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The wine culture is characterized by many things. Wine barrels and carts, vineyards and wineries, wine bottles and all of the paraphernalia that accompanies the pleasure of indulging in the sweet nectar of the vine. The wine produced and its associated culture vary greatly from region to region. Here is a sampling from the various wine regions of Europe, from the French regions of Bordeaux, Alsace and Burgundy to the Rhine Valley of Germany along with Tuscany and the Veneto of Italy and some odds and ends mixed in as well.
This collection of wine barrels seemed natural to the scene. The lighting was a bit difficult but I pulled it off. I have added a warm tone and some softening digitally to this image to give it the appropriate ambiance.
While hiking out of the town of Bolzano in the north of Italy, we came across this castle surrounded by a vineyard. The foothills of the Alps served as a great backdrop for the scene. It was early spring and the vines were just beginning to leaf out, covered in that bright spring green. An old orange truck in front of the castle adds a nice touch to the image.
I am particularly fond of this image. The dappled light on the courtyard, the red ivy on the wall and the old olive jar at the entrance all combine to create a pleasing composition for this Brunello winery in Tuscany.
It is a rare moment when a cat will pose for me, but it was chilly and raining lightly and I was standing in the rain while the cat sat dry under an overhang. Perhaps that's why the cat didn't move. I have this funny feeling it was deriving a certain amount of pleasure from my misery.
This wine shop was in Beaune France, in the Burgundy region. I felt that the sepia tone and reduced saturation created a nostalgic feel that worked well with the scene.
These old Brunello wine bottles were in a niche in the wine cellar of a Tuscan winery. I don't recall the story behind them.
Another angle of view from the entrance to the Tuscan wine cellar above and I am fond of this image as well. The dappled light on the courtyard, the red ivy on the wall and the old olive jars at the entrance all combine to create a pleasing composition for this Brunello winery in Tuscany. The square format is a result of a custom request but I like it.
This collection of wine barrels and bucket seemed natural to the rural scene. I have added a warm tone and some softening digitally to this image to give it the appropriate ambiance.
Photographed in the fall, this collection of wine barrels was accented by some red ivy but the lighting was a bit difficult. I believe I pulled it off with the correct exposure. I have added a warm tone and some softening digitally to this image to give it the appropriate ambiance.
Roses are often planted in vineyards to assist in the early detection of plant diseases, but there is an aesthetic value as well. From the looks of these healthy red roses, I would say this vineyard in St. Emilion France, in the Bordeaux region, is doing quite well.
I added a soft focus digitally to this image of a wine cellar at a Brunello winery in Tuscany to convey the romatic ambiance of the scene.
Looking out over the vineyards of St. Emilion France a light fog and mistadds haze and atmosphere to this scene.
Soft light and autumn fog clothe this small family vineyard in the Piemonte region of Italy. When visiting the home where my grandmother's grandmother lived in Castellamonte, we came across this vineyard behind the houses.
In the harsh midday light, the courtyard of a winery basks under the Tuscan sun. The warm stone and terra cotta planter reflect the warmth of this scene as strong shadows add compositional interest.
The village of St Emilion France, in the Bordeaux region, is a wine village that truly reflects its character. The concentration of wine shops in this town is probably the highest we've seen in our travels. It seems almost every building is dedicated to the wine culture and quiet little courtyards like this one abound, reflecting that spirit.
This old wine cart looks like it is ready to go. The hods on this cart are a bit larger than the traditional implements, seen throughout Alsace, which are used by the grape harvesters in the vineyards. They appear to be a little heavy to strap on the back, but maybe I'm just a light-weight.
One more view of the entry to a Brunello winery in Tuscany. The dappled light adds ambiance to the scene while the gate, shadows, stones and wall create leading lines of visual interest to the composition.
The strong sunlight and shadows in this scene were handled best in monochrome. I thought sepia toning of the image added a timeless, nostalgic feel.
