Alt Italia

Tuscany, through a different lens

By Mark Smith

August 1^st, 2024

Tuscany version 1.0

You may have seen my previous article "New Heights," about our visits to several Tuscan hill towns in Italy - including Orvieto.

This next article puts a different visual spin on our Orvieto visit.

Tuscany version 1.0.1

Photographs come in a wide range: From pure photojournalism (capturing an image exactly as it appears, like a news photo), to pure art (creating something entirely new).

These photos are somewhere in between - giving real scenes, people, and objects an alternative look and feel.

Put another way: This is a version of Orvieto that almost exists :-)

See what you think.

Up, up, up - and out

From the parking lot below Orvieto, this underground walkway led up to another one, then another - and we emerged into a beautiful and interesting town.

I love how this senior dog has placed her butt on the step and her feet in the alleyway. No doubt she's been told to not venture out, and is trying to be good.

For some reason she found me more interesting than Mrs. Yellow. At least temporarily.

Fashion and food

Orvieto is small, but it has a lively fashion and dining culture - no surprise, given the Italians' passion for both.

Reflecting on reality

In this photo there are (at least) four images of human faces, in different forms, shown completely or partially.

This was taken in a small alley with shop windows on both sides. So, lots of glass in close proximity. Some images are reflections; some are not. It's not easy figuring out which are which.

(Click on the image for a slightly larger version).

The rest of Orvieto, including the nice piazza at the top, was just as interesting. BTW look closely at the door buzzer.

Behind Door #1

We were standing in front of the church when a new Mercedes convertible rolled up. A bride-to-be got out and walked with her father up the steps and in through the big double doors. We had to assume that the groom was waiting inside.