Always carry your camera.
Simple advice that’s not always easy to follow.
Most of the time I take my Canon 400D wherever I go. I don’t always use it; in fact there are many days that it seems like no more than unnecessary weight.
But if I’m in the right place at the right time to take a great shot or a great series of photographs that capture the scene or special moment then I feel it’s worth it.
But I do head out without my camera and I often see something that makes me regret not bringing it.
This happens more often in Abruzzo than any other place I know.
Abruzzo is a photographer’s paradise.
Around every corner there’s photo opportunity better than the last. It could be a village scene, a stunning view or a local festival that catches my eye.
Immediately on seeing it I want to capture it.
That’s a good thing right? After all I write this blog and it has a strong photo element, so my having a desire to capture each significant moment makes sense.
The problem is that I can easily spend so much time trying to capture the moment that I don’t experience it fully. Sure I can look back at the photos and relive what happened but the experience itself is more than the image.
The image can be the key that stirs memories and feelings but for that to occur I must have experienced moment, not just captured it.
Where am I going with this?
Well here’s a short list, in no particular order, of memorable events that I experienced while I was in Abruzzo recently. In all cases I either didn’t have my camera or I felt that a picture wouldn’t have added to the experience.
The events are fresh in my mind and I can still feel the joy I felt when they occurred. Some are spectacular, and some are just part of day to day living, but they were all wonderful. Here we go:
- Watching a hawk glide majestically through olive trees
- Torrential rain making rivers of village streets
- The taste of Valentini olive oil
- The fireworks finale at the festival of San Zopito
- The fun of crossing Italy in an ice-blue Cinquecento
- The taste of freshly sliced porchetta
- Thunder and lightning that lasted for hours
- Jumping with fright as black snake slithered across my path*
- Picking ripe cherries on the roadside
- Driving very carefully through mist in the Gran Sasso
- Sharing a bottle of Don Bosco Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with friends
- Sitting on a terrace watching acrobatic swifts swoop again and again
- Clothes drying in less than an hour on a sunny balcony
- A chilled bottle of prosecco being popped
- Slowing down as a lone sheep farmer guided his herd to better grazing
- Devouring peas and beans straight from their pods
Writing this list has brought a smile to my face. There are many more items I could’ve added but I think you get the picture!
I’ll always try to take my camera with me as much as I can but getting the balance right, and ensuring that I’m part of the experience instead of just recording the event, is crucial.
That said, you can expect a few photos in future posts!
* I’ve since discovered that the black snakes of Abruzzo are harmless grass snakes that are far more interested in rodents than scary humans. It shouldn’t be confused with Abruzzo’s viper (green, brown or orange) which should be avoided. Harmless or not I’m happy to let snakes be.
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