Covered bridges evoke feelings of a bygone era - Peaceful times in the countryside, rural life at a slower pace. However, these once plentiful structures have been fading from the American landscape. Cost of maintenance and exposure to fire, decay and vandalism all contribute to their disappearance. Some are cared for as state historic sites while others depend on private funds and organizations to care for them. This gallery shares images of some of these bridges which I have had the chance to photograph.
Parke County Indiana
Jefferson County Missouri
Parke County Indiana
Parke County Indiana
Parke County Indiana
Parke County Indiana
Jefferson County Missouri
Parke County Indiana
Parke County Indiana
Parke County Indiana
Grist and timber mills, which once flourished, are remnants of a bygone era. They stand as testimony to the culture and communities of rural America. These mills harnessed the power of water, particularly natural springs, to grind grain and cut timber.in small communities throughout the United States.
Shannon County Missouri
The old red mill at Alley Spring is probably one of the most beloved sites in the Missouri Ozarks. Located in a state park, many people have found memories of camping at the park and floating the Jack's Fork River. The red mill is the symbol of those memories. This photograph was captured on film and is among my favorites.
Ozark County Missouri
Hodgson Mill is located in a rather remote site deep in the Missouri Ozarks. Sitting alongside a spring fed mill pond it is picturesque. A more modern mill still operates under this name but in a different location.
Reynolds County Missouri
This rustic old mill and waterwheel sits alongside Reed Spring in the Missouri Ozarks.
Shannon County Missouri
Dillard Mill is an old faded red mill that sits along the Huzzah Creek in the Missouri Ozarks. The waterfall alongside the mill is the result of a dam that was built to harness the streams power. It is a state historic site situated in a quiet picturesque setting, but it is very difficult to photograph due to the direction the sun travels in relation to the mill. This photograph was captured on film in 1998 during my first visit to the mill.
Oregon County Missouri
The abandoned Falling Spring Mill is located in a remote spot deep in the Missouri Ozarks. Once a multipurpose mill, there is little left. Falling Spring issues from a bluff next to the mill adding to the beauty of this peaceful setting.
Shannon County Missouri
Morning reflections of the old red mill at Alley Spring.
Crawford County Missouri
Another view of Dillard Mill, framed in autumn colors from the trail leading to the mill.
Shannon County Missouri
The abandoned old Klepzig Mill along Rocky Creek on Mill Mountain is a remote spot down a rough dirt road deep in the Missouri Ozarks. In this beautiful, peaceful setting the mill harnessed the power of the water from a natural shut ins along the creek. There is nothing left but the external structure now.
Oregon County Missouri
This old iron mill wheel was once part of Turner Mill and the remains of a community that was located near the Eleven Point River in the Missouri Ozarks. Now being reclaimed by the forest, the 25 foot high iron wheel sits in the spring branch that once turned the waterwheel to operate a timber mill.
Parke County Indiana
The Mansfield Mill in Parke County, known as the covered bridge capitol of Indiana.
Shannon County Missouri
Another view of morning reflections of the old red mill at Alley Spring.
Oregon County Missouri
A vertical format of the abandoned Falling Spring Mill is located in a remote spot deep in the Missouri Ozarks.
Shannon County Missouri
A detailed view of the old faded red Dillard Mill and the waterfall alongside the mill.
Oregon County Missouri
Another view of the old iron mill wheel that was once part of Turner Mill. This shows the 25 foot high iron wheel as it sits in the spring branch that once turned the waterwheel to operate a timber mill.
Shannon County Missouri
A more recent image of Dillard Mill along the Huzzah Creek situated in its quiet picturesque setting.
Borrowing the expression from Mark Twain's book "Life On the Mississippi" this gallery of images reflects the working life on the river that has served as the main artery of North America for centuries. Although the steamboats of Twain's day are gone, barges and tugboats busily ply the waters in their commercial activities.
After traveling the world and exploring the natural beauty of my home state of Missouri, I have recently turned my attention to my roots. I grew up within a few miles of the Mississippi River and for almost thirty years now I have lived less than a half mile from it. Sometimes we take for granted the everyday things that we see but recently I have begun to explore the river and its surrounding environs with a fresh eye. I foresee additions to this gallery in the future from time to time.
