Day I - The Hill-town

Pitigliano viewed from the Jewish Cemetery

Pitigliano

We aim to arrive at this picturesque Tuscan hill town at about 9,30 am. The first stop is the "belvedere" of Sant Maria delle Grazie. The morning light falling on the lichen covered stone makes the town appear to glow orange. We wander around the town's narrow streets, with occasional glances down narrow alleyways towards the surrounding hills to meet Signora Servi at the synagogue at about 11,30. She accompanies us to the Jewish cemetery outside the walls . There are fine views of the town with the ancient tombs in the foreground. Signora Elena a sprightly pensioner is one of the few survivors of the once numerous Jewish community and is a cheerful raconteur of local history.

Picnic lunch outside the town in one of the 'Sacred Ways' that were cut into the 'tufo' - the volcanic rock - thousands of years ago by the Etruscans or in the "Grillo" in Pitigliano ­ a charming little osteria in a medieval tower.

Etruscan tomb hidden in the woods

Exploring the "Sacred Ways". These ancient deep cut, man-made ravines wind their way through the tufo connecting Pitigliano with  the neighbouring towns, Sorano and Sovana.  Some are as much as 30 metres deep and the greenery arching above casts an eerie light on us walking below. Sorano. Late afternoon.This nearby hill town is surrounded by cavernous 'colombaie', Etruscan tombs with pigeon holes designed to hold cinerary urns from which one can see the town perched on the hill across the ravine.

a photographer stands at the top of the steps leading down to the ghetto

Pitigliano with its artisans at work in their cavernous workshops, farmers making their own wine in deep, rock hewn cellars, shops seeling every kind of local produce: this is a perfect place to practice photographing people in their environment. Portraiture here is about creating the  right atmosphere by knowing how to use the tools of our trade. How often has a photograph taken with even the most sophisticated modern camera failed to look like the scene as we remember it? The element of joyful surprise is one of the thrills of photography as is unfortunately deep disappointment!

Equipment used in Pitigliano: tripod, two flash units and coloured gells (if you posess a dedicated flash for your camera do please bring it), flash slave, cable release (don't forget this if you have one - it's the one thing we can't always provide), smoke canister, reflector, and a good chat-up line.

Day 2 - The Lake