The small fishing village of Riomaggiore, Italy is nestled in the rugged Italian Riviera coastline on the Gulf of Genoa. Riomaggiore is the easternmost of the five towns of the Cinque Terre – a national park and protected marine area.
In 2018, I spent four enjoyable days in the Cinque Terra region, one of which was spent in the colorful village of Riomaggiore. The picturesque town is vertical, ascending steep rocky slopes rising from the sea. Cobblestone streets and narrow alleys lined with pastel dwellings and shops wind their way to the tops of the mountains.
I explored the village for several hours under warm Mediterranean skies, taking in the savory smells of bread and pasta cooking in kitchens and making friendly conversation with shopkeepers. As a traveler in this town, observing the day-to-day activity of the residents gave me insight into the culture and history of the area in an accessible way larger cities simply can’t provide.
After touring the village, I sought to create an image that captured my experience of both the colors and geography of the town. I made my way to the waterfront and navigated the large rocks that extend into the tiny harbor as a protective breakwater. With the tips of my tripod legs anchored, I secured my position. From this vantage point, my line of sight was directly into the center of the village, encompassing the vertical span of waterfront to the mountain top.
Riomaggiore
These are the technical details for the image:
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