From the Tuscan countryside – Exploring myself through photography
Hello everyone! My name is Eleonora, and I live in Italy. I am based in a small hilltop town in north-west Tuscany, a region that is well-known for its varied countryside and its incredible natural landscapes. And right from the Tuscan countryside, I am going to tell you my story.
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Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to travel a lot so far. For this reason, I mainly take pictures of the surrounding places, focusing on details, and adopting varied points of view. I think that you do not always need to travel to fascinating, exotic locations to take good pictures. What you need is your faithful smartphone and a considerable dose of inspiration!
What is photography, and what does it mean to me? Well, photography to me is an explosion of life and emotions! It is a vehicle for self-expression, which helps me feel in connection with the world and with my inner self, breaking the monotony of daily routine.
I have always been fascinated by how photography can construct our reality. Even though I am not a professional photographer, I always try to express my innermost self through photographs. The subjects of my shots are mainly natural and rural landscapes, alleys, old houses, cobblestone paths, and city views. I love nature photography, mostly because I enjoy being surrounded by nature and feeling part of it. I do not have a camera. I pick up my smartphone and go off to take pictures, trying to convey my aesthetic taste and my current mood.
When I grab my smartphone, and I start taking pictures, I look for the colours and the shapes that attract me most. What I mainly aim to do is seek and capture beauty and harmony. I have to say it: it is not a simple task at all! Anyway, I feel that every time I try, it is as if I could get to know myself and my abilities a little more.
Memories from my childhood – getting back to nature
Tree of memories
Through my natural landscape photographs, I can relive my beautiful childhood memories in nature, recalling the emotions connected to them. I could say that photography not only helps me bring back lovely memories, but also create a bond between the past and my current self.
I will never forget the time I used to spend with my family in a countryside location near my hometown, as a little girl. Memories of wheat fields and green meadows frequently come back to me, and I feel the need to recall the sense of well-being and calmness that I used to experience at that time.
I like to explore nature and let my senses being stimulated by everything that surrounds me. I want to touch the ground, feeling the texture of the soil, smell the leaves and the grass, observing how their colours change, thus marking the passing of seasons. Even more, I love to look at the shape of clouds in the Autumn sky, and wait for the clap of thunders on rainy days.
Everything about nature is magical and mysterious! I am not going too far if I say that exploring the countryside lazing around makes me feel that “I have enough”. I think that all I need is to spend my time walking at the pace of nature, recalling and creating fond memories of my journey on our Mother Earth.
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Taking a unique perspective on reality – a process of self-liberation
Countryside is my natural hideout
Let me tell you a bit more about my approach to photography.
When I go off for a wander, searching for natural landscapes, breath-taking views or new places to visit, I never wear makeup or fancy dresses. I want to feel comfortable in my skin, and I do not care how I look to other people. I could say that this helps me further the process of self-liberation that I will always try to pursue in my life. It makes me feel emotionally free and enables me to focus more on who I am.
All in all, I think that photography allows me to focus more on what surrounds me and less on my outward self. It makes me feel less influenced by social pressures and constructs.
You may not agree with me, but I believe that as we concentrate on taking photographs, we become more willing to open towards the outside world. We get closer to the beauty of the world, the complexity of human nature and the passage of time. At the same time, this process allows us to look inward, embracing introspection, while practising the act of paying attention and listening to ourselves. If we can stop focusing our attention on social constructs for a moment, we become immersed in our inner state. Ultimately, in the fragment of time in which we feel connected to our feelings, we can take time for ourselves and develop our unique way to look at the world.
The solitude of photography – discovering my inner self
Taking a walk through a magical Tuscan hamlet…
Since I became interested in photography – a couple of years ago – my usual solitary walks became more frequent. I began to reflect more on my way to deal with loneliness and the way I like to spend the time on my own.
To tell you the truth, as a young girl, I used to fear loneliness. I was afraid that being alone would make me feel bored, incomplete, and empty. Over time, as I grew up, I began to perceive the value of loneliness. I began to enjoy my moments of solitude and silence, away from everything and everyone in peace and tranquility. I realized that these moments give me the chance to observe the world from my point of view, without interference, leaving behind the empty talks and pressures of the everyday life. Eventually, I began to listen to myself at a much deeper level, in my solitude and in my freedom.
