Tuscan Dream (Explore #1)
I was reading an article recently on the world's 15 best places to watch the sunrise and there were some interesting suggestions but none of them seemed to involve the West Midlands, where I live. Which is surprising.
And many of them appeared to necessitate a degree of personal discomfort as an entry price. Namibia for instance where even the official website states that "in this lifeless desert, nothing moves". Yes. For a reason. Or how about Gokyo Ri in the Himalayas? It's only at 5360m above sea level. I don't think I've even flown that high.
But there's an easier way than all that. A way which almost guarantees an opportunity to catch those golden rays streaming through mist layered valleys. Just come here to Tuscany. Come to San Quirico d'Orcia where an hour before dawn somebody regularly switches on the fog machine for photographers. Which means that you can post an endless succession of shots all taken from the same location provided that your blurb contains the expression "ever changing landscape".
And should you want say, some minor risk to spice up your visit you could even stay in the Wellness and Healing Centre nearby as I did. A place where elderly ladies hopped up on days of bean curd and finding themselves will now offer to find you as well. After breakfast. In their room**. That's got to be better than melting into your sandals in the Namib desert, right?
So here we have it. Val d'Orcia at sunrise. Photography with ommmmmmmmmm.
**the answer is no, before you ask.
Technical: Nikon D810, NIKKOR 16.0-35.0mm f/4 at 28mm, 27 seconds at f/11. Stacked grads. Bean curd.