11/11/2025
Do you know what you’re looking at?
This time it’s easy, I’ve stepped out of my usual “Beautiful! But what is it?” mode.
The shot was taken in Trentino, northern Italy. Looks like a map, doesn’t it?
It was one of the first cold days of early November. As I got out of the car, I noticed half the lake in shadow and half in sunlight.
Maybe I’ll find something good today, I thought.
I followed the path around the lake, scanning the ground and tree trunks, especially where the bark had just fallen.
Many roots were sticking out of the soil, but they were dirty and dull, useless for me.
A quarter of the way around, a colorful patch at the edge of my vision made a small bell ring in my head.
It always happens like this: I look everywhere, and then something pulls me in.
A tree with patches of color on its bark, surrounded by deep black. Beautiful, I thought. This might be it.
I took my second camera with the telephoto lens, set it gently on the grass, and began mounting the tripod.
That part is never fast; it’s all about fine adjustments until the frame feels right. My old tripod has learned some contortionist poses over the years.
At f/16 everything important was in focus, so no need for focus stacking.
I took a few shots, choosing different spots on the bark.
While I worked, a group of kids, adults, and cautious dogs passed by, so I quickly grabbed my second camera from the shore, just in case.
Later, I found a bench in the sun. It was warm there, and two curious lizards climbed onto me, taking a little trip over my boot and sleeve. That never happens; usually they vanish instantly.
The second half of the lake held no surprises, so I went back to the car and packed up.
Today I’m bringing home a good catch. It doesn’t happen every time, of course.
Would you like this beauty in your home or office?
Find me here https://linktr.ee/gcasetti
Thank you!
Beauty heals.
Gio