A tugboat moving up the Mississippi River at sunrise captures the life essence of "Life on the Mississippi".
In northern Missouri, the serenity of a crisp winter day is captured in this image large chunks of ice clogging the Mississippi River along a dike as the hues of dusk envelope the scene.
Life on the Mississippi in modern times involves working on barges that transport commercial goods down the river. This ladder and rope are on the deck of a docked barge awaiting future activity.
This digitally altered image graphically portrays a massive chain on the deck of a docked barge.
Among the docked barges along the shoreline, rope and chain are strewn on the deck of a barge. This is a digitally altered image, I liked the way it conveys the graphic elements in the scene.
Life on the Mississippi is captured in this image as a tugboat and barges navigate the river at dawn.
The stone bridges in this gallery come from a variety of places ranging from North America to Europe. I have the good fortune of living near Monroe County Illinois where there are a concentration of these old bridges. Once numerous in the 19th century, they are threatened by the cost of maintenance. The advent of automobiles and new roads has bypassed many of these and they are no longer in use. Many old stone bridges are only open to pedestrian traffic nowadays but they stand as a testament to the engineering skills of a bygone era.
Monroe County Illinois, built in 1849
Garfagnana Region of Northern Tuscany, Italy
The old Weir Bridge in County Kerry, Ireland
Carondelet Park, St. Louis Missouri
Monroe County Illinois
Monroe County Illinois, built in 1849
Monroe County Illinois
Carondelet Park, St. Louis Missouri
Monroe County Illinois
Vicenza Italy
Carondelet Park, St. Louis Missouri
Monroe County Illinois, built in 1881
Remnants of bygone days are scattered throughout the rural Missouri Ozarks. Old mills and farms hint at the communities that once thrived in this region.
The picturesque old red mill at Alley Spring sits at the base of a bluff with a deep blue spring that once provided water power to operate the grist mill. Now a state park it is probably one of the most beloved mills in the state of Missouri.
The abandoned old Falling Spring Mill is a remote setting with the spring issuing out of the side of a cliff into an over grown pond. Klepzig Mill, another abandoned mill sits alongside Rocky Creek on Mill Mountain at the site of natural shut-ins. Accessed by an old dirt road or the Ozark Trail it's remoteness is quite peaceful.
The Missouri Ozarks are filled with gems such as these, just waiting to be explored.
Throughout Europe, outdoor markets abound. Many towns have a designated day of the week when vendors set up in the public squares to sell their products. Offering everything from produce and local foods to clothing, these markets draw local residents and tourists alike.
The atmosphere is often lively and relaxed and the opportunity for people watching can be as enjoyable as the shopping. The images in this gallery are a mix of traditional photographs and digitized images (a format I believe is well suited for the subject matter). I invite you to enjoy the stroll.
Market day in Sarlat is a big event and the food vendors from the Perigord region of France come from all around to offer their products. In my opinion, this region has some of the best food in Europe. I'm not surewhat this sausage seller was pondering.
Each week vendors come to the outdoor market in Colmar France to sell their Alsatian food products. Here are some flavored sausages.
I believe that this cheese seller was offering cheese from the Pyrenees region. Market day in Sarlat is a big event and the food vendors from the Perigord region of France come from all around to offer their products. In my opinion, this region has some of the best food in Europe.
This photograph of market day in Treviso, in northern Italy, captures a vendor and his display. I like the way the digitized image conveys this scene.
The outdoor weekend market in Sarlat is quite large. The French cuisine from the Perigord region is renowned and the market draws a large crowd. This is the only time I received a parking ticket when driving in Europe. It was here in Sarlat on market day I learned my lesson about the unfamiliar parking rules. I like the way this scene is conveyed in a digitized version.
White asparagus is a seasonal vegetable in Europe and a prized menu item. We visited Alsace in late May and it was in season and on all the menus. This was a local vendor's display at the outdoor market in Colmar France.
