Monte Carlo, Monaco Harbor

With the Monaco Grand Prix coming May 26 to 29, I was inspired to look back on my photographs of this spectacular location. I have visited Monaco with my family three times, thanks to my generous and adventurous Dad. The last time was in 2008 when we sailed from Monte Carlo in a cruise ship. (Our ship is docked at the upper right of the harbor.)

Memories of Monaco, 2008.

The view of the harbor from the royal palace is spectacular on a clear day, as you can see in the photo. It’s a wide view, but I captured the whole crescent using my fish eye lens (15mm). When the Grand Prix is not overtaking the rim of the harbor with race cars and crowds, you can enjoy a scenic walk along the harbor to check out the fantastic array of yachts. Enjoy a glass of wine at a cafe and a gourmet French dinner. Later on, collect your passport and go see the famous Casino. If time permits, be sure to visit the Jacques Cousteau Aquarium. Enraptured by the outdoor vistas, I never visited the aquarium until my third visit. Then, I knew what I was missing!

If you have visited beautiful Monaco, the tiny country on the Mediterranean between Italy and France, share your favorite memories here.

Primary Pink Tulip

The cool thing about a 15mm lens is that you can elevate your foreground subject to become the center of the universe. As the background blurs in the distance and rounds itself to represent the whole world, this single tulip in its brilliant pink hue and crisp focus dominates the scene, or if you will, the whole world.

Acres of tulips in bloom? Try using a 15mm lens and showcase a single tulip.

This is one way to photograph hundreds of colorful tulips in bloom in Baltimore’s Sherwood Gardens. Scanning acres of tulips and azaleas, I found that one place to begin was on my knees with one tulip, just one.

Nikon D800, ISO 100, F 6.3 handheld at 1/400 second. Processed in Lightroom, Photoshop at Topaz Impression. April 2016