Rocco Galatioto, nice photos and good food

back to the Brooklyn Botanic on a summer day. Utter peace and tranquility .

There was a time when there were fewer cameras especially small ones. Now it's very hard to keep up with the sheer volume of different models. Many are very similar and tend to consume the buyer. However, there also was a time when Fuji was a serious contender with their S Pro series that had given Fuji the wedding industry practically all to itself. There was no sequel to the famed S-5 Pro and that was too bad in view of their novel sensor approach. Their X series is now their high end system but it's pricey and in steep competition with other similar designs. It's too bad that Fuji has refused to embrace the micro four thirds system that is growing rapidly. We shall see what Fuji has in mind in the near future. FujiFilm is planning to eliminate 50% of their compact camera models. FujiFilm has been known for producing a wide range of affordable point-n-shoot cameras over the years, however after a recent report from Amateur Photographer (AP) , it appears that Fuji w...

This scan of a Kodachrome II slide shot with the Nikon Ftn back in 1975 is one of my favorites. Here again, the light makes the shot.

Canon introduces the new compact, ultra-wide EF_M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon has announced the compact, ultra-wide EF-M 11-22mm f/4.5.6 IS STM Lens for their EOS M system cameras. This lens includes Optical Stabilization that reduces blur from camera movement, allowing shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower than would normally be possible without a tripod. Also, Canon used a Dynamic Access IS design to help get better HD movies without camera shake induced blur. This lens can provide focus distances as close as 0.15 Meters (approximately 5.9 inches) and offers a very wide angle view for capturing scenes like landscapes. Canon states this lens was manufactured to Professional standards and uses their Super Spectra Coatings designed to minimize flare and ghosting. Another  feature is that this is a retractable lens design to minimize the size of the lens until being used, with a switch to lock the lens in a retracted position, Canon used a STM focus syste...

Agrigento in the summer of 1972 whe we were able to drive down to the valley of the temples and have a quiet picnic. Today it's mass confusion. Hard to park in the lots and a plethora of buses. Not to mention all the cameras and phones recording any possible object or situation. In one of the photos, there are two young girls who by now are middle aged. Photography has that uncanny ability to freexe moments in time. It's almost scary. BTW, for those who must know, these shots were made with the Canon FT on Kodachrome II.

This is a follow up on the post that bemoaned the almost soulless new tourism and tries to show that at least in Erice, turning the corner can still offer great views end experiences.

Here in these posts, I share what I consider to be my finest work or my best efforts. This shot dates from 2007 and shows the magic of late light in Siena.

A photo of the photographer as a mature man. I simply  love any and  all photos that anyone takes of me. Vanity? Why not..When you are as handsome as me or as full of himself as me or full of BS..you get the point. This is a fine shot that my talented wife, Marcy took, while we were on the vaporetto in Venice. I just like to share it.

Tourism is seen as a way to create economic wellbeing and Italy has always been at the forefront of this phenomenon. What was once the so called  "traditional" tourism that had to include certain places for their cultural and aesthetic values - in short, made up of tourists who were sophisticated and knowledgeable  and who spent much money -  we now have the phenomenon of mass tourism that in many cases is budget tourism. This mass of people has changed traditional places that had  a certain beauty and intrinsic meaning into very touristy places full of so called souvenir shops and inexpensive hotels and restaurants that no longer feature the truly great cuisine and hospitality of the past.  These new tourists get  an image created for them. A look that is basically not real but idealized.  Places lose their identities as they become must see spots for a few hours or a day or so and then it's time to see another such site. Erice has become such a place...

Not only sticker shock, but unavailability for the more popular four thirds market make these pricey lenses DOA. In a world increasingly dominated with Iphones what are they thinking? Of course potting a lens that costs a thousand dollars on a three hundred dollar camera makes no sense as far as the four thirds system is concerned but although Fuji  X system  ree great retro style cameras, they are very pricey and are also not selling very well. Nevertheless it's nice to see designers at work and companies willing to put out these products. Zeiss has  just amade it known  that its first two Touit lenses for mirrorless cameras are now available for sale. The 12mm F2.8 wideangle has been designed according to the 'Distagon optical concept', and has an RRP of €920 / US$1,250 excluding VAT. Meanwhile the Planar-type 32mm F1.8 normal lens will cost €670 / US$900 excluding VAT. The lenses will be available to fit Sony NEX and Fujifilm X-system cameras, and include ...

Shot yesterday at the rose garden of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Enjoy. I hope you have a rosy week.