Berlin - People and Places

Before we leave Berlin, here is a final selection of images that caught my eye. 

Paris

I thoroughly enjoyed my European rail trip last year, so I decided do another one this year. This time, the destination was Germany. Berlin, followed by Dresden and finally Cologne. But my first stop was an overnight in Paris, before a long journey (very long, it turned out) to Berlin via Frankfurt the next day.

 

I arrived in Paris, on time, mid-afternoon. My hotel was close to Gare du Nord, so I dropped my bag and went for a wander. I had a target destination, but I was happy to take a meandering route to get there, stopping if I found something interesting. My first stop turned out to be a large Westfield shopping centre. Forum des Halles might not be everyone's first stop on a night in Paris, but there was interesting architecture, an outdoor space with people, fountains, sculptures, and an old church nearby. Besides, there was nice light, and nice light is nice light. I spent quite a while by the fountains. These were a little different from those I was used to seeing in a location like this. The kind that spit water straight up in the air. These were nebulisers, producing a mist every few minutes. With the light behind me, it made for some interesting shots. Between the mistings, the wet ground offered interesting reflections and a drinking opportunity for the birds. For a change, there were more than just pigeons on offer, and the crows made particularly good subjects. Eventually, I moved on, and followed the river for blue hour.

 

 

Mayfair Christmas

Last weekend, I was in London for lunch and a show. In between, there was time for a stroll around the posh bits. Starting in Berkeley Square, our walk included New Bond Street and the Burlington Arcade. The Christmas decorations were just as lovely as you would hope could be achieved with a awful lot of money.

Milan: The Beautiful People

My final stop in Italy was a single night in Milan. After checking-in to my hotel I headed for Milan Cathedral, Duomo di Milano, as this seemed as good a start point as any. By accident, rather than design, I had arrived on the Saturday of Milan Fashion Week. The large and very crowded square in front of the cathedral, was also hosting several fashion shoots, in and amongst the tourists. There were two big shoots, one for bridal wear and one more general (lots of little black dresses), plus a couple of individual shoots with social media influencer types. There was also a woman who didn't seem part of any formal shoot, but she was in a stunning dress and was delighted to pose for anyone who pointed a camera at her.

 

The Back Streets of Naples

'I remember the back streets of Naples', to quote the terrible Peter Sarstedt song. Well, the back streets were far more interesting than the front streets, and not far from them either. Most of these images were taken in the 'Spanish Quarter', just off the main drag that was featured in the first Naples post. All the images were shot in the last couple of hours of light, with the little fixed lens Fuji X100vi, which was perfect for the circumstances.

I was fascinated by the little shrines that seemed to be on every other building. I've seen similar things in rural Ireland, but those were quite formulaic. A statue of the Madonna in a little house. The Naples versions were much more personal and quirky.