A digitized image of herbs and spices for sale on the street in Granada Spain.
I tried to capture the feel of the old Moorish market in Granada through the digitization of this image. I invite you to try imagine the exotic feel of this place centuries ago.
An array of spices in the market in Colmar France.
Market day in Sarlat is a big event and the food vendors from the Perigord region of France come from all around to offer their products. In my opinion, this region has some of the best food in Europe. I like the digitized version of this sausage seller in the market.
I tried to capture the feel of the backstreets of the old Moorish market in Granada through the digitization of this image. I invite you to try imagine the exotic feel of this place centuries ago.
The images in this gallery capture the Americana of a bygone era, a time when rural life moved at a slower pace. However, the nostalgic view of such times sometimes overlooks the hard work that accompanied it. Rural life in America was not the life of leisure, farming and the operation of grist and timber mills was not an easy task. As times changed, these processes became obsolete and are only a memory now.
Many of these images have been captured in my home state of Missouri where, deep in the heart of the Ozarks the traces are beginning to vanish (being reclaimed by the forests) or have been preserved as historic sites. The natural springs, creeks and rivers of Missouri were a power source for old grist mills where the farmers brought their grain and timber mills to create lumber to build the cities... and the railway was the means of transportation.
This life is all but gone now but the memories are captured in these images. I have chosen sepia toning for the medium of these prints as it captures the nostalgia of that bygone era. I will continue to add to this gallery as I encounter more of these scenes.
Sepia toning captures the nostalgic feel of the old mill and waterwheel alongside Reed Spring in the Missouri Ozarks.
The abandoned Falling Spring Mill is located in a remote spot deep in the Missouri Ozarks. Once a multipurpose mill, there is little left. Falling Spring issues from a bluff next to the mill adding to the beauty of this peaceful setting.
This is the old Carter Shields cabin in the Smoky Mountains.
This old iron mill wheel was once part of Turner Mill and the remains of a community that was located near the Eleven Point River in the Missouri Ozarks. Now being reclaimed by the forest, the 25 foot high iron wheel sits in the spring branch that once turned the waterwheel to operate a timber mill.
Photography is sometimes about being in the right place at the right time when a serendipitous moment comes upon you. On this morning I had been photographing and was returning as I happened upon this scene. I had only moments to set up my tripod and capture the light before it disappeared.
Dillard Mill is an old faded red mill that sits along the Huzzah Creek in the Missouri Ozarks. The waterfall alongside the mill is the result of a dam that was built to harness the streams power. It is a state historic site situated in a quiet picturesque setting, but it is very difficult to photograph due to the direction the sun travels in relation to the mill.
The abandoned Falling Spring Mill is located in a remote spot deep in the Missouri Ozarks. Once a multipurpose mill, there is little left. These large gears were once used in its operation.
What drew me to this scene was the strong shadows that helped define this barn.
The old Hamilton Iron Works once operated iron smelting furnaces in the Missouri Ozarks. This abandoned furnace is located in Hamilton Hollow. Coming across the impressive stone structure in the woods is almost like happening upon the ruins of some ancient civilization... well, almost.
This old iron mill wheel was once part of Turner Mill and the remains of a community that was located near the Eleven Point River in the Missouri Ozarks. Now being reclaimed by the forest, the 25 foot high iron wheel sits in the spring branch that once turned the waterwheel to operate a timber mill.
Bollinger Mill and the covered bridge next to it is a state historic site in southern Missouri.
The abandoned old Klepzig Mill along Rocky Creek on Mill Mountain is a remote spot down a rough dirt road deep in the Missouri Ozarks. In this beautiful, peaceful setting the mill harnessed the power of the water from a natural shut ins along the creek. There is nothing left but the external structure now.
These old iron furnaces are found in Maramec Springs Park. The area has a rich history for this activity.
Sepia, with a touch of color.
What would the nostalgia of a bygone era be without the railway...
An old kitchen display complete with a hay fork... go figure.