Taking a bunch of tries! – how I try to improve my photography skills
Improving like a blooming flower…
Since I started posting some of my photographs on Instagram, I have become more self-critical about my shots. I am not looking for perfection. What I like to do is to try to identify my shortcomings, improve my skills and learn day by day. I always take a lot of tries, and I rarely post my final shots. Another thing that I like to do is to explore works of other amateur photographers and look for tips, comments, suggestions and opinions.
Although I only take pictures in my spare time – without taking myself too seriously – I hope to soon be able to attend a photography course. I would like to start learning different photography techniques and try my hand at different styles.
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I am very grateful to Lara for allowing me to showcase some of my photos. Thank you kindly, it has been a pleasure and an honour to write a post for your blog and your readers. I am looking forward to seeing more of your fantastic work!
Eleonora
PS.
If you want to see more of my pictures please have a look at my Instagram account:
Eleonora’s Instagram account: eleonora_piacentini_
Photography has always been one of my favorite things to do. And with cell phone and social media today, it just adds to the enjoyment of photography.
I like how you talked about your childhood memories and the images.
But photography is something you can always look back on and share with friends and family on Instagram and other platforms.
And it does help to improve your skills as well.
I think it’s a great way for others to see your pictures and vice versa.
How often do you post your pictures and do you also use other social media?
I agree with you. Sharing photos with friends and family definitely adds to the enjoyment of photography.
It is funny, and it makes all the experience more interesting because it allows you to receive feedback and comments and -possibly- improve your content.
I think that’s the reason why I started posting my pictures more often on social media, as of late.
I post at least twice a week on Instagram.
At the moment, I only use Instagram and Facebook.
Eleonora… what a beautifully written piece! The way that you put your words together creates a calmness in those reading it. I am so glad that I ran across your post. Those portraits that you took are breath-taking! I cannot believe you took those with your phone and not some expensive camera… they truly look professional with a high quality of detail. I also love that you don’t worry about what you are wearing or makeup when you go on these strolls. You truly just focus on nature and your surroundings and that is shown very clearly in your work. Keep up the great job! I look forward to reading more of your articles in the future!
Thank you very much for your kind words! I’ m glad that you get my feelings through my words and my photos. It means a lot to me. I really try to do my best to express my love for nature!
These are really pretty I must confess. I love seeing people take pictures of buildings and flower, nature generally intrigues me a lot. I am really amazed by our works and would love to see more of these works. Is there any means I can see more of it? Maybe through an link or a page I can search?
Thank you very much!! You can find a link to my Instagram profile at the end of the post!
Oh my Goodness, You have amazing and nice pictures up here Eleonora, I can’t just bring myself to the realisation that you took those pictures with your smartphone, i would have bet that those shots were taken by a very expensive high tech Nikon Cam. More grease to your elbow and keep falling in love with what you do.
Thank you very much for your words! I’ll definitely take your advice!
Wow, not bad at all dear. I love your story as well as your work. It’s awesome that you can start small and taking it up gradually to another level. Italy is a very lovely place with beautiful landscape. I know you will be able to achieve a whole lot with photography. Wish you all the success in this world. Cheers!
Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your wishes.
Exactly! What I’d like to do is to improve my work gradually.
Firstly, I like your philosophy towards photography that it doesn’t necessarily have to be based on travelling around the world. Since nature is all around us, it is only for us to use our ingenuity to create the best out of what nature has deposited with us. I like the images I have seen you captured and I like the attention you have paid to special details in the pictures. They breathe life and that is great. I feel opportuned to have read about you. Thanks
Thanks to you, Mattias. I’m so glad that you get my feelings.
I agree with you.
By exploring nature we have the opportunity to develop our creativity and fully enjoy the essence of life.
Moreover, we learn to find beauty and joy in what surrounds us, without necessarily going too far.
These pictures are really nice, Eleonora. They remind me to, of the quietness of the countryside. Just this morning I went for a long walk. There were next to no people and hardly any cars. It was so quiet and the air was fresh and trees and farm fields were so refreshing.
Your pictures portray that same kind of peace and quietness that one could never find in the big city.
Thank you for sharing these with us,
Wayne
P.S. You know, I take a camera with me when I am out on my long walks just in case I see some wildlife or something else thats interesting. Trouble is, it never comes out of the pack I carry it in. It’s not very big. could carry it in my hand. Time to make a change?
Thank you very much, Wayne. I always try to convey this sense of peace and quietness that you described in my countryside pictures, It most sums up the essence of this type of locations.
