-restraint. You simply cannot shoot on the fly. On the other hand, film photography is intuitive. One needs to prepare for every single shot, measuring exposure before pressing the shutter.

I had ten shots per roll on my medium format film camera, so I carefully chose my shots.

Manually zone focusing, I patiently waited in a corner across from the arches of the walkway along the Arno River, eagerly anticipating the perfect moment for something to happen. I expectantly trained my lens’ focus on a stylish gentleman lighting his cigar. I knew that at any moment, he would take a puff. As he exhaled, the opportunity to take that great shot presented itself.

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S DREAMSCAPE
Florence, Italy, is a photographer’s dreamscape. It provides a beautiful backdrop for lovers sweetly locking lips in quiet corners, pretty Italian girls riding their bikes along the riverbank, and artists creating magic on the street pavement. Each corner of the city provides a different story.

It is a jewel of a city, so steeped in glorious history that culture vultures will never have enough time to cover the museums, like the Uffizi, and other notable places such as the Palazzo Pitti. These cultural centers provide great inspiration for both aspiring and seasoned photographers alike.

Italy is not only a perfect setting for photographers; it is also one of the most idyllic vacation spots of Filipino travelers.

It is likewise a foodie’s paradise. On offer are truffle-infused dishes, Portobello mushrooms, pasta, pizza, prosciutto, pancetta, tiramisu, and cappuccinos. We just love to eat and Italy does not frustrate.

Other than the restaurants that play host to Italy’s famed cuisine, other places one should not miss are The Vatican in Rome, Cinque Terre, St. Marks in Venice, the Galleria in Milan, all with landmarks characteristically their own.

However, there is no aspect of Italy that distinguishes itself from the Philippines more than its crisp autumn weather. Those who wish to get away from the humidity and heat of a tropical country will find that cool November is just perfect.

What better way to spend a nice November day than by shopping in Italy? Take delight in world-renowned Italian workmanship in artisanal products available at small shops in various cities. Outlets filled with upscale Italian merchandise are also a must on a Filipino’s to-do list.

When time to fly home came, I brought with me not only a cache of new images waiting to be developed, but also memories of new faces and friends, and enriching cultural experiences.