Photographs of Italy in Black and White

I have visited Italy seven times. My first visit was in 1998 on a whirlwind tour of France and Italy. When I began visiting Italy I was shooting film and carried two camera bodies, one loaded with color film and one with black and white.

My preferred black and white films were Ilfrod products and I used both the Delta line and XP2 , which was a chromogenic film. I liked the surprise that came from developing XP2 because it created color cast variations, thus it did not produce pure black and white images (although it could be processed as black and white).

Of course with the advent of digital technology that has changed. I have scanned some of my favorite black and white film images but there is more to come. I now print the black and whites digitally and am pleased with the way the print. Now I no longer carry two bodies, but I still think and expose differently for images I conceive to be black and white presentations.

I still love the look of black and white and produce images in that genre. The old school hasn't been discarded, only improved on with age and technology.

Life In the Piazza

The piazza is the center of life in Italy and this piazza in San Gimignano is bustling with afternoon activity. This image was photographed during my first trip to Italy in 1998 with Ilford XP2 black and white film.

Architectural Elements in Perugia

Architectural elements are the key compositional feature in this image which was photographed on a trip to Perugia in 2005.

Cluster of Olive Trees in Tuscany

This cluster of olive trees was growing in a little grove on a terraced hillside and photographed on my trip to Tuscany in the fall of 2014.

Villa Garzoni Terraces

The terraces at Villa Garzoni in northern Tuscany are amazing. I thought black and white seemed to capture the architectural structure in this garden.

Sparse Cypress and Hills in Tuscany

The austere Tuscan landscape of the Crete Senese is quite dramatic. The sparse cypress trees among the hills are renowned, but it was the light that really captivated me. Sun, clouds and shadows rolled across the landscape and it was in constant change. These are the elements that can create a dramatic black and white image.

Home and Stairway in Bagni di Vignoni

Stone, window, steps and an archway... all the architectural elements needed for a black and white composition.

Grand Old Olive Tree Under the Tuscan Sky

What a grand old olive tree this is! Sitting in the midst of an olive grove under a cloud filled blue Tuscan sky.

Column and Shadows in Milan

The simple composition of this image is strong. The column gives architectural context and the strong sun casting shadows on this wall is accented by the two little squares on the wall.

Quiet Lane In a Chianti Hill Town

Quiet solitude strolling a cobblestone lane in the Chianti hill town of Montefioralle.

Vitaleta Chapel On the Road to Pienza

This little chapel sits on a farm along the road between San Quirico and Pienza. The fact that it has been photographed so many times and is a an iconic landmark in the Tuscan landscape does not diminish the setting.

Garden Steps at Villa Garzoni

These steps on one of the terraced staircases at Villa Garzoni make an ideal subject for black and white architectural photography.

Steps to a Stone Home in Tuscany

These stone steps to the entrance of a stone home in the Tuscan hill town of Montichiello look so inviting.

The Spanish Steps in Black and White

The Spanish Steps without people? Yes, if you get up early enough in the morning. It was quiet and peaceful, yet I was just waiting for Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck to appear, they missed their cue... or perhaps I was a few decades too late.

Oleander In a Tuscan Courtyard

A large oleander accents a secluded old stone courtyard in Tuscany.

Red Boat in the Harbor at Vernazza

A black and white image with a splash of color. This little red fishing boat was photographed in the harbor at Vernazza along the Cinque Terre on my first visit to Italy in 1998.

Siena Rooftops

This image was captured on Ilford XP2 black and white film during my first visit to Italy in 1998. It was the breakfast view from our hotel terrace each morning.

Steps in Perugia

The stone steps of this stairway in Perugia create leading lines into the scene and are a key component to the architectural elements of this image.

View Over Siena

Looking out toward the Tuscan hills over the rooftops of Siena.

Shutters Balcony and Fresco in Verona

Verona is one of my favorite cities in Italy. Piazza Erbe in Verona is surrounded by buildings with wonderful old deteriorating frescoes. They are not easy to photograph as they are up high and the piazza is not very wide. This image is lovely in color but I like the black and white version as well.

Cafe in Verona

This scene is also located along Piazza Erbe in Verona. The crumbling old buildings have great ambiance.

Side Passage on the Spanish Steps

A less familiar view of the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Castello Sarres in Val d'Aosta

The Val d'Aosta in northwestern Italy is host to quite a few castles. They served as a defense from invading armies coming over the Alps. I visited Val d'Aosta in the fall of 2000. This image was captured on Ilford black and white film. My attention was drawn to the shadows cast on the castle by the strong side lighting against the mountains in the background. I have digitally toned this image for some added interest.