By the way, I think that I’ll take your advice! I hope to soon be able to take the next step and buy a small camera to take with me.
Your images are stunning and the back story is a fun flight through a different place backed by history. I especially love the image described as a Walkthrough a magical Tuscan Hamlet, the building is a great display of the architecture of the region and the cut out reminds me of the mountainside Garages of Jerome Arizona. Perhaps a place for one of your future journeys. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of your works.
I’ve never heard of the mountainside Garages. I’m sure it is a beautiful place to visit, and I’ll do some researches on it. Thank you very much for your kind words!
I really enjoyed Eleonora’s photographs and her story.. I enjoy spending time in the country, so it would have been hard for me to NOT like her photographs.
Yet, her story and thoughts on photography really got me to thinking about how I feel about photography in general. Sometimes, I feel like I am hiding behind the camera. Other times, I feel like I may miss out on simply enjoying the moment since I am so focused on capturing the shot.
I understand what she means when she said that photography is a vehicle of self expression. I too feel like can allow you to connect to the world. At the same time, I’m still trying to find that perfect balance of enjoying the entire moment and still getting a few great shots.
Thank you, Sondra, You made a good point. It’s important to find the right balance!
Photography can help us to focus more on details and enjoy the view, but it should not stop us from living the moment.
At the end of the day, I think that our eyes and our hearts have the ability to capture moments far better than any camera. Cameras are only vehicles of expression, what really matters is what is behind them.
I love photography, I love how you tell about your childhood and how you take pictures near where you live. This is a great pastime. It is a way to step out of our busy worlds and appreciate our surroundings. The fact that you take pictures near your home doesn’t mean its not exciting to others who are not from there and don’t travel, you offer a snapshot of a real environment to people who can’t travel there or an appreciation to the ones who can.
Love your photography skills too.
It is indeed a great hobby for me. I like the fact that you appreciated my vision of photography as a way to escape our busy lives. You really got my point. Thank you very much!
Youre right, it is not until we travel around the world before we can see a fascinating image to snapped. All this image tells alot of messages and they are amazing. Photography is part of living and it can awaken our memories each time we get access to it. This is the reason why I can’t underate the joy and fulfilment photography can bring .
Thank you! I think that photography is deeply related to memories and feelings. It can truly express our personality and our vision of the world.
Loving your photos Eleanora!
I can relate to you, I too somehow have got this feeling that nature photos are the best although architectural-wise, being in the city can give you endless great shots but at the end of the day, it’s all about what angle your heart is attuned to, wouldn’t you agree. Might just be me, but have you ever had this feeling of traveling overseas just to capture nature in different regions? 😀
Thank you! I agree with you. It’s all about our way to see things and experience life.
I’d definitely love to travel overseas and explore different natural sites.
I hope to soon be able to do it!
You did a great job with this post and pictures, Eleonora. You have a lot of potential with your work. It was very inspiring. Maybe in time I will do something similar, but its hard for me to travel around and take pictures. Keep up the good work and keep up and inspire people.
Thank you! I really appreciated your words. If you’ll manage to do something similar in the future I’ll be truly happy to see your work.
Eleonora, You are so lucky to have a beautiful landscape within your reach. I had always been fascinated by the European/Mediterranean countryside. It has a certain aura of preserved time. Sharing your experience with photography is inspiring.The way you identify self liberation rather than focusing on outward self is commendable. I wanted to have the same outlook like you do bit honestly, we don’t have the same picturesque places around for a subject. Maybe I’ll just keep on looking or improve my photography skills at least. Your pictures by the way are amazing, it felt close to my heart. It has certain character to it. I’m gonna go through your other pictures at instagram and feast my eyes of the Tuscan countryside.
Thank you very much for your words! you’re so kind!
Well, I must say that the subjects are very important when you try to convey a certain type of mood.
Anyway, I think that perspectives and details are also very important. Sometimes, it’s the way you look at things that really makes the difference.
A Tuscany specialist. How Awesome! Do you plan on starting a Florence or Venice series or will your focus remain on landscapes and hamlets?
Don’t get me wrong – the Tuscan landscape is very beautiful and you could spend a lifetime shooting that alone, but I have a particular fondness for Renaissance Italy.
Congratulations on your work.
Henri
I’m definitely planning to explore different locations and look for different views and landscapes.
I’d really like to start a Florence or Venice series.
These cities are not very far from where I live, and it wouldn’t be difficult for me to go there and take some shots. Thank you for your advice!