Photographer's Note
Via Gramsci, Monteriggioni, Siena, Tuscany. See the Workshops for aerial views of the town.
Another in my series of conversations - and two girls. I came across these two friends passing the time of day, and thought the place, which was beautiful enough, was enhanced by their casual presence.
Monteriggioni is a medieval walled town, located on a natural hillock, built by the Sienese in 1214–19 as a front line in their wars against Florence. The roughly circular walls, totalling a length of about 570 metres follow the natural contours of the hill. There are 14 towers on square bases set at equidistance, and two portals or gates. During the conflicts between Siena and Florence in the Middle Ages, the city was strategically placed as a defensive fortification. It also withstood many attacks from both the Florentines and the forces of the Bishop of Volterra. In 1554 the Sienese placed control of the town's garrison to Giovannino Zeti, who had been exiled from Florence. In 1554, in an act of reconciliation with the Medicis of Florence, Zeti simply handed the keys of the town over to the Medicean forces - considered a "great betrayal" by the town's people. The town is architecturally and culturally significant; it contains several piazzas, is almost intact and unchanged since the 16th century, and is referenced in Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy":
"As with circling round
Of turrets, Monteriggioni crowns his walls;
E’en thus the shore, encompassing the abyss,
Was turreted with giants, half their length
Uprearing, horrible, whom Jove from heaven
Yet threatens, when his muttering thunder rolls."
These two just lived there, and probably couldn't care less about the town's history, or Dante's mythology.
Shutter speed: 1/250th sec
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 200
Focal length: 70mm
Click here for the larger Beta TrekEarth version.
snunney, jhm, pajaran, holmertz, GyurMaster, Royaldevon, lucasgalodoido, Energysavingelk, ktanska, macjake, delpeoples, ourania marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
rbassin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1965 W: 133 N: 1912]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(27472) 2016-10-10 2:46
hello Will,
une scène en N&B bien cadrée, bonne lumière dans un endroit charmant avec ces vielles pierres.
Une image agréable.
Bonne journée
Roland
snunney
(130967) 2016-10-10 2:56
Hello Will,
The image is very well composed and the mood ideally suited to the black and white treatment. Fine range of tones and excellent textural detail.
jhm
(211734) 2016-10-10 3:50
Hello Will,
Your black and white picture fits perfect with the old door and facade.
Only the girls are not so old, and have modern clothes.
Your picture became perfect taken, excellent clear and sharp.
Very well done, TFS .
Have a nice day,
John
emka
(157280) 2016-10-10 5:49
Hello Will, Other fine picture with just "nothing special" action from the little Italian town. What they can talk about? Nicely shown textures of the stone walls and wood. Well suited scene for the black and white treatment.
I suppose I went by Monteriggioni, but I saw it only from the bus.
WArm regrad s MAlgo
Sergiom
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 9717 W: 0 N: 11656]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(117241) 2016-10-10 6:17
Bonjour Will,
Il fallait absolument faire cette photo en noir et blanc. Il y a un petit côté documentaire à l'ensemble. En lisant l'image de gauche à droite on voit que tout pousse le regard vers les deux dames en grande conversation.
Amicalement
Serge
Silvio1953
(220465) 2016-10-10 7:11
Ciao Will, lovely B&W composition with nice scene, fine details, excellent clarity, splendid light and good perspective, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
holmertz
(101890) 2016-10-10 7:57
Hello Will,
This is one of those delightful "nothing special" photos that I like so much and always hope to capture. Just two girls having a chat, but they are so well placed and they are so well balanced by the wooden gate. The rough stones and the fine contrasts also make the photo very enjoyable. But how could I be unaware of this fantastic village? Seen from above it looks absolutely sensational. Maybe it is hopelessly packed with souvenir stalls and fast food restaurants.
Kind regards,
Gert
GyurMaster
(24668) 2016-10-10 9:13
Dear Will,
I could only echo Gert that this is a special nothing special photo. This time you perfectly obeyed the rule of the thirds, the tones are great an theire are a lot of details to be observed like the watering can and the rustic door.
Best Wishes,
Gy.
Nicou
(193806) 2016-10-10 10:49
Hello
Quel rendu sur la façade superbe quel dame et vue merveilleux quel rendu et contraste superbe.
Bravo et amitié
nciou
Royaldevon
(85602) 2016-10-10 14:11
Hello Will,
This is an excellent photograph and looks even more stunning on Beta, where the textural details are amazing!
The guide lines and composition really make this stand out.
My warm regards,
Bev :-)
lucasgalodoido
(27698) 2016-10-10 16:59
Hi Will,
beautiful composition here, and good choice of B&W capture and high constrast. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas
ktanska
(44438) 2016-10-11 12:16
Hi Will,
Well captured daily life moment. Those buildings look positively ancient. And still those girls give give strong impression that life inside those walls is entirely modern. B&W is a good choice for this scene that probably wasn't very colourful anyway.
Kari
macjake
(98260) 2016-10-11 13:49
Hi Will
you could have easily placed the WS photos as main posts, they're fantastic views of the old town. Its not something we get to see too often.
your main post here is wonderful too, the textures on the stone wall comes across extremely well. the casual scene carries alot of visual interest. the side light is attractive too. cool collection of shots
cheers
Craig
CLODO
(45116) 2016-10-11 23:24
Hi Will
A new upload to your serie; morning chat between 2 neighbours in casual dress, relaxed position for one, they should exchange some news about...??? The everyday life is so enjoyable for street photographers.
Best ragards
CLODO
lousat
(138541) 2016-10-12 2:41
Hi Will,a lovely capture from the heart of this very old town,i never been there and it looks very interesting,the WS from above are very useful.A top class black and white,the young women contrasts well the old facades,magic lights and impressive sharpness as always. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
mesutilgim
(0) 2016-10-13 11:58
Hello Will,
As a fan of b&w photography this one from Siena is a topclass one !
Not only photographycally but enrciched with many interesting and usefull notes a perfect TE entry.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM
delpeoples
(60342) 2016-10-16 2:56
Ciao Will
This photo is perfectly suited to Black & White. It accentuates the light and shade perfectly, and also the textures of the ancient walls and wooden doors. The inclusion of some locals are a delightful addition, adding interest and a great deal of character to this very Italian scene.
Best wishes, have a great weekend
Lisa
ourania
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4869 W: 13 N: 10027]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(51103) 2016-10-23 2:48
Hello Will,
i didn't know about this little town and I appreciate very much the way you are presenting it, through an intimate daily life scene, a thorough note and two fascinating aerial views added to the workshop. Your picture has beautiful grey tones, superb light, shadows, textures and atmosphere. It's always fascinating to see timeless, historic sites as daily life settings. Even if the girls don't know much about History or Dante (which is just a hypothesis, I guess) they surely must feel something special in the atmosphere of their town. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Will Perrett (willperrett)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1071 W: 301 N: 3110]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(14195) - Genre: Pessoas
- Medium: Preto & Branco
- Date Taken: 2011-10-10
- Categories: Vida Diária
- Camera: Canon EOS5D, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM
- Exposição: f/1.4, 30 segundos
- Map: view
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
- Tema(s): Two Girls, Will's street snaps, Encounters and conversations, Will's monochromes #2 [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2016-10-10 2:24
Discussions
- To holmertz: Monteriggioni (1)
by willperrett, last updated 2016-10-10 08:21 - To macjake: Workshops (1)
by willperrett, last updated 2016-10-12 01:29
